Allergic to your T4i DSLR? Canon preps hypoallergenic handgrips

A product advisory issued by Canon today for the EOS Rebel T4i digital SLR had us checking our calendars to make sure it wasn't April Fools' Day. Following hot on the heels of yesterday's curious advisory noting that some Canon T4i bodies suffered from identity crisis, the company has revealed that a separate batch of T4i bodies may show an issue with the handgrip changing color after brief use.

A mere cosmetic issue, you might think, but Canon has traced the T4i's white handgrip problem to a slightly excessive use of rubber accelerator, and noted that the white deposits could potentially cause an allergic reaction in very sensitive individuals. (The company is quick to note that it has not received any reports of injury or allergic reaction to date.)

The white deposit on the rubber handgrips is said to be Zinc N-N-dimethyldithiocarbamate, a compound that is sometimes used as a bactericide, disinfectant, fungicide, and insecticide.  The compound isn't actually used in the T4i's production; instead, it's created by a reaction of the accelerator used to speed vulcanization of the rubber handgrips. This reaction is apparently more likely to occur in high temperature, high humidity conditions, and the amount of the compound created by the reaction is said to be minimal.

The rubber handgrips of the Canon T4i--indicated with a red line--can discolor after brief use, and potentially cause an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. Image provided by Canon.

Canon says that the problem affects some T4i bodies--as well as their overseas equivalents, the EOS 650D and Kiss X6i--produced between May 31st and June 15th, 2012. These cameras have the number one as the sixth digit of the serial number; unaffected cameras have the number two or higher.

If your camera is affected, Canon USA will be offering a free repair service, which will exchange the rubber grips for new ones made with the correct quantity of rubber accelerator. The service program hasn't yet started, so Canon is asking owners of affected cameras to register their purchases. Owners of T4i-equivalents in other markets should contact their local Canon agent for advice.

Affected Canon T4i bodies will have a number one as the sixth serial number digit. Image provided by Canon.