aaron emanuel litvinoff Posted April 27, 2003 Share Posted April 27, 2003 I read in a book that many photographers use an attachment on their lens to take discreet portraits without people knowing. The attachment, which pushes over the normal camera lens, appears to be a telephoto lens. However, it allows pictures to be taken at right angles through a mirror placed in a hole in the side of the "lens" barrel. I have had trouble finding mentions of these dummy lenses on the net, yet I need to buy one but I don't know what to ask for. Somebody told me of a "Mirro-Tach", however when typed into a search engine this name yields no results. I would appreciate if somebody could tell me a model name or manufacturer of such a device. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h._p. Posted April 27, 2003 Share Posted April 27, 2003 I had one of these and found it to be rather a washout. The theory is fine but I found I spent so much time messing about with the thing that I might as well have held up a big placard saying "I'm taking YOUR photo"!<p> These days I find that letting the camera sit on my chest with my hand casually on the shutter button works nicely. I also spend a little time just looking for shots of people who are too interested in what they're doing to notice me.<p> <img src="http://www.photo.net/photodb/image-display?photo_id=1376627&size=md"><p> <b>Man on a bus</b> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
art_haykin Posted April 27, 2003 Share Posted April 27, 2003 YEARS ago, a firm named Spirotone used to sell such an attachment, but it never really caught on. If you are at all handy, you can make your own fairly easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pen name above Posted April 27, 2003 Share Posted April 27, 2003 Hi Aaron, Check the year of publication of the book. You might not find any contemporary candid photographers swearing by the utility of a mirror-lens attachment. I too longed for one, however only to warp the mirror in order to emulate Andre Kertesz' beautiful distortions... You might be interested in using a right-angle attachment for your viewfinder, instead of a right-angle mirror attachment. Perhaps not the same principle, however of marginal benefit, like the mirror attachment. I use one for a Contax S2b (these are readily marketed by Kyocera-Contax). There is no additional optical surface in the light path. However in use, the image 'flickers' according to eye-level and angle of viewing. The rate of working becomes slower as well. The lens is still directed parallel to the subject, however it can be operated at chest-level (waist-level is an exaggeration perhaps) or overhead. I imagined I was fairly adept at using it and was pleased at how discrete it was. A friend recently told me I looked even more suspicious and odd. I am now revising its utility.... No doubt if you asked SRB Filters in England, they would entertain your request. (they also make 8 point starburst filters by the way). Not wishing to deter you outright (please don't buy it), I would be inclined to agree with the previous posts. Kind regards, Jason On second thoughts, perhaps you won't be interested.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron c sunshine coast,qld,a Posted April 27, 2003 Share Posted April 27, 2003 I've seen heaps of these in pawnshops over the years.If you can't find one i think one of the local shops here has one right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oleg_kosyakovsky Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 It's on Adorama catalog ($44.95): http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=details&sid=103849774118956930&sku=LNMS46 Oleg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffpolaski Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 With a 50mm or shorter lens, hold the camera at your waist level, pretend to be fiddling with it or something, point it to the side or wherever your subject is, and take several frames. It works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron emanuel litvinoff Posted April 28, 2003 Author Share Posted April 28, 2003 thanks very much indeed guys, a lot of helpful responses. Happy photo taking, good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_lofquist Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 Like Harvey said, don't put the camera to your eye, but just make it look like you are fooling with it and "accidently" fire off a shot or two. Of course a wide angle lens with good depth of field will help. (I like the Nikkor AF 35mm f/2) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ_butner___portland__or Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 They were called "sneeky Pete" attachments. I have found that honesty and sincerity allow me to shoot just about anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prof-K Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Pentax used to make one for their M-series cameras. It will work with all cameras/lenses though. Its called: 90 degree mirror adaptor II. I saw one recently on the e-bay. Keep your eyes open...you may get one soon. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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