In article <[email protected]>, Kris <[email protected]> wrote: > Has anyone else done this? This is too much technology for me, > apparently. I've been futzing with it for over a month now and am not > even close to something that works. I either get a blast of light > that washes out everything, or just darkness because the light doesn't > seem to be coming through the lens? > > Buying one is not an option. > > http://www.us-census.org/resources/homemade.htm Kris- I have not tried this, but it sounds like a problem with lens alignment. Once you get it right, it may continue to work OK. Also try any other lens or magnifying glass you come across. One thing that might help, would be to tape a single layer of white paper over the end of the flashlight. That would act like a diffusor, and might even-out the illumination of the film. Unfortunately it also reduces the amount of light reaching the film. What the home made reader is trying to duplicate, is a film projector, much like an enlarger. Since digital photography has made the amateur darkroom somewhat obsolete, you should be able to find a good deal on a used film enlarger. I see them fairly often on Craigslist.com. You might luck-out and get one for free. I haven't looked at EBay, but they should be available there as well. Fred