The persistent photoinduced changes in the critical temperatureTCand the normal state conductivity of(Y0.5Ca0.5)Ba2Cu3O&dgr;thin films are studied. Previously such effects have been observed only in underdopedYBa2Cu3O&dgr;orYSrxBa2−xCu3O&dgr;,which always lead to the enhancement of bothTCand conductivity. The current system can be doped from the underdoped regime to the overdoped regime by increasing its oxygen content. The photoinducedTCreduction in the overdoped films is observed. The simultaneous enhancement of conductivity is consistent with the interpretation that photoillumination always increases hole concentration in the “123” systems. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.