Canon USA has recalled 68,200 EOS Rebel T4i DSLR cameras. Canon have previously stated that the front rubber grips of some units of the Rebel T4i may change color (turn white) after a short period of time. Now the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have asserted that 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. Canon USA 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.” Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cameras and contact Canon U.S.A. to have replacement rubber grips installed free of charge.

The previously announced Canon EOS 7D firmware update is now available to download. Version 2 adds “powerful memory management algorithms” that allow the camera’s buffer to accommodate up to 25 raw files, adds in-camera raw file editing, image rating and JPEG resizing, customisable auto ISO, manual audio level adjustment in movie recording, compatibility with the GP-E2 GPS unit, file name customisation and faster scrolling of magnified images in playback. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Sigma has posted firmware updates for the Sigma SD1 and SD1 Merrill digital SLR cameras. According to the company, version 1.08 for the original SD1 and version 1.03 for the Merrill improve the accuracy of the evaluative exposure metering. You can download the firmware upgrades from the websites below.

Website: Sigma SD1 Firmware Update
Website: Sigma SD1 Merrill Firmware Update

Canon U.S.A. has issued a statement saying the front rubber grips on a certain batch of its EOS Rebel T4i / EOS 650D digital SLR cameras may turn white after a short period of time. The phenomenon is caused by a substance called zinc bis (N,N’-dimethyldithiocarbamate), which is a by-product of a chemical reaction between the rubber accelerator and other substances. (The company says the quantity of rubber accelerator used in the affected production lots was slightly higher than usual.) In addition to the colour change, the substance may, in rare cases, cause allergic skin reactions to develop when it comes into contact with your skin. Click through / scroll down to read the product advisory, which also contains instructions on determining whether your camera is affected or not.

Nikon has posted a firmware update for the Nikon D4 digital SLR camera. According to the company, version 1.02 incorporates the following modifications and fixes:

J.D. Power and Associates have published their 2012 Digital Single-Lens Reflex Camera Online Buyer Report. Responses were collected via PowerReviews - a social commerce network recently acquired by Bazaarvoice - and reflect the attitudes of actual DSLR camera owners who used an e-commerce site to make their purchase. According to the report, Pentax ranks highest in online buyer satisfaction with a score of 899 (on a 1,000-point scale), followed closely by Nikon (891) and Canon (888). The average price paid for a digital SLR camera has increased from $937 in 2011 to $1,291 in 2012, reflecting a shift towards more prosumer-oriented and semi-professional cameras.

Canon has announced the upcoming release of a major firmware update to its EOS 7D digital SLR camera. Version 2 adds “powerful memory management algorithms” that allow the camera’s buffer to accommodate up to 25 raw files or 130 JPEGs. Additionally, a range of newly-added editing functions gives photographers more control over how images look, allowing post-production to begin in-camera. The firmware update also offers improved audio functionality in movie mode, a digital wind-cut filter, expanded user control over the camera’s auto ISO feature, as well as added capacity for users to track the location of their still images with new support for the GPS Receiver GP-E2. Firmware v2 will roll out from August 2012.

Blue Crane Digital has announced its newest training DVD, “Introduction to the Nikon D3200 – Basic Controls”. Topics covered include Scene Modes, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Depth of Field, Focusing on Moving Subjects, Live View Shooting, Focus Options for Live View, Video Recording Basics and more. The DVD is scheduled for world-wide release mid-July, with a street price of $24.99.

DxO Labs have posted their findings on the sensor of the new Nikon D800E camera. The overall DxOMark Sensor Score is 96 - essentially the same as the D800’s 95 points. Nevertheless, the tiny, one-point difference - which mainly comes from the slightly different Low-Light ISO scores - was enough for the D800E to snatch the first position from its twin brother, making it the best camera ever tested at DxOMark. That said, even DxO Labs believe that “the one-point spread between Nikon’s D800E and the D800 is so small that it can be considered a draw”.

Website: DxOMark

Canon has released a firmware update for the Canon EOS 60D and EOS 60Da digital SLR cameras. Version 1.1.1 incorporates the following fixes:

1. Fixes a phenomenon where the serial number that is displayed in the shooting information does not match the camera’s actual serial number.
2. Corrects errors in the Greek, Italian, and Portuguese menu screens.

Website: Canon EOS 60D

Canon has posted a firmware update for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III full-frame DSLR camera. According to the company, Version 1.1.3 incorporates the following improvements and fixes.:

1. Supports the single focal length EF40mm f/2.8 STM lens that is to be released at the end of June, 2012.
2. Fixes a phenomenon in which an image may become underexposed when using the Auto Lighting Optimizer for continuous Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) shooting.
3. Fixes a phenomenon in which the backlight of the LCD monitor may not turn off depending on the camera settings and timing.
4. Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera’s power may not turn on when a super-telephoto lens*1) is mounted to the camera with an extender*2).
*1) EF 300mm F2.8L IS II USM / EF 400mm F2.8L IS II USM
*2) Extender EF 1.4X III / Extender EF 2X III
5. Corrects mistakes in the Dutch, Italian, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, and Swedish menu screens.

Website: Canon EOS 5D Mark III

The Canon EOS 650D / T4i is an 18-megapixel digital SLR camera offering simple touch-screen operation. In addition, the EOS 650D is the first-ever Canon EOS model to feature a dual AF system, which ensures sharp stills as well as continuous autofocus tracking when shooting movies - subject to use with Canon stepping motor (STM) lenses. Thanks to its Canon DIGIC 5 processor, it provides 14-bit image processing for subtle transitions between colour tones in stills. Featuring capacitive technology, the new 3” Vari-angle Clear View LCD II Touch screen supports a variety of multi-touch gestures, such as pinching and swiping. In Live View mode, you can even select AF points, track faces and objects, and fine-tune image settings via the camera’s Quick Control screen.

Nikon has issued a firmware update for the Nikon D4 professional DSLR camera. As with the Nikon D800/D800E, firmware version 1.01 resolves an issue that, on rare occasions, caused the camera to lock up; and addresses a couple of bugs related to network functions and Custom Setting F15. You can download the firmware update from the website below.

Website: Nikon D4 Firmware Update 1.01

Nikon has posted a firmware update for the Nikon D800 digital SLR camera. Version B 1.01 resolves an issue that, in some rare cases, caused the camera to “lock up”, i.e. become completely unresponsive to all controls including the power switch (while reviewing the camera, we ran into this issue once - then and there, removing and reinserting the battery solved the problem). Additionally, the firmware update offers a fix for two minor bugs related to I) using the Nikon D800 with the optional WT-4 wireless transmitter and II) shooting in 5:4 crop mode with Active D-Lighting turned on. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below,

Website: Nikon D800 Firmware Update B 1.01 | Nikon D800E Firmware Update B 1.01

Nikon has issued a firmware update for the Nikon D700 full-frame digital SLR camera. Version 1.03 fixes a bug which, on rare occasions has caused pictures to be severely underexposed. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Nikon Europe

The Pentax K-30 is a new weatherproof mid-range DSLR camera. The 16 megapixel K-30 features a weather-resistant, dustproof and cold-proof body, a glass prism finder with nearly 100% field of view, high-speed shooting of six images per second, a 1/6000 second high shutter speed, and a full HD movie function. The Pentax K-30 will available in June in three colours, white, blue and black, priced at $849.95 / £599.99 for the body only, and $899.95 / £649.99 for the kit including the DA L 18-55mm zoom lens.

The Sony A37 is a new entry-level SLT camera. The A37 has a 16.1 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, high-speed shooting up to 7fps with Full-time Continuous AF, 3-cross 15-point phase detection autofocus system, and an ISO range of 100-16000. The new 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 telephoto zoom kit lens offers a generous 8x zoom range in a compact, go-anywhere lens. The Sony A37 will be available from the end of May 2012 for around £530 / $600.

Leica has released a firmware update for the Leica S2 medium-format digital SLR camera. Version 1.0.3.3 adds support for the new Leica S-Adapter H and improves flash synchronisation when using the Leica S2’s focal plane shutter at a shutter speed of 1/125th of a second. The firmware upgrade can be downloaded from the website below.

Website: Leica Owners’ Area

Canon has announced that its EOS 5D Mark II and 7D Digital SLR cameras have been used on the set of Marvel’s latest movie, “Marvel’s The Avengers.” Capturing POV action shots that can be seamlessly intercut with footage from the film’s principal 35mm and digital cinematography cameras, the digital SLR cameras have proven indispensable tools in “shooting additional angles that give film editors more options for creating powerfully immersive and kaleidoscopic views of action scenes,” explained the film’s cinematographer, Seamus McGarvey.