Irregularity Camera

The Irregularity Camera is an invention created by Philo Falkin during his years as a Hogwarts student and Knareswick Phrontistery apprentice. It's a magical camera that can instantly develop photos, record video and primarily identify various magical phenomena as it is exposed to more information. However, such details in the playback film are often obscured in a very puzzling manner as he works out the kinks.

Origin

Near the end of his 1st Year, Philo noticed an old pair omnioculars acting up during an Astronomy cram session (Horus of the Horizon, May 15 2009). Various peers and older students have offered input as Philo worked out a design improving the faulty omniocuars (How the Mind Spirals, May 16 2009). Many of the parts were reclaimed from junked devices, given Philo's poor background. Theta Pepper offered occasional input on shaping lenses and Philo also took somewhat after his father Frederick Falkin's expertise with his work in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office. By his 2nd year, the first prototype was made housed in a film camera casing (Further Tinkering, Sept 13 2009; Imp-less Iconography, Nov 7 2009).

Over the years Philo made continued improvements, learning how to work enchantments into the lenses and adapt celluloid film reels for the camera's use. He's hoping to patent the camera as a magical analysis tool once he can work out the various glitches. While he has demonstrated its functions to other people, he's one of the few that can adjust for its irregular quirks on the fly.

Parts List

• Izanaki's Spyglass
• Omnioculars
• Probity Probe
• Spectrespecs
• Boxing Telescope
• A kaleidoscope enchanted to pick up television signals

Theory

The closest analog to the Irregularity Camera's functions is the concept of a Seer's "Second Sight," or divining ability to notice hidden objects in the environment. Detection is scattershot, based on familiarity with the phenomena, but there are enough contextual clues in the camera's media for most wix to be able to puzzle out the correct solution.

People under the effects of Polyjuice Potion (or Metamorphmagi) would be recognized by their outer appearance ONLY if the camera had already correctly identified that individual. Film footage allows for playback adjustments and further analysis of what it records, much like a Pensieve, but is limited to the viewpoint of the camera's aperture.

In short, the camera can be fooled by strong magic or obscure phenomena. It is a learning device as it is exposed to more information over time.

Functions

• Snapshot Mode: Much like other magical cameras. The photos can be developed later or instantaneously in small, Polaroid-like pictures you need to shake to activate. These pictures often print out in pairs, with 'truths' sometimes hidden in each that can be reasoned out by spotting the differences in the matching images.

• Video Mode: Records playback to film, roughly 90 minutes per reel. It's suggested not to record over old film too many times or it will contain distortions based on the old footage being overwritten.

• Projection Mode: Projects photos, slides and footage from the playback feature. Speeding up, rewinding or editing the footage works via both knobs on the camera and spell activation. Various overlays and edits can be made retroactively to the footage.

• Scanning Mode: Using the camera to identify various aspects of the environment by peering into the viewfinder. Words that identify people, spells, creatures, etc. that the camera is able to recognize will overlay over the subjects in question. This can be boosted by having the correct 'data-reel' installed; a smaller bundle of film that only contains information. You'll have an easier time switching from 'quidditch' to 'astronomy' data-reels if stargazing, or the constellations will be attributed to various quidditch information. Language based data-reels can help translate text in real time.

• Invisible Scanning: A specialized version of scanning mode meant to see past invisibility cloaks, messages in invisible inks or effects outside the visible spectrum. Including some Spirit residue. Consumes more film when scanning, reducing the number of photos or time that can be recorded.

• Security: Unauthorized users get punched in the eye by the Boxing Telescope glove when they try to look through the viewfinder. Or you might just get randomly punched.

References

Chiefly inspired by the Camera minigame in Professor Layton & the Diabolical Box, along with other cameras/scanners in various interactive media.