A photodetector is provided with two light sources and a light sensitive component. The use of two light sources significantly reduces the opportunity of a surface feature, or abnormality, from focusing light back toward the light sensitive component in a manner that could possible cause the photodetector to misinterpret the intensified light as being indicative of the absence of an object in the detection zone. The light sources and light sensitive component can be arranged along an axis which is either parallel to the path of the objects to be detected or perpendicular to their path.