Results of photoconductivity (PC) rise-decay and excitation spectra, optical absorption spectra and photovoltaic (PV) studies are presented for some (Cd-Zn)S & (Cd-Pb)S films, prepared in presence of CdCl2 as flux and La & Pr as impurities. The nature of rise and decay curves are discussed and values of lifetime, mobility and trap depth are presented. Lifetime & mobility improve in presence of impurities, which may be responsible factors for high sensitization in photoconductivity. Band gaps of the materials are evaluated from PC excitation spectra and optical absorption spectra. Values of short circuit current (I-sc), open circuit voltage (V-oc)(,) fill factor and efficiency corresponding to PV studies are also presented. Efficiencies of the order of 3.12-3.71% are found. (C) 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.