Hot Shoe Cover how important is it and why ?

**aslyfox** · 03-11-2020, 04:21 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

I have lost so many flash shoe covers over the years I swear there is a elfin sprite living under my house that lives in a subterranean abode made of them.

" they do exist . . . "

they also collect

one sock from each pair but at unscheduled times

lens caps

tops of tooth paste tubes

and more

but do not confuse them with these guys:

You Tube

pschlute · 03-11-2020, 04:29 AM

Originally posted by ffking

do modern Pentax flashes have a slot to store the hot shoe cover like some of the older ones did?

No, but if you use radio triggers they will have their own hotshoe. When I put my Cactus transmitter on the K1 the cover goes on the Cactus.

Originally posted by aslyfox

and I recently picked up three vintage Pentax SLR camera bodies: Z-1, Super Program and ME Super

none have hot shoe covers

The Z-1 would have had a hotshoe cover originally.

**aslyfox** · 03-11-2020, 04:33 AM

Originally posted by pschlute

. . . The Z-1 would have had a hotshoe cover originally.

thanks for that information

steve sessem · 03-11-2020, 07:14 AM

on some cameras were you able to move the hot shoe cover ,, to the view finder to keep light out on long exposures??

**aslyfox** · 03-11-2020, 07:20 AM

not that I know of

it is another small part easily lost

Pentax calls it a view finder cap

check the user manual diagram for your camera

35mmfilmfan · 03-11-2020, 07:57 AM

One accessory I would very much like, which could be hot-shoe mounted, is a portable laser to remove those annoying 'photo-bombers' who pop into frame just at the last milli-second. Could this be a crowd-funding concept, do you suppose ?

**aslyfox** · 03-11-2020, 08:05 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan

One accessory I would very much like, which could be hot-shoe mounted, is a portable laser to remove those annoying 'photo-bombers' who pop into frame just at the last milli-second. Could this be a crowd-funding concept, do you suppose ?

you could use it to get rid of those rude people between you and your target as well

Ontarian50 · 03-11-2020, 08:13 AM

It wasn't that long ago that hot-shoe covers only came with entry level camera bodies - at least that's definitely how Nikon did it 15-20 years ago. If you bought a basic SLR with built-in flash, there was a cover on the body as it came out of the box.

The higher end bodies without built-in flash, didn't come with a cover.

I gather the assumption was the high end user needed and bought an auxiliary flash, and used it regularly - so no need for a cover.

The entry-level buyer would not buy an accessory flash, using only the built-in one, at least for a year or so. However, when they did get one, pulling the cover off revealed pristine contacts. Photographers who don't use a hot-shoe flash regularly, often end up with corroded shoes and contacts. The biggest issue is getting stuck the tiny switch hidden under one rail of the shoe because of gunk or corrosion - then the camera thinks a flash is mounted and won't pop up the built-in one. A cover would help stop that.

Cameras without built-in flash, don't have or need that tiny switch, which gives another reason for not needing a cover.

And this explains why you have to have the right type of cover, if you're replacing an original one. If the cutaway for the tiny switch is on the wrong side, the switch gets depressed, and the flash won't lift. Sticking a Canon cover into my K-01 stops the flash lifting, and vice versa. The bubble level will do the same thing.

35mmfilmfan · 03-11-2020, 08:22 AM

Originally posted by aslyfox

you could use it to get rid of those rude people between you and your target as well

Do you know, I hadn't thought of that ...

BTW, never had a problem with socks going missing - no doubt they do, but since all my socks are black (for that very reason !), I never notice.

pete-tarmigan · 03-11-2020, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by blackcloudbrew

Read somewhere a ways back that Pentax considers the hot shoe cover (on their DSLRs) an important part of their weather resistant sealing.

I remember reading that too, and thinking it was odd. I can't remember where I read it, though.

**monochrome** · 03-11-2020, 09:17 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

I have lost so many flash shoe covers over the years I swear there is a elfin sprite living under my house that resides in a subterranean abode made of them.

A few years ago a hotshoe cover I had misplaced appeared one day in the very center of my dresser top. I just assumed my wife came across it on the floor somewhere and put it there, but when I sked where she found it she had no idea where it came from either.

Fairies?

**blackcloudbrew** · 03-11-2020, 12:28 PM

Originally posted by pete-tarmigan

I remember reading that too, and thinking it was odd. I can't remember where I read it, though.

Yep, getting older is a hard thing (in my case...).

---------- Post added 03-11-20 at 12:31 PM ----------

Originally posted by monochrome

A few years ago a hotshoe cover I had misplaced appeared one day in the very center of my dresser top. I just assumed my wife came across it on the floor somewhere and put it there, but when I sked where she found it she had no idea where it came from either.

Fairies?

I totally wish that had happened to at least one of the dozen or more of the darned things I've lost.

But I've slowly learned to put them in some place (other than a pocket in the pants I'm wearing (because they don't come out in the wash) or loose in my camera bag.

35mmfilmfan · 03-11-2020, 01:46 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by blackcloudbrew

Yep, getting older is a hard thing (in my case...).

'sfunny, I find that quite easy - in fact, even at my age, I manage it on an almost daily basis :

I fill my day with living
With sleep, I fill my night.
I live each day as if my last -
One day, I'll get it right.

3by2 · 03-11-2020, 01:48 PM - **2 Likes**

Ok, I just noticed I don't have a hot shoe cover. I'm sure I had a hot shoe cover. So if I open up my bag will it be there or not. Schrödinger's hot shoe cover.

jeallen01 · 03-11-2020, 02:10 PM

Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan

'sfunny, I find that quite easy - in fact, even at my age, I manage it on an almost daily basis :

I fill my day with living
With sleep, I fill my night.
I live each day as if my last -
One day, I'll get it right.

That should be in the Jokes thread!

03-11-2020, 08:22 AM	#39
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,329	Originally posted by aslyfox you could use it to get rid of those rude people between you and your target as well Do you know, I hadn't thought of that ... BTW, never had a problem with socks going missing - no doubt they do, but since all my socks are black (for that very reason !), I never notice. Last edited by 35mmfilmfan; 03-11-2020 at 08:24 AM. Reason: Socks

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03-11-2020, 04:29 AM	#32
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,198	Originally posted by ffking do modern Pentax flashes have a slot to store the hot shoe cover like some of the older ones did? No, but if you use radio triggers they will have their own hotshoe. When I put my Cactus transmitter on the K1 the cover goes on the Cactus. Originally posted by aslyfox and I recently picked up three vintage Pentax SLR camera bodies: Z-1, Super Program and ME Super none have hot shoe covers The Z-1 would have had a hotshoe cover originally.

03-11-2020, 04:33 AM	#33
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581 Original Poster	Originally posted by pschlute . . . The Z-1 would have had a hotshoe cover originally. thanks for that information

03-11-2020, 07:14 AM	#34
steve sessem New Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: western new york Posts: 6	on some cameras were you able to move the hot shoe cover ,, to the view finder to keep light out on long exposures??

03-11-2020, 07:20 AM	#35
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581 Original Poster	not that I know of it is another small part easily lost Pentax calls it a view finder cap check the user manual diagram for your camera

03-11-2020, 07:57 AM	#36
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,329	One accessory I would very much like, which could be hot-shoe mounted, is a portable laser to remove those annoying 'photo-bombers' who pop into frame just at the last milli-second. Could this be a crowd-funding concept, do you suppose ?

03-11-2020, 08:05 AM - 1 Like	#37
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581 Original Poster	Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan One accessory I would very much like, which could be hot-shoe mounted, is a portable laser to remove those annoying 'photo-bombers' who pop into frame just at the last milli-second. Could this be a crowd-funding concept, do you suppose ? you could use it to get rid of those rude people between you and your target as well

03-11-2020, 08:13 AM	#38
Ontarian50 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 530	It wasn't that long ago that hot-shoe covers only came with entry level camera bodies - at least that's definitely how Nikon did it 15-20 years ago. If you bought a basic SLR with built-in flash, there was a cover on the body as it came out of the box. The higher end bodies without built-in flash, didn't come with a cover. I gather the assumption was the high end user needed and bought an auxiliary flash, and used it regularly - so no need for a cover. The entry-level buyer would not buy an accessory flash, using only the built-in one, at least for a year or so. However, when they did get one, pulling the cover off revealed pristine contacts. Photographers who don't use a hot-shoe flash regularly, often end up with corroded shoes and contacts. The biggest issue is getting stuck the tiny switch hidden under one rail of the shoe because of gunk or corrosion - then the camera thinks a flash is mounted and won't pop up the built-in one. A cover would help stop that. Cameras without built-in flash, don't have or need that tiny switch, which gives another reason for not needing a cover. And this explains why you have to have the right type of cover, if you're replacing an original one. If the cutaway for the tiny switch is on the wrong side, the switch gets depressed, and the flash won't lift. Sticking a Canon cover into my K-01 stops the flash lifting, and vice versa. The bubble level will do the same thing.

03-11-2020, 08:52 AM	#40
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	Originally posted by blackcloudbrew Read somewhere a ways back that Pentax considers the hot shoe cover (on their DSLRs) an important part of their weather resistant sealing. I remember reading that too, and thinking it was odd. I can't remember where I read it, though.

03-11-2020, 09:17 AM	#41
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Digitalis I have lost so many flash shoe covers over the years I swear there is a elfin sprite living under my house that resides in a subterranean abode made of them. A few years ago a hotshoe cover I had misplaced appeared one day in the very center of my dresser top. I just assumed my wife came across it on the floor somewhere and put it there, but when I sked where she found it she had no idea where it came from either. Fairies?

03-11-2020, 12:28 PM	#42
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Originally posted by pete-tarmigan I remember reading that too, and thinking it was odd. I can't remember where I read it, though. Yep, getting older is a hard thing (in my case...). ---------- Post added 03-11-20 at 12:31 PM ---------- Originally posted by monochrome A few years ago a hotshoe cover I had misplaced appeared one day in the very center of my dresser top. I just assumed my wife came across it on the floor somewhere and put it there, but when I sked where she found it she had no idea where it came from either. Fairies? I totally wish that had happened to at least one of the dozen or more of the darned things I've lost. But I've slowly learned to put them in some place (other than a pocket in the pants I'm wearing (because they don't come out in the wash) or loose in my camera bag.

03-11-2020, 01:46 PM - 1 Like	#43
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,329	Originally posted by blackcloudbrew Yep, getting older is a hard thing (in my case...). 'sfunny, I find that quite easy - in fact, even at my age, I manage it on an almost daily basis : I fill my day with living With sleep, I fill my night. I live each day as if my last - One day, I'll get it right.

03-11-2020, 01:48 PM - 2 Likes	#44
3by2 Closed Account Join Date: Feb 2019 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 819	Ok, I just noticed I don't have a hot shoe cover. I'm sure I had a hot shoe cover. So if I open up my bag will it be there or not. Schrödinger's hot shoe cover.

03-11-2020, 02:10 PM	#45
jeallen01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,697	Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan 'sfunny, I find that quite easy - in fact, even at my age, I manage it on an almost daily basis : I fill my day with living With sleep, I fill my night. I live each day as if my last - One day, I'll get it right. That should be in the Jokes thread!