PURPOSE: To prevent generation of black frame, black rim etc. in reproduced picture and to obtain a reproduced picture of high quality by making the optical system movable to read a picture inside of regular picture area.

CONSTITUTION: A beltlike microfilm 3 contained in the microfilm cartridge 1 of a microfilm reader is pulled out by a driving system and wound on a subcartridge 2. Light from a light source 4 is irradiated on the film 3, and the light passed through the film 3 is projected on the image forming face of a light receiving sensor through a lens 5, and an electric signal corresponding to incident light is outputted. A corner mark 32, a picture area 33 in the case where the picture is formed as prescribed and an area 71 inside by specified amount of the area 33 are formed for outline 31 of one frame of the film 3. The optical system consisting of the sensor 6 and lens 5 is moved to a position of sensor 6', lens 5', and the area 71 inside of the prescribed area 33 is read correctly. Thus, generation of black frame, black rim etc. on the reproduced picture can be prevented.