Imaging device and method for imaging photosensitive media of different formats

An imaging device adapted to image photosensitive media of different formats, the imaging device comprising:

• a first media gate for a first photosensitive media of a first format, said first media gate being located at an optical axis and having a first aperture through which a light beam can pass;
• and
• a second media gate for a second photosensitive media of a second format, said second media gate being located at said optical axis and having a second aperture through which the light beam can pass;
• wherein:
• said first and second media gates are film gates;
• one of said first photosensitive media and said second photosensitive media is 35 mm film, such that one of said first and second media gates is a 35 mm film gate, and the other of said first photosensitive media and second photosensitive media is APS film, such that the other of said first and second media gates is an APS film gate;
• said 35 mm film gate is located upstream of said APS film gate with respect to a direction of the light beam along the optical axis;
• and
• a length of said 35 mm gate, and a length of an aperture of said 35 mm film gate are extended to maintain a path of the light beam from said 35 mm film gate to said APS film gate substantially within an aperture of said APS film gate.

An imaging device adapted to image photosensitive media of different formats, the imaging device comprising:

• a first media gate for a first photosensitive media of a first format, said first media gate being located at an optical axis and have a first aperture through which a light beam can pass;
• a second media gate for a second photosensitive media of a second format, said second media gate being located at said optical axis and have a second aperture through which the light beam can pass;
• and
• a first clamping mechanism for clamping said first photosensitive media at said first media gate, and a second clamping mechanism for clamping said second-photosensitive media at said second media gate.

A method of imaging photosensitive media of different formats, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a first media gate at an optical axis;
• positioning a second media gate at said optical axis and downstream of said first media gate with respect to a direction of a beam of light along the optical axis;
• and
• conveying a first photosensitive media of a first format along a first media path and across said first media gate, and a second photosensitive media of a second format along a second media path and across said second media gate.

A method of imaging photosensitive media of different formats, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a first media gate at an optical axis;
• positioning a second media gate at said optical axis and downstream of said first media gate with respect to a direction of a beam of light along the optical axis;
• and
• conveying a first photosensitive media of a first format across said first media gate, and a second photosensitive media of a second format across said second media gate;
• wherein:
• said first photosensitive media is 35 mm film and said first media gate is a 35 mm film gate, and said second photosensitive film is APS film and said second media gate is an APS film gate;
• and
• a length of an aperture of said 35 mm film gate is extended beyond a standard size for 35 mm film, to maintain a path of the beam of light between the 35 mm film gate and the APS film gate substantially within an aperture of the APS film gate when the light beam reaches the APS film gate.

A scanner for scanning photosensitive film of different formats, the scanner comprising:

• an illumination source for directing a beam of light along an optical axis;
• a first film gate for film of a first format, said first film gate having a first aperture of a first size and being located at said optical axis;
• and
• a second film gate for film of a second format, said second film gate having a second aperture of a second size which is smaller than said first size, said second film gate being located at said optical axis downstream of said first film gate with respect to a direction of said light beam;
• wherein a length of said first aperture permits a path of the light beam between said first film gate and said second film gate to converge in as it approaches the second film gate, such that the light beam is substantially within the second aperture of the second film gate when the light beam reaches the second film gate.