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Is a lens like the one below actually available?
enter image description here

This is a screenshot from a movie. The photographer in the movie uses this lens to covertly photograph the scene happening to his right using this lens.

So I was curious to know whether this type of lens is actually available? If available what is the name for these kind of lens and their features?

mattdm
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vivek_jonam
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3 Answers3

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Sure, they are called Angle Mirror Lenses

You can buy one here: http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Voyeur-Right-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000F49052

Although I must say they are a bit creepy, even the product name is creepy... You'd do better to learn to interact with the people you want to photograph.

Davy Landman
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  • So it's not a lens as-such but an attachment that goes on the front of another lens? I also figure any photo taken with this will be flipped horizontally. If it's important (if there's any writing in the image such as a sign), it'll need flipping back in PP. – Mike Aug 15 '12 at 11:30
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    Product description is very creepy: This lens can be a valuable asset when shooting still pictures at the beach, pool, and other public places. – fredley Aug 15 '12 at 11:48
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    If you have a front-rotating lens, this can be a joy to use... – Davy Landman Aug 15 '12 at 12:06
4

It's not a lens as such, it's just a right-angle mirror in an adapter that fits onto the filter ring of a lens. It's just a mirror in a tube, really. There's usually a plain piece of glass or a really cheap plastic lens element in the front of the tube to make it look more like a lens front the front.

It may be called a "right-angle mirror lens hood" or a "super spy lens"; it's very widely available and made by a number of manufacturers in a number of sizes to fit different lenses. They range in price from about $US 25 to $US 100, depending on the maker and the size. The Photodiox brand is available through Amazon. It's also available from a number of makers on eBay and from specialty online retailers like photojojo.com.

2

Yes, this looks like "The Super-Secret Spy Lens" which you can attach to your existing lens and shoot on a 90° angle.

Miljenko Barbir
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