Canon Recalls 14,000 Powershot SX50 Cameras

Following the product advisory of last year, Canon recalled around 14,000 Powershot SX50 HS (price & specs) units. The issue has to do with

a chemical used in the rubber part of the viewfinders on the camera [that] can cause skin or eye irritation or an allergic reaction to the user.

[via DPreview]

Recall Details

Units

About 14,000

Description

The PowerShot SX50 HS is a black compact digital camera. The words “PowerShot SX50 HS” are printed on the top of the camera.  The affected cameras have serial numbers beginning with “69”, “70” or “71” and have “1” as the sixth digit of the serial number.  The serial number is on the side or bottom of the camera housing.

Incidents/Injuries

Canon has received one report of itching and two reports of eye redness and pain.  

Remedy

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cameras and contact Canon to arrange a free repair.

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Canon Releases New Firmware For VIXIA Mini Camcorder (rel. 1.0.1.0)

VIXIA Mini

Canon released a firmware update for the Vixia Mini camcorder (price & specs). You can download the firmware here

Thank you for using Canon products.

Canon has released a firmware update for the Canon VIXIA mini Camcorder.

Product
Canon VIXIA mini

Details
Firmware Version 1.0.1.0 incorporates the following improvements:

  1. Remote viewing function has been added when using the CameraAccess plus smartphone app, with the optional CT-V1 Camera Pan Table.
    *note: The CameraAccess plus app is available free of charge from the Apple App Store and Google Play. Information on how to use the remote viewing function is available from the PIXELA Web site.
  2. Shortens the time between turning the camcorder on and being able to start recording.
  3. In order to prevent inadvertently switching to playback mode while recording, the following improvements have been made:
    The playback button must be pressed for half a second or more in order to access the playback mode.
    The playback button has now been disabled while the camcorder is in recording mode, in order to prevent inadvertently switching modes.
  4. Quick access to the photo playback index screen, by holding down the playback button, has been added.
  5. Photo playback has been added to SP-V1 mode.
  6. In the Shooting Mode menu, the “Macro” option is now listed above “Auto” for improved ease of use.
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Lensbaby 5.8mm Circular Fisheye Lens Announced

Lensbaby announced a new 5.8mm Circular Fisheye lens. The manual focus lens is priced $299,95 and can be pre-order at B&H Photo or Adorama.

The 5.8mm f/3.5 Circular Fisheye Lens for Canon EF from Lensbaby is a manual focus lens with a wide 5.8mm focal length that provides a fully circular image optimized for APS-C-format cameras. It is compatible with full frame image sensors by producing a smaller image within the frame. The lens has an aperture range of f/3.5 to f/22 and captures a 185˚ angle of view. It features a close focusing range starting at 0.25″ and going to infinity, all while providing expansive depth of field and image sharpness. This Lensbaby lens doesn’t bend, so the fisheye image is always perfectly centered in the frame.

Focus distance scale and DOF scale on the lens aids in focusing

Polished internal barrel for reflection and creative flare, which fills the border around image circle with colors from bright light sources in the photo

  • Full-Circle Image
  • Wide 5.8mm Focal Length
  • Aperture Range of f/3.5-22
  • APS-C & Full Frame Compatibility
  • Close Focusing from 0.25″ to Infinity
  • 185˚ Angle of View
  • Focus Distance & DOF Scale
  • Smooth Manual Focusing
  • Creative Flare Effect

Sample pictures and more after the break.

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Canon Powershot G1 X Mark II Will Probably Ship Earlier Than Expected (starting April 14th)

Powershot G1 X Mark II

Thanks to reader DK who sent me an email she/he got from Amazon, while waiting for the pre-order of the Canon Powershot G1 X Mark II (price & specs) to ship. Amazon wrote:

Hello,

We have good news!  We’re able to get this part of your order to you faster than we originally promised:

“Canon PowerShot G1X Mark II Digital Camera”
Previous estimated arrival date: May 13, 2014
New estimated arrival date: April 14, 2014

Great that Canon’s new compact powership will ship earlier than Canon announced.

The Canon Powershot G1 X II has been officially announced February 12th, and can be pre-ordered for $799 at Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama. Description and specifications after the break.

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Canon HDTV Lenses Chosen for Ross Mobile Productions’ “Future Is Now 3”

Canon HDTV Lenses

Canon HDTV Lenses Chosen for Ross Mobile Productions’ “Future Is Now 3” Production Vehicle and for Ross Robotics’ Furio and CamBot Camera Support Systems at NAB Show 2014

Canon Long-Zoom Lens Performance and Affordability Cited as Essential to Ross Video’s New “openTruck” Initiative

MELVILLE, N.Y., April 7, 2014 – Ross Video, makers of production switchers, graphics/character generator systems, and remote-control camera-support technologies, have chosen HDTV lenses from Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, to integrate with Ross Video products displayed at the 2014 NAB Show, April 7-10, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Canon XJ76x9B and XJ60x9B long-field HD zoom lenses and HJ22x7.6B HD ENG lenses will be shown with Ross Mobile Productions’ new “Future is Now 3” (FIN3) compact production vehicle, part of Ross Video’s “openTruck” initiative to meet the needs of budget-conscious producers and operators. A variety of Canon ENG lenses will be shown with Ross Robotics’ Furio and CamBot remote-control camera support systems, which utilize precision positional data from Canon lenses for integration with advanced virtual set and augmented reality applications.

“High-quality optics are essential for sports coverage, and Canon has a stellar reputation in this market,” stated Nigel Spratling, marketing product manager at Ross Video. “The new FIN3 truck we will display at NAB is a standard platform we are developing for the smaller version of our openTruck initiative. We chose Canon lenses because of their optical performance and how well they match across the various lens types, as well as their reliability, ongoing performance, and Canon support. Using these Canon lenses means that Ross Mobile Productions is using exemplary quality HDTV optical products.”

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Adobe Releases Lightroom For iPad (and updates Lightroom and DNG Converter)

Lightroom For iPad

Now it is official after having been rumored for a while: Adobe released Lightroom for the iPad as part of the Photoshop Photography Program ($9.99 per month, includes Lightroom and Photoshop). There are also updates for Lightroom (rel. 5.4 – Mac | Win) and Adobe DNG Converter (rel. 8.4 – Mac | Win).

Curious about Adobe Lightroom for iPad? Then have a look at the FAQ or at how to get started. If you want more, there is a series of videos on YouTube that might help to get an idea.

More videos after the break.

[via PR]
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