Was watching a new show one MTV tonight called 'Boiling Points' and almost everyone of the peeps who were " in the know " were wearing video camera glasses, I think this might be there:

http://www.spyworld.com/Covert-Video.htm

Here's a couple screen shots from the show I found on the net:
http://www.undergroundplanet.com/mtv.htm

- Ray

www.undergroundplanet.com

I think they're called pencil cams.

Never used them (but considering them).

This research company uses them, and might be willing to give you a reference (http://www.actionspeak.net/flash.html).

Good luck.

Peter B.

I'd go with lipstick cam (Elmo makes a whole range of those and they have *GOOD* lenses - no plastic here...) or sneak into "security dept" cams, the ones you can hide in an "empty book" to put on a shelf.
With an Elmo hidden in a baseball cap, a cameraman I know filmed a whole bunch of, hum, "consumers" who were in Dominican Republic a few years ago having "special vacations" with 13-18 years old "hostesses" (included in the Hotels prices from the start with travel agencies...). The whole story went on Nat'l TV. Investigation show.
Should do the job, no?
Just be sure to avoid the "automatic" Elmos: they "pump" the iris in extreme situations, which is very annoying.
As a recorder, lots of people use these small DV decks (mostly use Sony) and just hook up their lipstick cams to it.

Good starting pitstops:
http://www.camerasuperstore.com/mavica.html
http://www.paradisevideo.com/elmo.html
http://effectsgraphics.videosystems.com/ar/video_catching_ali/ (some "making of"...)
http://www.spysite.com/remote_head_cameras.html

...and of course, the "official" site link:
http://www.elmocanada.com/cctv/microcameras.htm

Have fun!

Hi Acid,
I did this about 10 years ago so alot has changed, but the 2 ways that seemed to work best were a spycam with the lens/ccd mounted in a baseball hat, a wire ran down the back into the jacket connected to a recorder hidden in the jacket, (was Hi8 back then). The other way was to hide a small Hi8 palmcorder in a handbag,(females) or soft case,(males). The bags had a mount in them that held the lens up to a small glass port. This allowed me the actually shoot and change angles etc. I did this for a piece on exposing the sales practices in the NYC diamond district. All the gear came from a NYC company that specialized in undercover photog.

Do a google search, B&H might have some stuff as well. This is harder then in seems, it takes away to get the hang of it. Your camera person also has to act the part to pull it off. Plus your best shots will always go to the group that will not sign the release, which is something I did not have to worry about because of the subject matter, (news related).

Was a hell of a lot of fun though! Wish I could remember the NYC company's name, I will look in my old files to try and find an invoice.

Phil

you could also check out the cams on the www.smarthome.com, I install these type of cams in yachts for survielance and engine room monitoring. the ones I use are a little bit diferent enclosers(aluminum case w protective lens) but same type deal.They have the little lipstick cams that you could plug into your camera via composite jack then rig the dc supply for the ls cam however you need. either extend power supply or run off your own 12 batt source the persons wearing.

I only know of one case about this, but it is interesing.

The camera man was discovered. The man and woman being filmed resented it. Man punched the cameraman and stomped the camera (in a hat). The cameraman sued and filed both civil and criminal actions. Camera man lost both, and ended up being charged for disturbing the peace, supended sentence on the condition that he not do such filming again. The judge in the civil part of the case ordered the camera man to pay the "defendant" who had counter sued the sum of $500.00.

Be careful whose privacy you invade.