I need to find instructions for changing the hotshoe on a Canon 1D mk1....Gonna jump on Google later in the day, but thought I'd ask here first (if I find the answer, I'll post it back in this thread)
History (long version)
....I have an original 1D and use a Metz54-3 flash.....unfortunately, it quit firing reliably.......in Auto mode it would fire sometimes without me shooting and if I point the camera up it won't fire at all.....if I loosen the flash (don't tighten it all the way down), it will do better, but it will rock front and back when I swing the camera......if I tightened it all the way down, it won't synch...(and will fire independently at random times). Basically I thought I had a problem with the Flash Foot....so...
I sent the flash back to Bogen (twice)....they changed this and that and said everything checked out..... So what does smart me finally come up with.... yep, it's a problem with my camera hotshoe..... (have a buddy with a 1D and my metz works flawlessly mounted on his camera)...
I called Canon and they will be happy to replace the hotshoe OR send me the part, but "WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS" on how to change it.....ie, absolutely no tech support....I need the camera in the next couple of weeks and from experience, I know I won't be able to get it back in time... So, does anybody know where to get repair instructions.....
Lift up the black insert in the bottom of the hotshoe with a fine screwdriver and slide it out.
There are four screws now exposed which attach the hotshoe to the body...............electrically I don't know if the wiring is soldered or has connectors so you're on your own now!
However the biggest problem is that the hotshoe screws come loose a little and then the electrical connections go all erratic.
SO, if it's your lucky day, it may be that all you have to do is slide out the insert and retighten the screws and replace the insert.
PaulB wrote:
Lift up the black insert in the bottom of the hotshoe with a fine screwdriver and slide it out.
Make sure the camera is switched off so that there is no power to the hot shoe.
You lift the front of the plate (the end towards the lens) by puting the fine screwdriver or pin under the plate near the large part of the key-hole-shaped opening. The screwdriver is facing towards the front of the camera when you do this. Once you lift that front part a little (say a mm or so) you can then slide the plate towards the back of the camera (over the viewfinder eyepiece) and it just pops out. No glues, springs, washers or whatever to worry about, but try not to loe the plate
There are four screws now exposed which attach the hotshoe to the body...............electrically I don't know if the wiring is soldered or has connectors so you're on your own now!
However the biggest problem is that the hotshoe screws come loose a little and then the electrical connections go all erratic.
SO, if it's your lucky day, it may be that all you have to do is slide out the insert and retighten the screws and replace the insert.
Loosen each screw slightly and then re-tighten them. If you don't loosen them first then you might think they are already tight when in fact they are not tight enough. Be sure to use the correct size Philips screw driver or you may strip the screw. At this stage do not bother trying to open up the hot shoe because there's probably no need.
When done with the screws just slide the little key-hole plate back into position. It will click into place when you've pushed it far enough.
I've had to do this procedure with three of my Canon DSLRs over the years and they all behaved correctly once it was done.
PaulB & Alan321--thanks for the quick replies and instructions....I haven't been able to find out anything about repairing this isse (manuels, etc) on the web, so hopefully you have provided the answer....
Gonna head to an electronics shop I know to get a small enough screw driver....will report back if this works..
This was happening with my old body too. I took off the top of the hotshoe, tightened the screws and it's been working since.
I believe some call it a "jeweler's screwdriver" if that helps fine one.
Here's a tutorial I found when I needer to repair the hotshoe on a 1DsII: http://www.conraderb.com/flashrepair/
It's for a 20D but it's exactly the same on a 1D.
Well...two of the screws were less than tight....have tightened them, cleaned the contacts on the hotshoe with an erasor and used some alcohol on the prongs on the flash foot....I 'think' it's better....I'm going to look into the 'switch' thing when I get home later (thanks for the link Peter)....
I'm also going to use my bracket and cord and see if that makes a difference (don't know why it would unless the weight of the flash is causing some connection problem)
anyway, thanks for all the tips/suggestions....will post back my findings...
