The prevalence of red eyes in photographs is down to the proximity of the flash to the lens. Of course, as you can see on almost any compact camera you choose to examine, this doesn't stop the manufacturers from building them this way.

The idea consists of a small, light-weight periscope which could be sold as a one-size-fits-all camera accessory. The user would stick the two supplied metallic brackets to the camera on opposing sides of the flash itself. The periscope will slide into place between these brackets and will cover most, if not all compact camera flash units. Attachable collars of various sizes would be included to allow for cameras with differing spaces between lens and flash.

In order to allow the photographer to alter the flash, the head of the periscope can be rotated to some degree. It will also have a number of other attachments, most of which could feasibly be built into the one object (for example, diffuse/coloured filters and a reflective fan such as those seen on some old flash units).
-- fridge duck, Feb 02 2008

Utterly shameless plug. Shoulder_20flash
[coprocephalous, Feb 03 2008]

Herb at Steve's Digicams (2005) http://www.stevesfo...d=15&jump_to=229078
"It gives me the idea of making an attachment with a couple of mirrors in it - like a sort or reverse periscope - that would clip to the camera & deflect the flash so that it emerged an inch or two further away from the camera lens." [jutta, Feb 03 2008]

Alan Alda (2003) http://www.pbs.org/...rces/transcript.htm
Builds a prototype of this during his visit to the MIT fab lab. You can also read about that on pages 62-64 of the book "Fab". [jutta, Feb 03 2008]

A Toy Periscope http://www.dicksspo...pe--pi-2215892.html
As a design idea. For a camera flash, it should be internally white (or silver). Use it just as it is, and your subject is bound to smile! [Amos Kito, Feb 03 2008]

We've had these for years in England.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Feb 02 2008


I thought this was some new fangled camera gizmo to get photos under water without getting wet .
-- wjt, Feb 03 2008


Please avert your gaze, my ignorance is showing!

I hadn't heard of these before, I guess I should do a little more research next time.

(Is anyone able to provide a link?).
-- fridge duck, Feb 03 2008


I've never heard of such a thing, so I'd be curious, too. I can find someone else "inventing" this, but no products.

(There are plenty of flash diffusers or reflectors on the market; what I'm looking for is something involving two mirrors that doesn't make the flash larger or more diffuse.)
-- jutta, Feb 03 2008


By reflecting light at these angles, you're reducing the effective distance of an already rather pathetic compact camera's flash. But if that's all I had on hand, I'd try it. +
-- Amos Kito, Feb 03 2008


[Amos Kito] Granted, it would reduce the effective power of the flash - but with highly reflective surfaces inside the periscope the reduction shouldn't be too dramatic.
-- fridge duck, Feb 03 2008


I was hoping, actually, for a sort of photographic periscope for altogether more sordid purposes. I'm not sure if red- eye would still be problem.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Feb 03 2008



random, halfbakery