Month missing
No - you haven't missed an issue of EOS-mail. We did not send one in May. Sorry. And to add to the confusion, the April issue had the March date at the top. Sorry again.

Latest EOS magazine
The June issue of EOS magazine was published earlier this month, and we've already had lots of complimentary feedback. The 80 pages include a beginner's guide to using flash in daylight, an inside view of the EOS 350D, advice on wildlife photography, and a look at equipment for storage and backup of your digital images when you are away from home. If you are not already a subscriber, information is available at:
EOS magazine online subscription
If you subscribe online, a free back issue is added to your first subscription.

EOS 350D silver kit
Unlike the EOS 300D, the new EOS 350D was launched in the UK as a black-only body. However, a silver version is now available exclusively through Jessops. It comes as a kit which includes the EF-S 18-55mm II f3.5-5.6 USM lens and a Canon bag. You can also claim a free 256MB CompactFlash card and up to GBP 625 in lens and accessory discount vouchers. The kit retails at GBP 699.99 through Jessops network of 270 stores, or at:
Jessops online

EOS 350D firmware update
Early models of the EOS 350D can give extreme underexposure with certain lenses. There is also a problem with the auto power off function, and the possibility of incorrect colour balance when using an external flash gun. However, these problems are addressed by firmware update 1.0.2. Full instructions and a download link are available at:
EOS 350D firmware update

EOS 1D Mark II and EOS 1Ds Mark II firmware updates
There is a problem with these pro cameras if you press the Display button immediately after shooting - the LCD monitor turns white, the camera hangs, and any images in the buffer are lost. Canon has released firmware updates to deal with this. However, in rare cases, the camera may still freeze if the Display button is pressed too soon, though images are not usually lost. New firmware updates are expected shortly. Information about the current firmware updates is available on the news pages of the EOS magazine website:
EOS pro digital firmware updates
We will update this as soon as new firmware becomes available. In the meantime, you can avoid the problem by waiting for at least five seconds after the images have been completely written to the media card (and the access light has gone out) before pressing the Display button.

Disappearance of images when using Lexar CompactFlash cards
Captured images on some Lexar 80x-speed CompactFlash cards can be lost when used with Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II, 1D Mark II, 20D and 350D cameras. Working together, Lexar and Canon have investigated the cause and confirmed that the problem occurs in extremely rare instances when these products are used together. To overcome the problem, Lexar has introduced a firmware update for its Professional 80x-speed cards. It is not possible for users to install the firmware. Instead, you must return an existing card to Lexar for a replacement. However, before returning the card, you have to obtain an RMA (Return Material Authorisation) number from the Lexar website at:
Lexar customer support

Using EOS cameras with studio flash
You might have read that Canon recommends a maximum 6 volt trigger for firing electronic flash (the trigger is a low-voltage current used to activate the much higher voltage flash which generates the bright illumination). But studio flash generally works with a trigger higher than 6 volts. Is this a problem? Well, it depends on the camera. If the camera has a PC socket for attaching the flash lead from the studio unit, a higher trigger voltage should be acceptable. This socket is usually rated for triggers up to 250 volts (avoid some old studio flash units, as these can generate triggers higher than 250 volts). If your camera does not have a PC socket, be wary of using a standard PC socket adaptor in the hot-shoe, as this can put a high voltage through the camera's low voltage circuits. There are two solutions. One is the Wein Safe Sync accessory. This attaches to the hot-shoe and provides a PC socket, but contains circuits which reduce triggers of up to 400 volts to 6 volts or less. The alternative is to fit the studio units with slave cells, fired by a low-power flash unit attached to the camera.

Cashback vouchers
Just a reminder that if you buy an EOS 350D or 20D over the next few months you will receive a book of cashback vouchers. The cameras carrying these offers come in clearly marked promotional packaging. There are 13 cashback vouchers in the booklet, giving money back on EF and EF-S lenses, Extenders, Speedlite flash guns and an inkjet printer. Further details are at:
Cashback vouchers