Abstract: An improved optical printer utilizes four film magazines of identical construction for selectively supplying photographic film to, and receiving photographic film from, the housing and film transport of a photographic film handling apparatus, such as a camera or a projector. Each magazine has a magazine housing which is releasably attachable to the housing of the film handling apparatus. An electric motor is mounted on the magazine housing in order to drive a film reel or takeup device therein. The electric motor is releasably connected to an electric power source mounted on a stationary structure on which the film handling apparatus housing is disposed. .

Abstract: The projector and the camera in an optical image printer are of identical elementary construction, at least as far as the projector and camera housings and their film transports are concerned.Alternatively or additionally, the optical image printer includes four identical film magazines which are mounted in first and second pairs, respectively, on the projector and camera housings.

Abstract: A mechanism for advancing film relative to a film aperture is releasably mounted for movement between an active position at the film aperture and a passive position spaced from the film aperture and enabling threading of film relative to the film aperture.

Abstract: Photographic film handling apparatus, such as projectors or cameras, include an aperture located in a plane, and a film advancing mechanism mounted at the film aperture and including a first pin for intermittently advancing the photographic film past the film aperture, and a second pin for registering the film relative to the film aperture between successive intermittent advancements. These pins, and any mounting brackets therefor, are all located outside and to one side of the aperture as seen in a direction extending perpendicularly to the plane of the aperture.

Abstract: An improved light composer for use in duplicating film which illuminates each frame of film with an even and thoroughly diffused source of light delivered over a distance in order to prevent the replication of scratches and other surface imperfections in the master copy. The improved light diffuser comprises a light mixer with two opposed ends. The surface of the mixer is optically rough but reflective. A means for scattering light typically covers one of the ends of the mixer. Such means may be a plurality of clear lenses, each having a focal length substantially less than the length of the mixer. In such a case, light is refracted by a plurality of lenses and propagates along the length of the mixer by means of a multiplicity of reflections, whereby a plane opposed to the plurality of lenses is illuminated by a thoroughly diffused and even source of light. One or more scattering means may be combined into a plurality of stages with shutters to produce fades and dissolves on the duplicate copy of film.