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]

[In-Stock] Ef 24mm f/2.8 IS USM And EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM Ready To Ship (Limited Quantity)

Both the EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM ($850, click here) and the EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM ($800, click here) are in stock at B&H. They just arrived and there is only a limited quantity available (for the time being).

EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM core specifications:

  • Image Stabilization Prevents Shaky Pix
  • Fast, Silent Autofocus Operation
  • 7 Diaphragm Blades for Beautiful Bokeh
  • Minimum Focusing Distance of 7.87″
  • Lens Coatings Minimize Ghosting & Flare
  • Manual Focusing Available At All Times

EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM core specifications:

  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • Fast Autofocusing
  • Manual Focus Available Full-Time
  • Improved Peripheral Image Quality.
  • 7 Diaphragm Blades for Beautiful Bokeh
  • Silent, Smooth Operation Ideal for Video
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 9″

[In-Stock] EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM In Stock At Canon Store

The Canon Direct Store has the brand new EF-S 18-135mm STM IS lens in stock and ready to ship for $549.99 (click here). As far as I know, this is the first shop having the 18-135mm STM IS in stock. Core specifications:

  • Focal Length & Maximum Aperture: 18 – 135mm 1:3.5-5.6
  • Lens Construction: 16 elements in 12 groups
  • Diagonal Angle of View: 11° 30′ – 74° 20′
  • Focus Adjustment: Inner focusing system
  • Zoom System: Rotating Type
  • Closest Focusing Distance: 1.3 ft./0.39m
  • Filter Size: 67mm
  • Max. Diameter x Length, Weight: 3.1 x 3.8 inch, 16.9 oz. / 76.6 x 96.0mm, 480g
Click here to open the rest of the article

[Review] EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Sample Pics And Another Review

Canon’s little pancake, the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM ($199, click here), is getting a lot of attention. That’s no surprise, given the outstanding performance this lens delivers (especially in regard to its price). DPreview published sample pics shot using the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM (click here). The sample pics were shot using an EOS 5D Mark III and an EOS 5D Mark II for full-frame images, and using a Rebel T4i/650D and a Rebel T3i/600D for the APS-C images.

Our friend Carl over at photographic-central posted an exhaustive review of the pancake. Carl used a full-frame (an EOS 5D) and an APS-C camera (an EOS 50D) for his tests. His review confirms the exceptionally good performance of this pancake lens. From the conclusion:

Overall the Canon EF 40mm STM f/2.8 lens is a lot of bang for the buck. Certainly better results can be had with lenses at different focal lengths in the max magnification (macro) and bokeh categories but the 40mm STM does quite well considering its price anyway, especially so on the APS-C format. Sharpness is never an issue at f/4 and beyond on both formats, and sharpness only gets better up to f/8 corner to corner where it seems to reach its peak when all things are considered (center is barely softer at f/8 vs f/5.6). Barrel distortion at least in field conditions, is slightly noticeable but not really a problem.

Vignetting shows up even on APS-C but nearly gone at f4. Any weaknesses this lens exhibits (very few) are more pronounced on a full frame sensor but this lens still performs well over all considering its low price. Color and contrast are just phenomenal at f/4 and beyond on both formats, a highly desirable trait indeed. Flare can show up in extreme circumstances so I recommend a hand/hat/hood to combat it if its a problem for you.

EF 40mm f/2.8 STM availability and price check: [shopcountry 5686]

EOS 7D Manual Updated And Available For Download

Looking forward to the soon-to-be-released massive firmware update for the EOS 7D, Canon made an updated version of the 7D user manual available for download (click here). The new manual reflects the new features and other changes that will be introduced with the firmware upgrade expected to be released to the public in August.

EOS 7D price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

[via CR]

[Patent] Canon Files Patent For A New 35mm f/1.4 Prime Lens

Egami (machine translated) spotted a new Canon patent. This time it is for a 35mm f/1.4 prime lens. The existing EF 35mm was released in 1998, so it makes sense for Canon to work on a new release of this lens. According to Egami, it looks as if Canon has been working since four years on this lens.

Details (machine translated):

  • Patent Publication No. 2012-123155
    • 2012.6.28 Release Date
    • 2010.12.8 filing date
  • Example 1
    • Focal length f = 34.73mm
    • Fno. 1.45
    • Half angle of 31.92 deg.
    • Image height 21.64mm
    • Length 128.11mm lens
    • 38.48mm back focus
    • An effective diameter of 52.03mm lens
    • Effective diameter aperture 25.52mm
    • Lens Construction 12 elements in 9 groups sheet
    • 2 2 aspherical surface
  • Retrofocus
    • And retro focus lens optical system focal length is shorter than the length of the optical system
    • Increasingly asymmetric refractive power arrangement must be strengthened a negative refractive power of the front group in particular
      • Coma aberration, astigmatism, spherical aberration occurs
    • Order to secure a back focus must be to increase the ratio retro
      • Pettsuvu~aru sum is reduced and off-axis aberration (field curvature, distortion) is worse