Super wide-angle panoramic imaging apparatus

A method of providing a substantially stigmatic reflection of a super wide-angle field of view captured from a substantially single reference viewpoint comprising:

• (a) providing a primary reflector to generate a first reflection of a super wide-angle scene, the primary reflector having a near focal point and a far focal point;
• (b) providing a secondary reflector to accept the first reflection and to generate a second reflection, the secondary reflector having a near focal point and a far focal point;
• (c) providing a relay system having an entrance pupil, in which the primary reflector, secondary reflector and lens are positioned such that the far focal point of the primary reflector coincides substantially with the near focal point of the secondary reflector and the entrance pupil of the relay system coincides substantially with the far focal point of the secondary reflector.

A method of providing a substantially planar and stigmatic reflection of a super wide-angle field of view captured from a substantially single reference viewpoint comprising:

• (a) providing a primary reflector having a first shape and a first size to generate a first reflection of a super wide-angle scene;
• and
• (b) providing a secondary reflector having a second shape and a second size to accept the first reflection and to generate a second reflection, in which the shapes and sizes of the primary and secondary reflectors, and their respective positions, are such as to give rise to a second reflection that is substantially planar and stigmatic and in which a super wide-angle field of view is captured from a substantially single reference viewpoint.