View Full Version : Hot Shoe issues


Chris Wright
April 4th, 2005, 09:29 PM
Here's what i'm currently working with:

AT8415 Shock Mount:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=68143&is=REG
along with this shock mount shoe adapter:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=68160&is=REG&addedTroughValue=68143_REG&addedTroughType=accessory
and the Senn G2 receiver with shoe adapter:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=324229&is=REG

Right now, the AT8415 shock mount is mounted on the GL2's hot shoe, and the Senn G2 receiver is mounted on the Mini Rover:
Mini Rover: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=194070&is=REG
and setup pics: http://homepage.mac.com/cwright3/PhotoAlbum49.html

So, finally we get to the question: why is it that the shoe mounts for the wireless receiver and the shock mount are different?
The shoe mount adapter for the shock mount is arced slightly just enough so that it will mount on the camera's hot shoe, but will not fit on the Mini Rover's cold shoe. The wireless receiver, however, is flat and fits on either mounting point.

I really wanted to mount the shock mount on top of the Mini Rover, so that I could use an adapter like this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=146293&is=REG
on the GL2's hot shoe. This way, I could mount the wireless receiver vertically above the camera and still have another cold shoe to mount an on camera light.

If I havent confused everyone already... is there a workaround to make this setup work?

Thanks

Chris Wright
April 6th, 2005, 09:29 PM
anyone?

Greg Gerber
April 14th, 2005, 08:10 PM
I believe it is to prevent the hot shoe electrical contacts from being shorted by the metal adapter. If the adapter is only going to be used on a cold shoe it could possibly be filed with a metal file to fit.

Chris Wright
April 15th, 2005, 11:41 AM
thanks for the reply. I still find it very frustrating that my AT8415 shockmount won't mount onto the Mini Rover's cold shoe... filing it down may force it to fit, but I don't really like the sound of that unless its the only way.

I wonder... is there a different version of that $10 shock mount -> cold shoe adapter available that does fit the Mini Rover's shoe? I suppose since it is this adapter that doesnt fit, and not the actual shock mount, that I wouldn't mind spending another $10 to get one that fits onto the Mini Rover.

Thanks again

Marco Leavitt
April 15th, 2005, 12:05 PM
I'm a little puzzled why you're hot-shoe adapter won't fit on the Mini Rover. I use that adapter all the time and it fits just fine on my Mini-Rover. That Mamiya adapter will not fit on my Mini Rover however. It's plastic too, by the way.

Chris Wright
April 15th, 2005, 02:37 PM
wow... i'm sorry guys, i'm an idiot.

there are two parts to the adapter, and i didnt realize that both of them could screw up and down. turns out i just had to unscrew it a little more to give it a bit more clearance. So it fits just fine, my fault... should have spent some more time with it before posting :-)

anyway, how do you like the Maiyma Shoe adapter? (assuming you have one). I want to get it to allow me to easily mount the Senn. G2 vertically, since supposedly it will get better reception that way. Is it built well?

thanks again

Marco Leavitt
April 15th, 2005, 02:54 PM
I do use the Mamiya. It's handy to mount a mic and VU meter at the same time. I like the design, but it's a damn shame that the foot and tightening ring are plastic. Sooner or later it's going to strip. The rest of it is metal though, and very solid. We also have a light and softbox I had originally wanted to use on it, but it's really not built to handle that kind of weight.

Chris Wright
April 15th, 2005, 03:12 PM
well thats dissapointing... the picture of it on B&H appears as if its pretty sturdy, but i dont know why they would make the foot/tightening ring plastic...

my plan was to use the angled shoe for the wireless receiver and the flat shoe (the one directly above the camera's hot shoe) for a Frezzi Micro Fill and softbox. Do you really think this adapter won't handle that much weight?

Marco Leavitt
April 15th, 2005, 03:38 PM
I wouldn't do it. With that much money perched on top of your camera, you need to make sure its tightened on there good, and you just don't want to use that much force with a plastic ring. Cool-Lux makes a Y shaped adapter that may be metal (I don't know specifically, but it seems rugged), but it looks like something out of Dr. Seuss.

Chris Wright
April 15th, 2005, 04:08 PM
yea, i think i've seen that one, but i really didnt like it. It seems way too big for what it does, and would add alot more height to the camera than I want. The Mamiya adapter seems to be the perfect size.

Do you (or anyone else) happen to know of any other adapters similar in size to the Mamiya one, thats more rugged?

Marco Leavitt
April 15th, 2005, 05:35 PM
You could always break off the plastic foot of the Mamiya and attach the AudioTechnica shoe adapter with epoxy. I've been meaning to try that.