Hi,

I have a Toshiba PDR-M5. I like the camera, but it is a bit weak at telephoto photography. The digital zoom lowers the resolution and is no good for action shots (daughters soccer games). Are there an telephoto lenses available for this camera, as well as UV filters. I know Toshiba does NOT make them... Any good one will do. Thanks for the help.

Mark

-- Mark DeMaio (mdemaio@dc.com), August 15, 2000

Answers

I have a PDR-M5, too. I also have the new M70. If you get a chance to upgrade for a good price take it, you'll love the new one! They just revealed a hidden full manual mode & manual focus mode! The only thing I miss from the M5 is the thicker grip. :-) Toshiba doesn't make accessory lenses, but they do have several links to companies that sell accessories for the camera on their site. You'll find tiffen lenses there that will work.

Have a look at:

http://www.toshiba.com/taisisd/isd_svc/svcdsc/dscacc.htm

Just click on the link buttons next to the PDR-M5 image and it'll take you to that section at the respective retail partners Toshiba has paired up with to provide accessories designed for your camera. I think Herman's and DC Pro(Tiffen) are the ones that carry the lenses.

What you're looking for is the ARM5 52mm adapter, and 52mm threaded lenses. You can use smaller lenses with adapter rings, but will probably have vignetting. Personally, I think you're better off with the larger lenses. More glass = more light = faster lens with better low light performance.

Not to toot my horn, but in case you're wondering I have the first few of a series of digital imaging articles up at:

http://www.toshiba.com/taisisd/isd_svc/svcdsc/dsclib.htm

Some of the future articles will cover accessory lenses and some other acessories. I have a brand new .75X wide angle and a 2X telephoto here from Tiffen. The 2X was intended for the M5. They just got the first few of the wide angles in and are coming out with a 1.8 or 2X telephoto specifically designed for the M70 in another month or two.

I haven't had a chance to really check them out yet, but hope they'll get some use this week. If you're interested, email me and I'll send you a shot. Any particular interests? Wildlife, balloon festival (this weekend), etc... :-) I'm hoping to get some nice shots from the balloon fest, skydivers, etc.

You might also check with www.bugeyedigital.com they have some lenses, the ones designed for Sony FD91 or 95 are 52mm as I recall... Just use their search for "52mm" and see what you find... You can probably get away with 49mm with no vignetting beyond about 1.5X on the built -in lens. Most vignette a bit on the wide angle end of the zoom since the lens isn't attached to the camera lens, but mounted on the adapter tube.

Hope that helps.

-- Gerald M. Payne (gmp@surferz.net), August 15, 2000.

The vendors I mentioned also carry filters. I think you'll mostly find tiffen filters. By the way, there are two adapter tubes available for the M70, a 52mm one from Toshiba and a 43mm one from Tiffen. I know you don't have the M70, but thought anyone with an M70 and similar questions might benefit from this post.

Good Luck.

-- Gerald M. Payne (gmp@surferz.net), August 15, 2000.