ISO 12612:1997
(Main)Cinematography — Interchange of post-production materials
Cinematography — Interchange of post-production materials
Cinématographie — Échange de matériaux post-production
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL Is0
STANDARD 12612
First edition
1997-06-I 5
Cinematography - Interchange of
post-production materials
Cinhma tographie - khange de matkiaux post-production
Reference number
IS0 12612: 1997(E)
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IS0 12612:1997(E)
Foreword
IS0 (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide
federation of national standards bodies (IS0 member bodies). The work of
preparing International Standards is normally carried out through IS0
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which
a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented
on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-
governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. IS0
collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are
circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an International
Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting
a vote.
International Standard IS0 12612 was prepared by Technical Committee
ISOmC 36, Cinematography.
Annexes A and B of this International Standard are for information only.
0 IS0 1997
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced
or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and
microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher.
International Organization for Standardization
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Printed in Switzerland
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD @ IS0 IS0 12612:1997(E)
Interchange of post-production
Cinematography -
materials
1 Scope
1 .l This International Standard specifies certain parameters and technical characteristics of post-production
motion-picture materials used in the international exchange of 35 mm and 70 mm picture and sound elements.
1.2 This International Standard further specifies a method for the evaluation of picture-image quality based on a
standardized test image contained in the post-production picture elements.
2 Normative references
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this
International Standard. At the time of publication, the editions indicated were valid. All standards are subject to
revision, and parties to agreements based on this International Standard are encouraged to investigate the
possibility of applying the most recent editions of the standards indicated below. Members of IEC and IS0 maintain
registers of currently valid International Standards.
- Part: 2: Geometric conditions for transmission density.
IS0 5-2: 1991, Photography - Density measurements
IS0 53:1995, Photography - Density measurements - Part 3: Spectral conditions.
Head gaps and sound records for three-,
IS0 162:1985, Cinematography - four-, or six-track magnetic sound
records on 35 mm and single-track on 17,5 mm motion-picture film containing no picture - Positions and width
dimensions.
35 mm motion-picture film and magnetic film - Cutting and perforating
IS0 491 :I 995, Cinematography -
dimensions.
IS0 1039:1995, Cinematography - Cores for motion picture and magnetic film rolls - Dimensions.
Image area produced by 65 and 70 mm motion-picture camera aperture and
IS0 2467:1980, Cinematography -
maximum projectable image area on 70 mm motion-picture prints - Positions and dimensions.
IS0 2906: 1984, Cinematography - Image area produced by camera aperture on 35 mm motion-picture film -
Position and dimensions.
IS0 2907:1984, Cinematography - Maximum projectable image area on 35 mm motion-picture film - Position and
dimensions.
IS0 2910:1990, Cinematography - Screen luminance for the projection of motion-picture prints in indoor theatres
and review rooms.
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IS0 12612:1997(E)
IS0 3023: 1995, Cinematography - 65 mm and 70 mm unexposed motion-picture film - Cutting and perforating
dimensions.
IS0 4241 :I 987, Cinematography - Leaders and run-out trailers for 35 mm and 16 mm release prints -
Specifications.
IS0 4834:1986, Cinematography - Magnetic sound test films excluding striped release prints - Basic technical
characteristics.
IS0 5758: 1987, Cinematography - Labelling of containers for motion-picture film and magnetic materials -
Minimum information for exchange of materials.
IS0 6038: 1993, Cinematography - Splices for use on 70 mm, 65 mm, 35 mm and 16 mm motion-picture films -
Dimensions and locations.
IS0 9525: 1988, Cinematography - Recording head gaps for two sound records on 17,s mm magnetic film -
Positions and width dimensions.
3 Requirements for post-production picture elements
3.1 Cutting and perforating dimensions
Cutting and perforating dimensions for photographic films shall be in accordance with the International Standards
given in 3.1 .I to 3.1.3.
3.1.1 For 35 mm original negatives, master positives and duplicate negatives: IS0 491 (preferred Type N
perforation and 4,74 mm perforation pitch).
3.1.2 For 35 mm projection prints: IS0 491 (Type P perforation and 4,75 mm perforation pitch).
3.1.3 For 65 mm original negatives, master positives and duplicate negatives and for 70 mm projection prints:
IS0 3023.
3.2 Position and dimensions of picture areas
Position and dimensions of picture areas shall be in accordance with the International Standards given in 3.2.1 and
3.2.2.
3.2.1 For 35 mm: IS0 2906 and IS0 2907.
3.2.2 For 65 mm and 70 mm: IS0 2467.
3.3 Splices
Splices shall be in accordance with IS0 6038.
3.4 Requirements for photographic characteristics
The photographic characteristics of post-production picture materials to be interchanged shall be evaluated using
densitometric measurements of a test image which is spliced into the original picture rolls and reproduced through
the successive stages of duplication.
The control method is based upon the Laboratory Aim Density system (LAD system) (see clause A.1 for a reference
concerning the implementation of this system), which assigns specific density values to a control patch in a test
,
image which is spliced into the original camera film, and is then read at each
stage throughout the sequence to the
projection print. All scenes within the motion picture are graded (timed) relative to the test image which is
considered as a “perfect” scene.
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IS0 12612:1997(E)
chosen so that the print-through equivalent ne lutral densities on each film in the post-
Density aim values are
production sequence fall approximately at the mid-point of the straight I ine portion of that film’s characteristic curves.
This achieves the following two objectives.
information is placed on the linear
Most significant picture portion of the duplicating film’s characteristic curve,
a)
carrying a maximum of highlight and shadow information.
b) A neutral grey scale is maintained throughout the post-production, aiding, in colour grading (timing).
A suitable LAD control image begins as a camera image incorporating a uniform neutral patch of sufficient size for
convenient densitometric measurements. This patch may be positioned within a scene suitable for subjective
evaluation. An 18 % reflectance grey card under scene illumination is usually appropriate. This LAD control image is
spliced into the roll of original negative as specified in 3.5.3.
Ultimately, picture quality will be reviewed subjectively, but within the tolerances of normal film, printer and process
variability, and the characteristics of specific duplicating film systems, objective measurements of the LAD system
assist in readily obtaining consistent duplicates with good tone and colour reproduction characteristics.
3.4.1 Densitometry
The densities of all picture materials intended for reproduction shall be measured using IS0 standard diffuse
status M transmission densitometry (IS0 5-2 and IS0 5-3). Densities of picture materials intended for viewing by
projection shall be measured using IS0 standard diffuse status A transmission densitometry.
3.4.2 Density of the original camera negative LAD test image (LAD control patch)
The densities of the LAD control patch (see clause A.2) shall be chosen to be representative of the centre of scene
density range normally obtained on a modern (colour-masked) colour negative film with normal exposure and
processing.
3.4.3 Density of the LAD test image in master positive
.
Id be printed to the centre of the usable straight-line portion of the duplicating
The LAD control patch shou film .
These aim densities are spec ified by the fil m manufacturer for the partic ular duplicating stock.
3.4.4 Density of the LAD test image in duplicate negative
The LAD control patch should be printed according to the aim densities specified by the film manufacturer for the
particular duplicating stock. These densities are normally near the centre of the usable straight-line portion of the
characteristic curve, but may be different from those specified for the master positive in order to aid intercutability
with original camera negatives and to facilitate high-speed printing.
3.4.5 Density of the LAD test image in projection print
The LAD control patch should be printed to a neutral grey of 1,OO density (1,OO equivalent neutral density) on the
print. The status A densities corresponding to a 1,OO neutral grey are specified by the film manufacturer, and will
depend upon the dyes in the print film and the viewing illumination in accordance with IS0 2910.
3.5 Leaders for picture materials
3.5.6 Head and tail leaders for picture materials shall be in accordance with IS0 4241.
3.5.2 A synchronizing mark, clearly identified as “Head Sync”, shall be placed on the “Picture Gate” frame (frame
192) of the head leader.
3.5.3 The test image referred to in 3.4 shall be located in or before the head leader in a position which ensures that
the printing machine has reached full and steady speed when the test image is exposed. It is recommended that the
test image replaces from one to six of the head leader frames 97 to 102.
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IS0 12612:1997(E)
3.5.4 Additional requirements for head and tail leaders are subject to agreement between the parties involved,
4 Requirements for post-production sound elements
4.1 Cutting and perforating dimensions
Cutting and perforating dimensions for 35 mm magnetic recording films shall be in accordance with IS0 491
(Type P perforation and 4,75 mm perforation pitch).
NOTE - The use of 17,5 mm magnetic film is permissible only by prior agreement between all parties involved.
4.2 Position, dimensions and track assignments
Position, dimensions and track assignments of sound tracks shall be in accordance with IS0 162 for 35 mm
magnetic film and IS0 9525 for 17,5 mm magnetic film.
4.3 Nominal velocity
The nominal velocity of 35 mm magnetic sound records shall be in agreement with the intended projection frame
rate of the accompanying picture, normally 24 frames per second which is equivalent to 96 perforation holes per
second or approximately 45,6 cm/s.
4.4 Recordings
Recordings shall be made on magnetic film containing no splices. No more than two editorial splices shall be
allowed in any roll of magnetic film.
4.5 Sound records to be interchanged for making monophonic release prints (see clause A.3)
be recorded using
By agreement between the parties involved, sound records shall
- a one-track standard on separate magnetic film;
- a three- or four-track standard on a single magnetic film.
hree-track magnetic film with the following track
4.5.1 Three sound records shall be recorded on a single t
assi
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