Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing prints of different formats from negatives in the form of strips. The negative images are printed in one reproduction scale on one section of a strip of stock during a first pass of the strip through the printing mechanism, the printing mechanism is readjusted, and the negative images are then printed in another, different scale on a subsequent section of the strip of stock during another pass of the strip through the printing mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for convoluting exposed and copied photographic films on the cores of takeup reels has an advancing mechanism which transports successive films along a given path so that the leaders of successive films can be engaged by the gripper of a pivotable arm serving to transfer the leader of the film in the path toward the peripheral surface of the core of an empty takeup reel. The reel has no flanges or is provided with a single flange carrying or adjacent a fixedly mounted or movable protuberance which defines with the peripheral surface of the core a gap for the leader of the film. Once the leader has entered the gap and the takeup reel is set in rotary motion, the film is wound onto the protuberance and is thus affixed to the core. The length of the protuberance is less than the axial length of the core but exceeds one-fourth of such axial length.

Abstract: A photographic copying machine wherein the images of successive frames on a long roll of spliced-together exposed and developed customer films are copied while successive films are advanced stepwise from a supply reel on a first driven mandrel toward and is convoluted on a takeup reel on a second driven mandrel. The copying machine employs a third mandrel which can support a fresh roll in the plane of the roll on the first mandrel, and a fourth mandrel which can support an empty takeup reel in the plane of the rotating takeup reel. The leader of the fresh roll is located adjacent the film path ahead of the copying station and is automatically advanced into the range of an automatic attaching mechanism when the trailing end of the expiring roll has advanced beyond the copying station. The attaching mechanism secures the leader of the fresh roll to the core of the empty takeup reel, and the machine is then ready to make copies of frames forming part of the fresh roll.

Abstract: A photographic printer or developing machine has a station for processing photographic material. A station for accommodating a mobile, carriage-like cassette in an operative position is disposed adjacent to the processing station on either side thereof. One of the operative stations receives a take-off cassette carrying a reel of photographic material to be processed while the other operative station receives a take-up cassette. An additional station for holding a replacement cassette in a ready position is located next to each of the operative stations. A propelling mechansm for pushing a cassette out of its operative position is provided at each operative station as is a drawing mechanism for pulling a replacement cassette from the ready position to the operative position.

Abstract: A photographic printing or developing machine has a station for processing bands of photographic material. The processing station has an inlet side and an outlet side. A first station provided with several receiving areas for wheeled take-off cassettes carrying coild bands of photographic material is located adjacent to the inlet side. A second station provided with several receiving areas for wheeled, empty take-up cassettes is disposed adjacent to the outlet side. The first and second stations each have a mechanism for conveying and guiding bands of photographic material between the processing station and the various receiving areas. Furthermore, a detecting mechanism is located at each receiving area and the detecting mechanism, as well as the conveying and guiding mechanism, are connected to an electronic control unit. In operation, a loaded take-off cassette is positioned at each receiving area of the first station and an empty take-up cassette is positioned at each receiving area of the second station.

Abstract: Apparatus for convoluting a web of photographic paper issuing from a copying machine onto a core of a cassette which is movable to a predetermined position with reference to the machine has an operating device which can deactivate the web catcher mechanism in the cassette in response to detection of adequate attachment of the leader of the web to the core. The catcher mechanism serves to guide the leader of the web into engagement with the core and is activated on movement of the cassette to its predetermined position. The circuit which monitors the engagement between the leader of the web and the core compares the peripheral speed of the core with that of a rotor which is installed in the machine and whose peripheral speed is lower than that of the core prior to completion of attachment of the web to the core.

Abstract: A camera wherein the synchronizing switch which fires the flash unit can be moved by a first lever which gradually increases the f/stop or by a second lever which constitutes the armature of the shutter-closing electromagnet, depending upon whether the first lever reaches a predetermined position corresponding to a maximum f/stop prior to deenergization of the electromagnet or vice versa. The respective lever then moves a mobile contact of the synchronizing switch against a fixed contact. The switch is opened in response to cocking of the shutter.

Abstract: The shutter mechanism includes an aperture-unblocking member mounted for movement between an unactivated aperture-blocking position and an activated aperture-unblocking position. A cocked drive mechanism is coupled to the aperture-unblocking member and is operative when released for moving the member from the unactivated to the activated position. An inertial braking mechanism is driven by the drive mechanism when the latter moves the aperture-unblocking member to the activated position, and is operative during such movement for applying to the drive mechanism an inertial braking force slowing the movement of the aperture-unblocking member to the activated position. The drive mechanism includes a drive cam, and the inertial braking mechanism includes a driven cam. The surface of the drive cam bears upon the surface of the driven cam and transmits to the driven cam the drive force by means of which the drive mechanism drives the inertial braking mechanism.