Abstract: A sheet feed apparatus for a copying machine comprises a cassette for holding a stack of sheets to be fed. The cassette is in the form of an open-topped housing containing a base plate for supporting the stack of sheets. A handle is provided which is coupled to a mechanism for raising, preferably tilting, at least part of the base plate right out of the cassette housing to facilitate loading sheets within the tight tolerances of the cassette housing. A rear registration guide and a pair of relatively small side guides are provided which do not impede stack loading but allow the stack to be positioned sufficiently accurately that when the handle--and hence the base plate--is lowered the stack is able to enter the cassette housing without further adjustment.