Abstract: Clamping of edges of flexible workpieces to a support surface is improved by creating a region of reduced pressure proximate the edges, by shaping air conduits so that they narrow in the edge regions.

Abstract: A high resolution photographic system has a lens, a camera body, a bellows connecting the lens to the camera body, a ground glass designed for use with a microscope for focusing on the aerial image, a magazine configured to store a roll of film, wherein the magazine provides a pneumatic suction of a 9″×18″ frame of the film to a back of the magazine, two supports configured to connect to the camera body at a point coincident with the central horizontal axis of the negative allowing the camera body to tilt a user defined amount, a connection plate configured to connect each of the two supports, wherein the connection plate provides a swivel attachment for horizontal rotation of the camera body relative to the lens, a support rod attached to the connection plate, wherein the support has a bellows support and a front standard, a mirror alignment device, and a tripod which supports the rest of the photographic system.

Abstract: A film support and feed system of a camera includes a pressure plate, a film feed mechanism which moves the film frame in a space in front of the pressure plate, a film suction mechanism which brings the film frame into intimate contact with the pressure plate by vacuum aspiration, a reversible motor, and an associating mechanism which selectively associates the reversible motor with either the film feed mechanism or the film suction mechanism in accordance with a direction of rotation of the reversible motor. The reversible motor is associated with the film feed mechanism by the associating mechanism to operate the film feed mechanism when the reversible motor is driven to rotate in a forward direction, or to operate the film suction mechanism when the reversible motor is driven to rotate in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A film support and feed system of a camera includes a pressure plate, a film feed mechanism which moves the film frame in a space in front of the pressure plate, a film suction mechanism which brings the film frame into intimate contact with the pressure plate by vacuum aspiration, a reversible motor, and an associating mechanism which selectively associates the reversible motor with either the film feed mechanism or the film suction mechanism in accordance with a direction of rotation of the reversible motor. The reversible motor is associated with the film feed mechanism by the associating mechanism to operate the film feed mechanism when the reversible motor is driven to rotate in a forward direction, or to operate the film suction mechanism when the reversible motor is driven to rotate in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for flattening photographic film at the time of picture-taking involves applying a force-field to a photographic film made responsive to said force field to attract it against a reference surface. The force field may be electric, magnetic, AC, DC, or a combination of these.

Abstract: The invention prevents film displacement without sacrificing the speedy photographic characteristics during the time of continuous photography. A part to prevent film displacement is moved to one of a contact position with a film and a removed position from the film. The part to prevent film displacement prevents a film displacement toward the direction of advancing film at the contact position. A driving device drives the part to prevent the film displacement. The photography control device carries out one time photography and the film advancement during the single mode setting and carries out the operation of photography and the film advancement alternately and repeatedly during the release operation. During the continuous photography mode setting, the device to control the film displacement controls the driving device and placed the part to prevent film displacement in the removed position only at the time of the film advancement after photography.