| Info: MVC-CD500 Digital Camera A C C E S S O R I E S Written 16th July 2003 Updated 4th May 2004 I n t r o d u c t i o n : The Sony CD500 digital camera is now available in Australia, and the world. I bought one recently and have found it to be a most excellent camera. It also shares many of its features and accessories with its predecessor the CD400 which I also once owned. There is much debate about the 3rd party accessories that will work with the CD500 and this page is dedicated to sharing my experience to enlighten you as much as possible. Just for your information there is a great forum for discussion on this and other Sony Mavica cameras at the Mavica Information Exchange. |
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i e w : I'm no pro-photographer, but I know when something fits. All the products I have bought to date fit, work and enhance the existing features of the CD500. If you're wondering where to buy any of the below items, your best bet is a Google.com search for the product code or number, and maybe a "$" sign. Prices vary heaps, change constantly, and I spent way too long looking for the best prices on the day for these aquisitions. |
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Purchases:
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| Raynox 45-52mm Lens Adapter RT5245 This is a spacer tube that allows you to attach stuff to the front of your CD500 (or 400). Not only does it extend just beyond the reach of the Sony CD500 scope - it also converts your thread to 52mm. Sony sell one just like this Raynox for about Heaps More Dollars. The Raynox works without fault. I have 3 friends with them and they all perform flawlessly :) Buy the Raynox.  Sony 0.7 Hi Grade Wide Angle Lens VCL-MHG07A This sucker is big. You can't use the onboard flash because it just fires into the back of the lens and produces a big arc shadow. It's pictureed below with the original CD500 lense cap for comparison. Remember if you buy one, enable the Macro setting to make it work, with this enabled and the "Conversion Lens = OFF" you'll be able to continue to use your camera's optical zoom up to x2.2 before it hits blur. With Conversion Lens set to "ON" any zoom is disabled, so this is a neat trick.     Without Lens.  With Lens. (apologies about the lens flare) General Brand 55mm - 52mm Step Up Ring GBSDR5255 A required addition to attach the TCON-17 camera (see below). 
OLYMPUS, TCON 1.7x Telephoto Lens
SONY, Control L Wired remote control RM-VD1 A great little remote that lets you power the CD500 on/off. Zoom in and out. Take photos - even with "half press" functionality. Is also made for use with Sony handycams and has a button dedicated to starting and stopping video footage (disabled when used with the CD500).   Memorex 210Mb 24Min Pocket CD-RW 10pk 3202 3414 Great CD-RWs. Only had one dud and I caught it during initialisation - so no dramas. Unfortunately these cheap and reusable discs last I saw, have been discontinued. I stocked up and continue to use and reuse them without hassle. If you can't get these - be sure to get CDs that are rated especially for slow speed burning. These Memorex CDs are max x4 burn. x4+ only and they may not be compatible.  Lenmar Mach-1 Speed Charger MSC-1 Has multiple battery charge adapters, one of which being the NP-FM50 that is used by the Mavica CD500. Has a 110V - 240V power pack converting power to 12V. With correct plug adapters you can use it the world over, even in the car (cables is included). Only issue: Batteries charged for the 1st time with this charger will not hold as much charge as those charged iin the camera. If you do accidently charge your battery in the Lenmar first, it's easy to reset the battery by simply charging it next time in-camera. Easy. ps. This charger is GREAT!       This universal power adapter was not included. Manfrotto 714 SHB Digi-Tripod
The most compact tripod in the range. This incredibly compact size was achieved with two engineering breakthroughs. First we re-designed the leg pivot with a unique single hinge allowing the leg to fold shorter than conventional designs and secondly, we designed an integral ball head that actually is recessed into the main shoulder casting for transport. The compact ball head also allows a preset but adjustable tension to be set so that all you have to do is point the camera and shoot. No more locking off handles before you take that shot! This adjustment is done with a handle found on the bottom of the column, set it for your camera and forget it, then just aim and shoot. If you want to lock it down just turn the handle further and it will lock off the head. This four section tripod incorporates faceted tubular legs for extra torsional rigidity and quick flip leg locks for ease and quickness of set-up. The 714SHB comes complete with a carrying bag with twin shoulder straps for backpack style carrying. Finish: black anodised
UV or Skylight Filter Great for keeping your Sony Lens safe.  52mm Circular Polarizing Filter (I have heard Linear Polarizers work with the CD500) Pics for now, more info soon.  Cleaning Equiptment For a few bucks you can pick up everything you need to keep your gear clean. Start with some multicoated-lens compatible lens cleaning fluid and some Lens Cleaning Tissue. You'll be using these ONLY on lenses. A mircofibre cloth and your warm breath is all you should ever use on the LCD.  |
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