GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Most of my life I've just used a pencil erasor or an electronic spray cleaner with a swab to clean my hot shoe(s). This has always works very well.

Last month my strobe started acting up so I cleaned it several times. It did not help. Because my warrenty was about to expire, I sent the strobe and camera in for checking out.

The company sent me an email saying they only cleaned the hot shoe and all worked for them. (Strange???)

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Two questions:

1 What is the accepted "official" method to clean a Hot Shoe?

The manual says not to use any chemical that will attack plastic so I use a silicone based electronic spray cleaner. (...and not that often either.)

2 I live in Michigan, (colder). The camera service is in Arizona, (much warmer). Do you think the hot shoe post could have a temperature sensitive crack that is acting up?

steve Loc: Iowa

? Maybe a light buffing with Emory cloth.

snowbear

Use contact cleaner. Spray it on a piece of cloth, then wipe down the hotshoe contact.

JohnnyRottenNJ Loc: Northern New Jersey

I don't think it's a good idea to use any abrasive material in cleaning any part of your camera. The hot shoe may get a little dusty or dirty, but a little contact cleaner on a Q-tip has always worked for me. Most DSLR's come with a little plastic cover that sits inside the hotshoe. Unless you do a lot of flash photography, keeping that cover in place will go a long ways towards NOT having to clean the hotshoe in the first place.

Cappy Loc: Wildwood, NJ

Have purchased several cameras and never seen nor heard of hotshoe covers. I think it's a great idea. Just ordered some from EBAY, at less than $1.00 each (some because they are small & I know I will lose a few).

jackinkc Loc: Kansas City

No doubt hotshoe covers are a great idea. I, however, have never been able to keep track of any of these little devils once they are removed for flash attachment. I used to use pencil erasers to clean camera contacts, but no more. So many modern contacts are lightly plated in gold that any abrasive material may, over time, damage the surface. A little contact cleaner, or even alcohol, is what I now use. A Q-tip is an excellent applicator.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

I think my cover was lost in an old shirt a year or two ago and I never purchased a replacement! :oops: