Your Question Answered:

Is is possible to determine what the C.A.S Code signifies through a visual inspection of the 35 mm film cassette? What about the Magazine Barcode?

Editor's Note: This article is in response to requests by many of our readers to know more about the information presented in our last issue which addressed the meaning of the markings on a 35mm film cassette.

C.A.S. Code

When a roll of film is loaded into a camera, electrical contacts inside the camera may read up to 12 separate sensing areas contained within the C.A.S. Code (Camera Auto Sensing) pattern on the cartridge. (Note: The number of actual sensing areas utilized by a particular camera vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer and model to model.) The camera utilizes these to determine film speed, number of exposures and exposure latitude. To visually interpret the code; first orient the cart-ridge so that the Magazine Barcode is above the C.A.S. Code as shown in the film magazine illustration. The checkerboard pattern (black and silver) contains twelve blocks in two rows of six each, the top row contains block numbers 1 through 6 (left to right) and the bottom row 7 through 12 as numbered and drawn on the cassette illustration at right.

The 12 blocks contain the following information:

Blocks 1 and 7

Common Ground Contact Areas (Always Silver)

Blocks 2 through 6

ISO Speed

Blocks 8 through 10

Number of Exposures

Blocks 11 and 12

Exposure Range or Latitude

Magazine Barcode

The Magazine Barcode contains a five digit unique product identification number (from which the DX code may be calculated), and a single digit which indicates the number of full frame exposures. To read the barcode, turn the cartridge 180° so that the C.A.S. Code is now above the Magazine Barcode. Below the barcode is a six digit human readable representation of the barcode. A DX code is composed of two parts; a "Product" code and a "Specifier" code. An example is the DX code 66-11 which is the specific DX code for 3M/Scotch ATG 200 (2) film. To calculate the DX code from the Magazine Barcode, divide the first five digits of the code by 16, this will yield whole numbers and a decimal fraction. The whole numbers will indicate the "Product" code portion of the DX code. Take the remaining decimal fraction and multiply it by 16 to obtain the "Specifier" code.

Example: 3M/Scotch ATG 200 (2), 24 exposure film, DX Code 66-11

Magazine Barcode on the film cassette: "010673"

Product and Specifier Codes are determined from the first five digits which are "01067" and number of frames from the last digit which is "3" ("3" denotes a 24 exp. roll, more on that later)

"Product" Code: 01067 ÷ 16 = 66.6875 Product Code "66"

Remember, only the whole numbers indicate the Product Code, which in this example is "66", and the decimal remainder is then used to determine the Specifier Code.

"Specifier" Code: .6875 X 16 = 11 Specifier Code "11"

DX Code: 66-11, which is the correct DX code for 3M/Scotch ATG 200 (2) color print film

The remaining digit in the barcode, in this example "3", indicates the number of exposures based on the following table.

Number	Exposures	Number	Exposures
0=	1-8 exp.	5=	9-11 exp.
1=	12 exp.	6=	13-17 exp.
2=	20 exp.	7=	25-29 exp.
3=	24 exp.	8=	30-35 exp.
4=	36	9=	37+ exp.

A New Team Member

We would like to introduce to you a new 3M Photo Color Systems Division's photographic technical service representative who brings to the team extensive knowledge of process and print quality control.

Alan Pollock has recently joined 3M after serving 14 years in various positions in the photo finishing industry. His areas of expertise include print and process quality management. He has also conducted quality control seminars in many areas of the country over the last five years. Starting with this issue, Alan takes on the responsibility of Writer/ Editor for the 3M LabLine publication. Alan is a graduate of St. Cloud State University and enjoys camping fish-ing and other outdoor activities.

Late Fall 1993

3M LabLine is published quarterly by 3M Photo Color Systems Division for photo finishing laboratories in the United States and Canada.

Writer/Editor: Alan Pollock

Design, layout and production supervision: Paul Deák Design

We welcome your comments and suggestions. Write us at 3M LabLine, 3M Center Bldg. 235-3C-23, St. Paul, MN, 55144-1000, or call us at 800/233-8579.

"Scotch" is a registered trademark of 3M.

3M LabLine