A swing prism endoscope with an actuating mechanism that comprises a control element that oscillates in between proximal and distal ends of the endoscope and is coupled to a distally mounted swing prism, a control surface with a variable profile, and an engaging element that contacts the control surface and moves relative to the control surface while contacting the control surface causing the control element to oscillate. The distally mounted swing prism that alters the viewing angle of the endoscope between a forward direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope and a side direction that is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope.