Abstract: In the exposure beam path of a copy master which may have various formats, a four element variable objective is provided with stationary rear and front elements and variable intermediate elements. The rear element is arranged in a carousel-like automatic changer and may be replaced together with a master masks. A control device performs, by means of step motors and spindles, the automatic adjustment of the intermediate elements of the variable objective as a function of a particular master format set, in a manner such that the area of the copy master exposed to the copying light is automatically adapted to the master format.

Abstract: In a production line for photographic copies the individual sheets leaving the copy portion of the production line are distributed over a plurality of output conveyors and transported in accordance to a predetermined distribution pattern through a subsequent wet treatment and drying station. For facilitating subsequent collection of copies by order, a separation mark in the form of a deviation from the predetermined distribution pattern is inserted between separate orders on said output conveyors. The separation marks may be detected after the wet treatment station by a light barrier sensing device or the like, and used for controlling automatic sorting devices to collect copies by order.