The industry-standard periscope lens from Century Optics (now Schneider). 90° optical deflection for tabletop, low-angle, and impossible POV shots.
What is the Century Periscope?
The Century Periscope is the industry standard for periscope lenses, developed by Century Optics (now part of Schneider Kreuznach). It redirects the image by 90 degrees, enabling tabletop shots, low-angle shots, and other impossible perspectives. Proven in advertising for decades.
Technical Definition
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Century Optics / Schneider |
| Deflection | 90° |
| Principle | Prism |
| Status | Industry Standard |
Model Variants
Century Periscope Types
| Model | Focal Length | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ~50mm equiv. | Universal |
| Wide | ~28mm equiv. | More overview |
| Tele | ~85mm equiv. | Compression |
| Macro | Variable | Close-ups |
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Light Loss | ~1.5–2 stops |
| Rotation | 360° |
| Mount | Variable (Adapter) |
| Quality | Very good |
Applications
Classic Tabletop Shots
| Shot | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Hero | Parallel to the table surface |
| Food | Plate level |
| Cosmetics | Between products |
| Beverages | Glass perspective |
Other Areas of Use
| Area | Application |
|---|---|
| Feature Film | Special angles |
| Documentary | Wildlife observation |
| Industrial | Machinery inspection |
| Architecture | Tight spaces |
Comparison: Century vs. Alternatives
| Aspect | Century | P+S Skater | Optex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | Very high | Good | Rare |
| Quality | Very good | Very good | Excellent |
| Price | Moderate | Moderate | Premium |
| Modularity | Limited | High | High |
Why Century Became the Standard
Factors
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Early to Market | Pioneer of the 1970s |
| Quality | Consistently good |
| Availability | Everywhere |
| Price | Fair |
| Support | Long spare parts supply |
Legacy in Advertising
| Decade | Significance |
|---|---|
| 1970s | First tabletop revolution |
| 1980s | Standard for product advertising |
| 1990s | Indispensable |
| Today | Still relevant |
Technical Challenges
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| Light Loss | Add more light |
| Image Rotation | Correct alignment |
| Depth of Field | Stop down |
| Cleaning | Regularly (prisms) |
Optical Properties
| Property | Rating |
|---|---|
| Center Sharpness | Very good |
| Edge Sharpness | Good |
| Distortion | Low |
| Chromatic Aberration | Corrected |
| Flare | Controlled |
The Legacy
History
- 1960s: Century Optics founded
- 1970s: First Cinema Periscope
- 1990s: Acquired by Schneider
- Today: Legacy product, still available
Influence
The Century Periscope defined tabletop cinematography – the look of countless commercials is based on this lens.
Today
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Advertising, Feature Film |
| Availability | Almost every rental house |
| Cost | Moderate rental |
| Trend | Classic with competition |
Modern Situation
While new systems (Innovision, P+S) and budget probes (Laowa) offer alternatives, the Century Periscope remains the proven classic – especially for traditional tabletop work.
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