Contact Corrosion on Hotshoe

[Alison]

I noticed what I guess is corrosion of some sort on the hotshoe contacts a couple of weeks ago.

I’ve used a dedicated flash without any problem (since I noticed). Do I need to do something about it and, if so, what? :shrug:

Advice would be much appreciated

 

[mrwalsh]

i'm no expert, but you can clean it up with a pencil rubber, it is safe to use and won't cause any damage.

 

[andyred]

Would agree, probably best in the first instance to clean with a non abrasive

 

[arclight]

The green blobs look like verdigris.

Are the contacts on the flash unit the same type of metal as on the camera?

They should be because dissimilar metal in contact with each other cause corrosion through electrolytic action.

 

[Nod]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?TabID=1&criteria=usb&ModuleNo=3932&C=SO&U=Strat15

 

[classcams]

The green blobs look like verdigris.

Are the contacts on the flash unit the same type of metal as on the camera?

They should be because dissimilar metal in contact with each other cause corrosion through electrolytic action.

Well now, I have never heard that before. To say that for instance you cannot use a Metz flash on a Nikon camera to me is ridiculous. I admit you can get this fault on batteries, because the contacts are not plated. But all cameras and flashgun contacts are plated. What camera is that on your shot?

 

[PsiFox]

To say that for instance you cannot use a Metz flash on a Nikon camera to me is ridiculous.

He didn't say that only that the metal in the flash contacts should be different to that in the hotshoe mount

 

[arclight]

Well now, I have never heard that before. To say that for instance you cannot use a Metz flash on a Nikon camera to me is ridiculous. I admit you can get this fault on batteries, because the contacts are not plated. But all cameras and flashgun contacts are plated. What camera is that on your shot?

I never said you cannot use a Metz gun on a Nikon or any other gun/camera combination.
I said that if dissimialr metals are put in contact with each corrosion will follow, esp where an electrical current is present. Dampness will accelerate the process.
What may have happened here is that the plating may have become scratched or worn to expose a tiny bit of the base metal somewhere.

 

[classcams]

I have never seen scratch`s or marks on a hotshoe. It is a smooth action as the gun contacts are spring loaded to ride smoothly over the hotshoe contacts. Maybe steel wool was used to clean the contacts.

 

[seriousrikk]

Hi Alison, how you doing?
The previous suggestions of using a pencil eraser are the best starting point - don't use anything abrasive on it, chances are that abrasion is what caused it.

I have never seen scratch`s or marks on a hotshoe. It is a smooth action as the gun contacts are spring loaded to ride smoothly over the hotshoe contacts. Maybe steel wool was used to clean the contacts.

There are a lot of hotshoes out there you haven't seen and the springload action in flashguns while helps is far from perfect. Combine that with a bit of dust/grit and the plating will soon get scored. Add a day out in the recent british weather and hey presto! you get the effect above.

 

[arclight]

I have never seen scratch`s or marks on a hotshoe. It is a smooth action as the gun contacts are spring loaded to ride smoothly over the hotshoe contacts. Maybe steel wool was used to clean the contacts.

Yes, quite likely that some foreign agent has been present or the electro plating has been defective.

Best solution is to keep both surfaces very clean now and don't store the gun mounted on the camera.

 

[Alison]

Thanks all for taking the time to reply

The camera is a second hand Canon 30D which I purchased a few weeks ago. The flash is a 580EX II so I presume that metals in body and flash are compatible. I don’t know what flash unit the previous owner used or how the corrosion was caused. I certainly haven’t taken the camera out in wet weather nor has it been left anywhere damp even for a moment since I acquired it.

I’ve taken the pencil eraser advice (cheers for that folks ) which has improved things a great deal cosmetically and the flash continues to work well, fingers crossed.

Since initiating this thread I bumped into a local pro tog who suggested a gentle rubbing with methylated spirit on a cotton bud. Any thoughts on that as a future course of action? :shrug:

Best solution is to keep both surfaces very clean now and don't store the gun mounted on the camera.

I’ll monitor the situation and take the same step if/when the corrosion creeps back. The thought of storing gun on camera hadn’t even occurred to me – I put everything back in the box or bag immediately I’ve finished using it No wonder I miss those fabulous spontaneous shots that everyone else seems to capture!

Hi Alison, how you doing?

The previous suggestions of using a pencil eraser are the best starting point - don't use anything abrasive on it, chances are that abrasion is what caused it.

I’m good Richard, thanks – far too long since Tippy and Sol shot the breeze though! How are you? Next WL walk is at the Outwoods on 14th June if you fancy it; it would be really good so see you again

 

[Paulmack]

Since initiating this thread I bumped into a local pro tog who suggested a gentle rubbing with methylated spirit on a cotton bud. Any thoughts on that as a future course of action? :shrug

If I were in the same position as you I would use an alcohol based solution such as aftershave or perfume for cleaning electrical contacts rather than methylated spirits. It evaporates a whole lot quicker and is less likely cause sustained damage.

 

[Alison]

If I were in the same position as you I would use an alcohol based solution such as aftershave or perfume for cleaning electrical contacts rather than methylated spirits. It evaporates a whole lot quicker and is less likely cause sustained damage.

....and with the added bonus that I will be pleasantly fragrant as opposed to smelling like a wino!

Thanks for the tip