68,200 Canon EOS 650D DSLR cameras recalled due to grip issue

Earlier this month, user complaints of an allergic skin reaction due to the rubber grip of the Canon EOS 650D poured in. If you were under the impression that the skin reaction was a rare phenomenon, this news may come as a shocker as a release published by the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that about 68,200 units of the recently announced DSLR have been recalled.

The report states that this number is only of the units imported in the US and the hazard is caused by “a chemical used in the camera’s rubber grips can result in a reaction that changes the grips from black to white and poses a risk of skin irritation to the consumer.” They go on to add, “Canon U.S.A., Inc. has received one report of a consumer who developed a minor rash after contact with a surface where the camera had been. This recall involves EOS Rebel T4i digital SLR cameras with a 12-digit serial number that contain a second digit that is a “3” or “4” and a sixth digit that is a “1.” Serial numbers are printed on the bottom of the camera. The Canon logo and the model name are printed on the front of the camera.”

Affected areas of the EOS 650D

An announcement by Canon confirms that the front rubber grips of some units of the DSLR may change colour (turn white) over a short period. Explaining this issue, Canon says that the front rubber grips of some EOS 650D units produced between May 31, 2012 and June 15, 2012 may turn white over a short period of time. After investigation and analysis with the rubber manufacturer, they determined that zinc bis (N,N’-dimethyldithiocarbamate) is the substance that causes the rubber surfaces to turn white. Canon cautions that the detected amount of this substance on any individual unit is minimal, but in rare cases, depending on individual sensitivity, contact with this substance may cause an allergic skin reaction.

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To check if your DSLR is affected, click here and enter your 12-digit serial number.

The Canon EOS 650D has been priced at Rs. 59,990 on Indian shores, and is Canon’s new entry-level flagship. If you are in the dark about this DSLR option, here is a short brief. The EOS 650D is the first-ever EOS to feature a dual AF system, which ensures exceptional detail in stills and continuous autofocus tracking when shooting videos. At the camera’s heart is an 18 megapixel Hybrid CMOS sensor and powerful DIGIC 5 processing, enabling you to capture sharp, full resolution images at up to five frames per second (fps). A Vari-angle capacitive touchscreen also makes camera operation quick and easy, providing instant access to an extensive range of settings and scene modes.

Canon claims that its newly developed 18 megapixel APS-C Hybrid CMOS sensor provides super-fine resolution for capturing poster-sized images that are rich in colour and detail. Ideal for shooting in low-light without flash, the camera features a native 100-12,800 ISO range, allowing natural-looking shots with minimal noise, while an expanded ISO 25,600 range also offers the ability to shoot in more extreme low-light conditions. Though it is available on a handful of other cameras, the EOS 650D is the first entry-level EOS to be powered by Canon DIGIC 5 processing, offering greater speed, responsiveness and advanced colour rendition. DIGIC 5’s 14-bit image processing provides beautiful and subtle transitions between colour tones, such as those of an evening sky, and its vastly increased power also makes the camera ideal for capturing fast-moving action, such as football or other sports.

Here is a quick look at some of the highlighted features of the Canon EOS 650D:

• 18.0 MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• Full-HD video shooting with manual controls and continuous AF
• 5 fps continuous shooting
• Vari-angle Clear View LCD II Touch screen
• ISO 100-12,800 sensitivity, extendable to ISO 25,600
• 9-point wide-area AF
• Integrated Speedlite Transmitter