More Rebel T4i/650D Affected By Rubber Grip Changing Color

EOS 650D/Rebel T4i/Kiss X6i price check: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

This was known since a while, there was a product advisory by Canon some time ago. The rubber grips of the Rebel T4i (EOS 650D in EU, Kiss X6i in JP) are changing colour after a while of use, and, worst, they may sometimes cause allergic reactions. Only certain serial number ranges were affected. Unfortunately, a few days ago Canon Australia released a new product advisory, which extends the range of possibly affected models.

Canon has identified an issue with the rubber grips on a number of EOS 650D cameras. This Service Notice replaces the Notice released on 6 July, which advised that there were no potentially affected units sold through Authorised Resellers into the Australian market.

Since the 6 July Service Notice, Canon has broadened the serial number range of potentially affected products as a precautionary measure and, as a result, we believe that a small number of cameras in the extended range have been sold in the Australian market.

The following information can be used by owners of EOS 650D cameras to identify whether their camera falls within the extended serial number range and the support available. Canon advises users of EOS 650D cameras who have checked their camera serial number prior to 3 August 2012 to please repeat the process.

Canon apologises for any inconvenience caused by this issue.

Phenomenon

The front rubber grips of some EOS 650D units produced in certain lots between 31 May and 27 June 2012 may turn white after a short period of time. We have determined after inquiry with the rubber manufacturer and analysis that the substance zinc bis (N,N’-dimethyldithiocarbamate) is what causes the rubber surface to turn white.

Zinc bis is not used in the production of this product but is created as a result of this chemical reaction. The quantity of rubber accelerator used in the affected production lots was slightly higher than usual. As a result the rubber grips may turn white due to a chemical reaction with the rubber accelerator and other substances causing zinc bis deposits on the rubber surface. High temperature and high humidity may contribute to this condition.

EOS 650D

Identifying Affected Products

Some units of the EOS 650D digital SLR camera produced between 31 May and 27 June are affected. Affected units can be identified by their serial number as follows:

NOTE: The additional serial numbers were added to the checker on 3 August 2012. If you conducted a check prior to this date, please repeat the procedure.

  1. Press the Check button below, and a screen that asks you to enter your camera’s serial number will appear.
  2. Enter the 12-digit serial number on the base of the camera, and then press the Submit button.
  3. One of the following messages will appear:
      • “Your camera is NOT affected” (No action necessary)
      • “Your camera is affected” (Please see the Market Support section and Caution On Use section below)
      • “Invalid Number” (You entered an invalid serial number, check your serial number and re-enter

Note: Please double check the 12 digit serial number you entered before you click on the Submit button.

To enter another serial number, click on your browser’s Back button after a message appears.

Check Button

EOS 650D

Furthermore, if the sixth digit in the serial number 2 or above, the camera is not affected.

  • Some EOS 650D cameras where the second digit of the serial number is “3” or “4” and sixth digit is “1,” are affected.

Example: x4xxx1xxxxxx ([x] represents any optional number.)

Use the Check button above to see whether your unit is affected.

Market Support

Canon distributors in each country are making provisions to offer free support for the affected products that they distribute in their respective markets.

As market distributor, Canon Australia asks owners of potentially affected cameras purchased through Canon Authorised Resellers to contact Canon directly on 13 13 83 to arrange for a free service.

Purchasers of affected overseas product (direct import from overseas or via local reseller of overseas products) should contact their point of purchase to access the service provisions of their relevant distributor.

Caution on Use

The amount of zinc bis (N,N’-dimethyldithiocarbamate) detected during our testing was minimal. Depending on one’s health and physical condition, in rare cases when this substance comes into contact with skin, allergic skin reactions* may develop. In addition, if eyes are rubbed after contact with the substance, symptoms, such as red eyes, may develop.

As a precautionary measure, thoroughly wash your hands with water if they have come in contact with the rubber grips that have turned white. (If any medical symptoms develop, please consult your physician immediately.)

*Please note that the occurrence of allergic skin reactions depend on the target substance, length of contact with the target substance, one’s health and physical conditions, and sensitivity of one’s skin structure, and not everyone will be affected by allergic symptoms.

[via fstoppers]

Rebel T4i/EOS 650D With EF-M 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM In Stock And Ready To Ship (Update)

Edit: I was referring to the wrong lens, it is a 18-135mm IS STM.

Update: Check sample pics shot with a Rebel T4i/650D and the 18-135 IS STM lens – click here

Great news if you live in the States and can’t wait to get your hands on Canon’s new Rebel, the T4i/650D. B&H has the T4i as a kit with the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens available for (free) shipping ($1,199.99 click here). Limited quantity, so be quick before others are. Core specs of the T4i/650D:

  • STM Lens Support for Quiet AF in Movies
  • 18.0MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 5 Image Processor
  • 3.0″ Vari-Angle Touch Screen LCD
  • ISO 100-12800, Expandable to 25600
  • Full HD Movie Mode with Continuous AF
  • 5.0 FPS Continuous Shooting
  • 9-Point All Cross-Type AF System
  • Multi Shot Noise Reduction
  • EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens
Click here to open the rest of the article

[Deal] Rebel T4i/650D And iPad3 32GB For $ 1375.00/Free Shipping

I was somewhat wondering that you couldn’t find such bundles out there. Adorama has a kit bundling the Rebel T4i/650D and a New iPad (3th gen) with 32GB and the Apple Camera Connection Kit  for $1,375.95 (click here), that’s $100 off the price you normally would pay for the two items. The New iPad (3) does amazing well for photographers. Beside the awesome Retina display, there are some very cool apps for photographers out there. My favorite for post processing is Snapseed ($4.99), with RAW support and its powerful yet intuitive to use U-point technology. Since I am using Snapseed I fire up Lightroom 4 much less: most of the needed corrections etc can comfortably be made on the iPad. Files are not crunched, nor are there other limiting factors (well, I wouldn’t use the iPad with file sizes over 20MB). Other great apps are Photogene ($2.99) and Photoforge 2 ($2.99). Together with the new Rebel T4i/650D this kit makes a perfect starter for (new) photographers that want to stay light. It’s perfect for traveling, at least it was for me during the three months I spent in SE-Asia last year. And then I had a first gen iPad. :-)

Rebel T4i/650D price check: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Apple iPad 3 price check: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

[Review] Just Another Rebel? The T4i/650D As A Technology Sandbox

I have to say that I feel I am neglecting the Rebel T4i (EOS 650D in EU, Kiss X6i in JP). I am not part of the “just another Rebel” party, nor do I have an elitist approach to photographic gear. Nevertheless, I didn’t dedicate too much time to the latest Rebel (so far). That’s a shame, because Canon’s last iteration of the Rebel series (the xxxD series in EU) has a lot of advanced and cue-giving tech inside. So much that it should make us curios what it is about. I reported time ago that Canon may sandboxing and testing the technology (i.e. the touchscreen) that could possibly be used for its upcoming mirrorless system camera (expected for July 23). Now, there are more hints that the Rebel T4i/650D sports features and functionalities that would be more than just useful on a mirrorless camera.

Le me start saying that the T4i/650D is Canon’s first DSLR having full-time auto-focus in video mode. To accomplish this, you can use different focusing approaches, such as the contrast-detect method (used in previous Canon DSLR, slow and imprecise) or phase detection sensors in the camera (causes a blackout during live view, when the mirror flips down). But there is a third way to get auto-focus through phase detection: mixing phase detection sensors with pixels on the sensor itself. That’s what the folks at chipworks discovered when they tore down a T4i/650D. The cool thing is that such a technical solution would make up for a fast and reliable AF on a mirrorless camera. The technology is not new and was seen on Nikon’s Aptina sensor sported on the V1 and on the Fuji F300EXR. Differently from Nikon, which uses regular lines to implement the phase detection sensors, Canon uses an irregular pixel pattern. This is not totally new, as Canon two years ago published a patent for such a technology.

What are your thoughts?

Canon patent for phase detection AF

[via photographybay, chipworks]

[Deal] Huge Rebel T4i/EOS 650D/Kiss X6i Bundle (10 Accessories)

Big starter kit around a Rebel T4i/EOS 650D/Kiss X6i body.  A huge, 10 items bundle that comes at the price the T4i/650D/X6i body usually comes alone. For $850 by Adorama (click here) you get all of the following items:

  • Canon EOS Rebel T4i Body
  • 32 GB SD Memory Card
  • Camera Bag
  • Spare LP-E8 Lithium-Ion Rehargeable Battery
  • Cleaning Kit
  • Screen Protector
  • USB 2.0 Card Reader
  • 8GB USB Flash Drive
  • Microfiber Cloth
  • Memory Wallet Card Holder
  • Red Giant Adorama Production Bundle

Want to know more about the Rebel T4i/EOS 650D? Have a look here.

Have a nice weekend. :-)

 

Two Rebel T4i/EOS 650D Product Advisories

Right, two product advisories for the Rebel T4i/650D. First advisory concerns a phenomenon where the front rubber grips of some EOS REBEL T4i units produced in certain lots during the sixteen-day period between May 31st through June 15th, 2012 may turn white after a short period of time.

You can use the serial number to check whether your camera is affected by this phenomenon. If the sixth digit of the serial number is “1” please follow the procedure below. If the sixth digit of the serial number is “2” or higher, your camera is not affected.

Procedure:
1) Click on the link below to enter your serial number. 
2) Enter the 12-digit serial number (reference the image below) from your camera then click the Submit button
3) One of the following messages will appear.
            ·  “Your camera is NOT affected”   →  No further action is required 
            ·  “Your camera is affected”   →  Please see the Support section below

Click here to enter your serial number

Next, the second advisory: your Rebel T4i might be a little confused sometimes, believing it is a Kiss X6i. :-)

Thank you for using Canon products.We have identified a phenomenon in which the camera model name embedded in the EXIF data of captured images incorrectly shows “EOS Kiss X6i”, which is the model name for the EOS Rebel T4i in the Japanese market. Even if this occurs, however, the image taken is still captured correctly.Phenomenon
When using applications, such as Digital Photo Professional (DPP) or Image Browser EX (IBX) to view images captured with your EOS Rebel T4i camera, the camera model name in the EXIF information of the images shows the model name for the same camera in the Japanese market: the EOS Kiss X6i.

The camera model name that appears on the Camera Settings / Remote Shooting screens of EOS Utility (EU) also shows “EOS Kiss X6i”.

Affected Products
EOS REBEL T4i Digital SLR Camera
*Some units whose second digit of the serial number is “3” are affected.
For example: ”x3xxxxxxxxxx” ([x] represents any optional number.)

Support
Customers who would like to have the correct model name listed in the EXIF information of their camera are asked to contact Canon using the information below.

This information is for residents of the United States and Puerto Rico only.  If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.

Please register your EOS Rebel T4i. By registering, we will be able to notify you via email when service updates are available.

Thank you,
Customer Support Operations
Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Contact Information for Inquiries:

Canon Customer Support Center

Phone:

1-800-OK-CANON1-800-652-2666

TTD:

1-866-251-3752

E-mail:

[email protected]

For additional support options: http://www.usa.canon.com/support

[via CR, IR]