Best way to protect hotshoe from water
p.1 #1Best way to protect hotshoe from water
What's the best way to protect the hotshoe from water splashes (seascape photography)? In the past, I've gotten water in there and then I get the "accessory not supported" error as the contacts short.
I never use the flash. I could tape it shut but I don't want to leave residue and if water does get in, then I don't want it to sit and corrode everything instead of drying out. If that's the best option, what tape do you use?
I never use the flash. I could tape it shut but I don't want to leave residue and if water does get in, then I don't want it to sit and corrode everything instead of drying out. If that's the best option, what tape do you use?
Aug 14, 2026 at 10:08 AM
p.1 #2Best way to protect hotshoe from water
I have had the exact same issue with my sony bodies while shooting seascapes.
I got a couple accessory shoe covers- like these. They have worked for me.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1628793-REG/kondor_blue_kb_blhsc_bubble_level_hot_shoe.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&store=420&smpm=ba_f2_lar&lsft=BI%3A514&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1413790935&gbraid=0AAAAAD7yMh10_-SsfcXhjJ5fdZy4Wz4xy&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-frTBhCvARIsADv4XY4N155v6uHYearCC1tEajG6GtYFQ11rAwYKbuxRjx58szD3qODuefAaAqvkEALw_wcB
Shoot more.
gary
I got a couple accessory shoe covers- like these. They have worked for me.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1628793-REG/kondor_blue_kb_blhsc_bubble_level_hot_shoe.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&store=420&smpm=ba_f2_lar&lsft=BI%3A514&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1413790935&gbraid=0AAAAAD7yMh10_-SsfcXhjJ5fdZy4Wz4xy&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-frTBhCvARIsADv4XY4N155v6uHYearCC1tEajG6GtYFQ11rAwYKbuxRjx58szD3qODuefAaAqvkEALw_wcB
Shoot more.
gary
Aug 14, 2026 at 10:53 AM
p.1 #3Best way to protect hotshoe from water
I have found that these keep things dry in long exposure to light to moderate rain. More than that and I typically pull out a cover.
https://www.gpwalshdesigns.com/product/ultimate-hot-shoe-covers-v2-set-of-3-/TKZ3DRWPDSIQXS3BI44LX2GA?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=X4H4JGXFMFIEG47XVHSNQU42
For some reason the link is not working, but if you copy and paste into browser it will take you there.
https://www.gpwalshdesigns.com/product/ultimate-hot-shoe-covers-v2-set-of-3-/TKZ3DRWPDSIQXS3BI44LX2GA?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=X4H4JGXFMFIEG47XVHSNQU42
For some reason the link is not working, but if you copy and paste into browser it will take you there.
Aug 14, 2026 at 11:29 AM
p.1 #4Best way to protect hotshoe from water
I have something similar to those covers and it kinda worked ok but water still got in. The GP Walsh one looks solid though. I'll look around some more to see if there's better designs.
Aug 15, 2026 at 08:51 AM
p.1 #5Best way to protect hotshoe from water
Smallrig is also working on something: https://www.smallrig.com/eu/smallrig-hot-shoe-cover-for-sony-2pcs-full-black.html
Preorder for now though. I was thinking of getting these personally.
Preorder for now though. I was thinking of getting these personally.
Aug 15, 2026 at 09:00 AM
p.1 #6Best way to protect hotshoe from water
CPWarner wrote:
I have found that these keep things dry in long exposure to light to moderate rain. More than that and I typically pull out a cover.
https://www.gpwalshdesigns.com/product/ultimate-hot-shoe-covers-v2-set-of-3-/TKZ3DRWPDSIQXS3BI44LX2GA?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=X4H4JGXFMFIEG47XVHSNQU42
For some reason the link is not working, but if you copy and paste into browser it will take you there.
I recently got these covers, but haven't been in a rain situation with them yet. They took a bit of effort to put on, but if you aren't taking them on/off frequently, I think they will be good. They also add a little impact protection to the hot shoe area.
I have found that these keep things dry in long exposure to light to moderate rain. More than that and I typically pull out a cover.
https://www.gpwalshdesigns.com/product/ultimate-hot-shoe-covers-v2-set-of-3-/TKZ3DRWPDSIQXS3BI44LX2GA?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=X4H4JGXFMFIEG47XVHSNQU42
For some reason the link is not working, but if you copy and paste into browser it will take you there.
I recently got these covers, but haven't been in a rain situation with them yet. They took a bit of effort to put on, but if you aren't taking them on/off frequently, I think they will be good. They also add a little impact protection to the hot shoe area.
Aug 15, 2026 at 09:48 AM
p.1 #7Best way to protect hotshoe from water
amv8 wrote:
https://www.gpwalshdesigns.com/product/ultimate-hot-shoe-covers-v2-set-of-3-/TKZ3DRWPDSIQXS3BI44LX2GA?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=X4H4JGXFMFIEG47XVHSNQU42
For some reason the link is not working, but if you copy and paste into browser it will take you there.I recently got these covers, but haven't been in a rain situation with them yet. They took a bit of effort to put on, but if you aren't taking them on/off frequently, I think they will be good. They also add a little impact protection to the hot shoe area.
Yes, they are a bit stiff and can be a little challenging to put on. But they worked pretty well. The GP Walsh Designs covers are 3D printed and it is not clear that the wall thickness of the material was optimized for flexibility. Hopefully the Small Rig models will be easier to put on and off. The images they show suggest that they are not 3D printed, but molded. The small rig design looks a bit more thorough in its design. Nice to see options.
GPWalsh Designs cover
Small Rig Cover
CPWarner wrote
I have found that these keep things dry in long exposure to light to moderate rain. More than that and I typically pull out a cover.https://www.gpwalshdesigns.com/product/ultimate-hot-shoe-covers-v2-set-of-3-/TKZ3DRWPDSIQXS3BI44LX2GA?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=X4H4JGXFMFIEG47XVHSNQU42
For some reason the link is not working, but if you copy and paste into browser it will take you there.
Yes, they are a bit stiff and can be a little challenging to put on. But they worked pretty well. The GP Walsh Designs covers are 3D printed and it is not clear that the wall thickness of the material was optimized for flexibility. Hopefully the Small Rig models will be easier to put on and off. The images they show suggest that they are not 3D printed, but molded. The small rig design looks a bit more thorough in its design. Nice to see options.
GPWalsh Designs cover
Small Rig Cover
Aug 15, 2026 at 02:20 PM
p.1 #8Best way to protect hotshoe from water
I just use gaffer tape
Edited on Aug 15, 2026 at 04:11 PM · View previous versions
Edited on Aug 15, 2026 at 04:11 PM · View previous versions
Aug 15, 2026 at 02:44 PM
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p.1 #9Best way to protect hotshoe from water
Alan Parker wrote:
Smallrig is also working on something: https://www.smallrig.com/eu/smallrig-hot-shoe-cover-for-sony-2pcs-full-black.html
Preorder for now though. I was thinking of getting these personally.
I have those and it works well. The only issue I see is locking cause it doesn't go deep inside the hot shoe and it could be removed by itself or accident.
Smallrig is also working on something: https://www.smallrig.com/eu/smallrig-hot-shoe-cover-for-sony-2pcs-full-black.html
Preorder for now though. I was thinking of getting these personally.
I have those and it works well. The only issue I see is locking cause it doesn't go deep inside the hot shoe and it could be removed by itself or accident.
Aug 15, 2026 at 03:17 PM
p.1 #10Best way to protect hotshoe from water
GraysonLake1987 wrote:
Preorder for now though. I was thinking of getting these personally.I have those and it works well. The only issue I see is locking cause it doesn't go deep inside the hot shoe and it could be removed by itself or accident.
Yep - I have the all black ones which are supposedly an updated version less prone to falling off.
Not quite there yet. Already lost one.
Alan Parker wrote
Smallrig is also working on something: https://www.smallrig.com/eu/smallrig-hot-shoe-cover-for-sony-2pcs-full-black.htmlPreorder for now though. I was thinking of getting these personally.
Yep - I have the all black ones which are supposedly an updated version less prone to falling off.
Not quite there yet. Already lost one.
Aug 15, 2026 at 04:08 PM
p.1 #11Best way to protect hotshoe from water
You could try a Nikon BS-3.
I think they do a good job of keeping water out.
They're all rubber.
Being all rubber, they get ripped off in your bag easily as the rubber is grippy.
I think they do a good job of keeping water out.
They're all rubber.
Being all rubber, they get ripped off in your bag easily as the rubber is grippy.
Aug 16, 2026 at 03:17 AM
p.1 #12Best way to protect hotshoe from water
Douglas L wrote:
I just use gaffer tape
I've tried a couple of different covers, but gaffes tape works best.
Aug 16, 2026 at 06:34 AM
p.1 #13Best way to protect hotshoe from water
Choderboy wrote:
You could try a Nikon BS-3.
I think they do a good job of keeping water out.
They're all rubber.
Being all rubber, they get ripped off in your bag easily as the rubber is grippy.
The Nikon BS-3 covers do not stay attached well in my experience.
You could try a Nikon BS-3.
I think they do a good job of keeping water out.
They're all rubber.
Being all rubber, they get ripped off in your bag easily as the rubber is grippy.
The Nikon BS-3 covers do not stay attached well in my experience.
Aug 17, 2026 at 05:44 PM
p.1 #14Best way to protect hotshoe from water
GraysonLake1987 wrote:
Alan Parker wrote
Smallrig is also working on something: https://www.smallrig.com/eu/smallrig-hot-shoe-cover-for-sony-2pcs-full-black.htmlPreorder for now though. I was thinking of getting these personally.
Lost both in less then 2 weeks!
I will certainly not recommend them.
As you say does not go deep into the hotshoe. Perhaps only a few mm.
Aug 18, 2026 at 09:52 AM
p.1 #15Best way to protect hotshoe from water
I bought the GPWalsh covers but regardless of how hard I worked at it I could not get any of them on my A1m2. The short video they have showing how to put them on makes it look easy.
Aug 22, 2026 at 11:12 AM
p.1 #16Best way to protect hotshoe from water
Apply a thin layer of clear silicone sealer over the flat contacts. You can remove it later if you want to use a flash.
Aug 22, 2026 at 12:41 PM