Color balanced scratch suppressing projection apparatus for color transparencies

A color balanced scratch suppressing projection apparatus for color transparencies includes an objective lens having a rectangular aperture and defining first and second conjugate planes. An integrating bar having a rectangular cross section and first and second end faces is located with its first end face adjacent the first conjugate plane of the objective lens. A condenser lens, disposed between the first conjugate plane and the first end face of the integrating bar forms an image of the rectangular aperture on the second end face of the bar. The linear dimensions of the image of the rectangular aperture are an even multiple of the dimensions of the second end face. In one embodiment of the invention, the projection apparatus is a color transparency scanner, a flying spot light source such as a CRT is located at the second conjugate plane of the objective lens, and a plurality of color photosensors are located at the second end face of the integrating bar. In an alternative embodiment, the projection apparatus is a color projection printer, a photosensitive print medium is located at the second conjugate plane of the objective lens, and a plurality of colored light sources are located at the second end of the integrating bar.