Nikon SLR cameras come with a little plastic hot shoe cover that is easy to lose. Replacements cost $5 or more at camera stores. Meritline sells a generic made-in-China replacement for 99 cents. Free shipping.
If you use your camera in dusty environments, this hot shoe cover can keep dirt off of your hot shoe contacts. In theory, dirty contacts can cause short circuits and damage your flash or your camera.
Thanks. Stuff for my SLR that I didn't even think I needed.
backpacker2004
New Member
posted: Nov. 11, 2009 @ 1:43p
you don't need one. I've operated a camera without a hot shoe cover for 3yrs with no problems. I guess some people like to have plastic covering their hotshoe. Those that actually use the hotshoe often, like myself, tend to get annoyed with having to remove the plastic place holder.
be careful...why you say? Because this little piece of plastic caused me 2 weeks of headaches.
I bought one for my new Canon DSLR. I could not figure out why my pop-up flash would not work, I tried everything and was at my wit's end. I called Canon to send it back to be repaired. While packing it up, I removed the shoe-cover and accidentally hit the shutter. My Flash then popped up ! It took me awhile to put 2 and 2 together, but evidently on the canon, if the hotshoe is covered, the camera thinks it is always a flash and therefore disabled my pop-up....all that trouble for a $1.00 piece of plastic !
AlanS17
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 11, 2009 @ 2:20p
FWIW, I've never kept mine on, and it's never been a problem. I think it's for the truly paranoid. Also, even at $1, Meritline is probably making 1000% profit. That little plastic piece should cost 10 cents. At $10, it probably represents one of Nikon's greatest accessory rip-offs.
I don't even think that my 4 year old D70, purchased new, came with one/didn't know it was supposed to.
soseono
Member
posted: Nov. 11, 2009 @ 2:30p
MrSnappy, that's a Canon-exclusive problem due to Canon having some sensor near the edge of hot shoe plate that can be pressed with generic hot shoe cover. You have to purchase a cover from Canon to avoid having the issue, or purchase something made exclusively for Canon DSLRs. Anyway, thanks OP for posting the deal because I have a Panasonic which can use this Nikon generic and I needed a backup. I bought my first one from B&H for $2.95 + $5 shipping!
chihungyip
New Member
posted: Nov. 11, 2009 @ 3:48p
I just ordered 3. Those little thing will get lost pretty easy and it is good to always have a spare.
mognet
New Member
posted: Nov. 12, 2009 @ 12:41a
Same here, my new D300 didn't come with one. It's been fine without, and I do use the hotshoe fairly often... but $1 is a lot better than $10 if I do feel like getting a cover, so thanks, OP!
herbamatic
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 12, 2009 @ 9:25a
how about duct tape?
DEALicous
Happy Member
posted: Nov. 12, 2009 @ 9:39a
OR invest in a REAL flash. Trust me, ITS VERY WELL WORTH IT.
Disclaimer: By providing links to other sites, FatWallet.com does not guarantee, approve or endorse the information or products available at these sites, nor does a link indicate any association with or endorsement by the linked site to FatWallet.com.
Members of our community may attach files to a post in accordance with the User Agreement. FatWallet is not responsible for the content, accuracy, completeness or validity of any information contained in any attached file. Files have *not* been scanned for viruses. Be especially wary of Excel files which may contain malicious content.
Click to copy code and go to .