How to repair a Canon R6 loose hot shoe

[@ProPhotoRental]

Thanks! This saved us from sending two of these bodies in (outside of warranty, naturally). Shame on Canon for such a shoddy assembly job on these! Your video was extraordinarily helpful. Really appreciate it!

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

Awesome you’re welcome!

[@BrentCalver]

Right? On Canon bodies just a model or two prior, I've seen vids where you just slide out the little metal 'liner' of the hot shoe, and tighten the screws from the outside. This is only an active choice by Canon to make repair more difficult or prohibitive.

[@peterhsu987]

You have saved yourself $1,000 by doing it yourself!

[@guicbenites]

I literally thought this was a prank at first because that much work to fix a loose hot shoe seems insane. It’s crazy that you have to take the entire camera apart 😮

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

Yeah earlier models the screw was right on top!

[@Koi-Koi-Koi]

yes what a shit product!! at older versions you had just to pull of the little plate at the shoe and the screws where under it.. ...now you must open the whole camera!!! WTF!

[@BrentCalver]

Right? On Canon bodies just a model or two prior, I've seen vids where you just slide out the little metal 'liner' of the hot shoe, and tighten the screws from the outside. This is only an active choice by Canon to make repair more difficult or prohibitive.

[@stephaniebrazzle9686]

Man i have an old canon 1v film camera that the hotshoe is broken and thought about replacing it until i saw this video lol

[@brsku3]

I followed this tutorial on my EOS R and it worked as well. Only major difference is the back left hot shoe screw to tighten down is hidden behind another cable that I did not want to undo. I left it alone and secured the other 3. The R's screw cover flaps are not as big and are tough to work with...I didn't do a great job on those. Cables were the tricky part putting back together... be patient and delicate. A sharp #000 phelps screw driver will be needed for all the screws, otherwise they may strip with anything bigger. THANKS for the details and conversations throughout... so helpful.

[@mamavest]

I just have to say I’ve used this video four times now to fix this piece of garbage. Thank u so much! I hope Canon figures out this is a real issue. My old canon screwed the hot shoe in from the exterior but I never had any issues with it . This one’s a nightmare.

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

I know. Hopefully they will learn from this. I’m sure they will.

[@JaredGuv]

Thank you for this video! It saved me from upgrading unnecessarily to a mark 2, will soldier on with my mark 1 for a little longer. As someone who relies on my camera for my work, I was able to fix my camera using this video the day before I had to pitch up to a shoot. Appreciate you dude!

[@camerariggingmods9667]

❤ 15 minutes and it was fixed thanks to you 🙏

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

Thanks! That was fast!

[@StirGreer]

Thanks for this! I used it to replace the prism on my EOS R - saved me over $300!

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

Wow! Nice work!

[@samanthaf6604]

Thank you!!!! I bought verbatim everything you used and my husband did one of my cameras tonight in less than an hour. He didn't have to take the eye attachment totally out (since he wasn't filming a diy) and he said the hot shoe screws basically were falling out and were held in place by that layer of tape. Then they almost fell into the camera but got caught because of the magnetic screw driver. So crazy. Thank you so much!

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

Awesome! You’re welcome!

[@ronprins6402]

Wow, what a wonderful video. The way you explain each step during disassembly and putting it all back together again was so helpful. What was an intimidating project turned out relatively easy. Thankyou so much!

[@TheCrushMedia]

attempted this myself after a long time debating on it. thanks for much for this easy follow along, it actually not as intimidating as it looks. anyone trying this if youre half decent with this kind of work, watch the video once or twice first so you know the steps and then follow along, take your time. Thanks again for this!

[@TheCrushMedia]

also fuck canon for making this such a process, old cameras you could do this in 5 minutes on the hotshoe itself. now instead of fixing this problem they are instead profiting from it. joke

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

You’re welcome. Thank you for the comment. I’m glad to know it’s been helpful!

[@lynbyrd482]

No way do I feel comfortable taking my entire camera apart just to fix my hotshoe, this is crazy that they built it like this!!

[@DavidLok]

Bedankt

[@flyingarmyaerial]

Thanks for the video..and definitley not for the faint of heart. You don't have to remove the viewfinder of ribbon cable, just carefully hold it out of the way when taking out and putting back the hotshoe screws.

[@RianTan-n1e]

Have you tried it yourself not removing the EVF ribbon cable? Can you access the horse shoe mount properly? Thank you.

[@danialicea]

Hi! I just did the repair however when I turn my R6 back on, the display and viewing of the photo is upside down. Any tips?

[@trunzbox5264]

How much loctite on the screws? just a thin thin coating? I hope you're still seeing these comments 😐 I am about to do this. With this video I feel pretty confident I can do this. Thanks so much!

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

A drop is good

[@romeofinn4047]

You sir are a king, thank you for the save!

[@dusty_burkhalter]

Great video, you really know your stuff....although the fact that this video exists has talked me out of buying a used R6 and maybe even a new one lol.

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

That’s wise.

[@rosieyang15]

i see that in the video you used 243 locktite. but the amazon link is a 242 locktite. Is there a huge difference? Do you recommend using the 243 instead?

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

243 is slightly higher strength. I have had no repeat issues (I’ve done this repair about 6 times and some about 3 years ago)so I think 243 is the way to go. But 242 is still medium strength. Looks like 243 is slightly newer technology.

[@rosieyang15]

@@richardsvacuumcenter thank you!

[@ccc3]

Why in God's name would they choose to screw the hot shoe from the inside instead of the other way around like it has been for decades?

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

I know! crazy huh?

[@gottgold9776]

for money. also this new hot shoe is made of crap alloy

[@MartinMonteroFotografo]

Hello! thank you very much for this video! Could you tell me what type and size of screws the camera has? So I know what kit to buy! Thanks again!

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

kit recommended is in the description

[@MartinMonteroFotografo]

@@richardsvacuumcenter Yes, I saw it, but it is very expensive for me to purchase the same kit (i am Argentine) and I wanted to know more exactly what type and size are needed and only buy those same ones. Thanks for the prompt response!

[@doorsx111x]

Perfect, thanks. Broke my hot shoe screws on a camera drop and can't attach anything now. Will fix it now.

[@curtpthagemini978]

This was a life saver!! Greatly appreciate you and this tutorial! 🙏🏾🙏🏾 😎

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

Glad it helped!

[@johncaulfield1576]

Thank you very much for making this video. I followed the directions and fixed the problem! Two questions: In the process I lost one screw. It is the top screw under the flap that covers the USB and HDMI ports. You wouldn't happen to know what size that screw is and where I could get it. Second where did you get the mat that you used in the video to keep track of all the screws? Thanks, John

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

Hey john! No idea on what size that screw is! The mat I got from Amazon. It’s an anti static mat.

[@CaliDillmore]

Anyone have issues with the screwdriver kit he recommended stripping the screws? I don’t want to go any farther until I get the CORRECT size screwdriver head that holds firm to these screws???

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

Thanks for the feedback. I’ll look into this.

[@CaliDillmore]

@@richardsvacuumcenter uhhhh… it was JUST the screws around the eyepiece that I struggled with! I kept going and went REALLY painfully slow! Only my first three slipped… so maybe I wasn’t holding screwdriver correctly, or maybe just those screws were off or something! Thank you for even responding!!! I DID IT AND IM SOOOO THANKFUL!!!

[@chrisbravo6879]

honetly helpful i did did with my RP and even tho the layout is a little different in terms of finding the screws it helped heaps, bloody canon for not putting loctite on mine, at the same time i cleaned my evf haha flash now sits nice and tight in there

[@laxenphoto]

Thank You very much! It cost me $38 for an anti static mat and a 132 piece electronic screw driver set with a JIS (Japinise Industrial Standard) JIS0000 bit. Canon quoted me $457 to do the repair. I had only 1 screw holding the hot shoe on my R6 after 3 years of use. The other 3 were hanging by a thread. I'm wondering if that had something to do with camera settings mysteriously changing and the camera blacking out over the last 1-1/2 or so....

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

My wife (pro wedding photog) confirmed that your blacking out issue was related to the loose hot shoes. Glad to know you saved so much! Crazy that canon is charging that much especially since it’s their own fault.

[@laxenphoto]

@@richardsvacuumcenter Customer service said it would be included in there 16 point ($169) maintenance check during a chat. The next day when I was going to send it in the entry said tighten hot shoe external screws. Was a little confusing since the screws were internal. Did not want to send it in and have that surprise. Your video made it manageable. Took me an hour. It all worked on the first try, yah! Could actually feel the viewfinder ribbon set in place using a tweezers. I'm a Pro high volume sports photographer.

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

@@laxenphoto I see. Well glad it worked out!

[@jessicatones7503]

Could you please share the links to what products you used so that I can make sure I get the appropriate things.

[@QueenB_Dillard]

Curious.. why the anti static? Please do not come for me,.. I know nothing about electronics in this manner but my hot shoe mount fell off and I do not have time or money to send it in with an event in 2 days!

[@bredner94]

Thank you so much for this video tutorial. I succesfully fixed mine .

[@SuperLuckyMAX]

hello, yesterday I did this procedure, exactly followed the instructions, as you said. after assembly, the camera does not turn on. what could be?

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

Battery installed? That’s obvious but gotta ask 😊 I’m not exactly sure man. I would recommend going back and repeating the assembly procedure again. Best of luck. Let me know. Hope you get it figured out.

[@TheOriginalGregToo]

Hopefully you figured this out, but in case you didn't, I took my R5 apart for a different reason, and after reassembly found that it wouldn't turn on. I panicked, took it apart again, and reassembled it again, but still wouldn't work. I let it sit for a couple of minutes with a battery in it, and suddenly I was able to turn it on. There appears to be something that needs to charge back up after disassembly in order for it to work. I don't know what, but the solution was to put the camera back together and let it sit (turned off) with a battery in it for a couple of minutes.

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

@@TheOriginalGregToo Interesting. Thanks for sharing Greg. I know that panic feeling! lol I had take several tries at getting that pesky ribbon cable connected for the screen to work. -_-

[@GMRivium]

after this tutorial i need to change sensor 😀 i have many years experience repairs laptops but seems ill do also camera, thanks

[@peterhsu987]

I literally just dropped off my R5 at the post office to ship to Newport News VA. My 3rd such repair, and was disgusted to find out that they have increased the repair to $500 + tax. (with Gold membership I got $100 off but still $426 w/tax + shipping). Having learned lessons from my 5D3 I improvised a bracket for the cameras (now my R3, R5 and R6) to mount the speed lights on and use a radio trigger on hot shoe to trigger the speedlight next to it and other slaves. Still, my R6 had to be sent in last summer and today the R5. I wonder if any class action had been brought up because this is apparently a serious flaw in their design.

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

Possibly!

[@bicarafoundation]

Hai sir my canon 90d hotshoe is loose.are the 90d same design hotshoe like R6..must open entire body to repair it??

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

I do not know if they are the same. Sorry

[@TheCrushMedia]

90d screws are on the stop, take out the metal that slides over the hotshoe and youll be able to tighten those!

[@homerhorowitz7649]

Ugh. Really hoping this was not going to be that hard. Anyone know about how much canon charges do this?

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

I’ve heard $300+

[@homerhorowitz7649]

Current time me coming in to answer my question for the past: it cost $400 with the canon gold protection plan but they also fixed my spotty/loose usb-C port that I tether with.

[@stevepiggott4099]

Does the rubber stick back down permanently or should it have some kind of glue put on it ?

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

It hasn’t been an issue so far. I would just leave it as is and if it becomes a problem then you could put a small dab of glue under. But not too much in case you have your camera serviced in the future! 👍🏼

[@stevepiggott4099]

Many thanks I shall attempt the repair using your video taking my time to follow it carefully

[@RamReddyphotographer]

Thank you bro I have Canon R6 same problem I repaired my self with your reference video Thank you

[@smolderingmess9]

Hey Ram - prior to fixing your hotshoe, were your flashes going absolutely haywire? full dump sometimes, bad communication, etc etc? My hot shoes are loose on the R6 and R5 and my flashes do the most insane things. Never had this issue previously.

[@smolderingmess9]

Wow man, you're out here doing God's work. My R5 and my R6 both have this issue and I attempted to tackle it 6 months ago and gave up. I think I can get through it with these instructions. My big question is - my flashes go haywire, and I'm wondering if it's strictly due to the loose hotshoes. Can you ask your wife what she's been experiencing from her flashes prior to the issue being fixed, and what flash system she's on? THANKS AGAIN!! Sending paypal tip now.

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

I'll ask her! Thank you! My first thought is that the flashes could definitely be affected by this loose connection. Being in the vacuum repair industry I have seen lots of crazy things that are caused by a non-secured electric connection. So it would be my guess that once you get your hot shoes secured, you will cease to have flash issues.

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

She uses Godox flashes. They were not flashing regularly when her hot shoes were loose. Now they are acting fine. You can test this by pressing firmly down on your flash while shooting to replicate it being secured and seeing if your flash is reliable when you are pressing it down firmly.

[@rylo444]

I use a godox v1 and my hot shoe is loose. The flash goes haywire and seems to fire at different strengths whenever it pleases.

[@smolderingmess9]

@@rylo444 does your camera so ever go into auto iso mode, seemingly for no reason? I feel like a mis communication with the flashes has to be the culprit but for the life of me I can't nail it down. It happens 2-3 times a wedding and will send the iso up to 12800.

[@rylo444]

@@smolderingmess9 Yes! Always at the most inconvenient times also. Not a huge fan of this camera to be honest. Hesitant to get the mark 2 but hopefully canon fixed the issues

[@bollywoodphotographe]

A very big thanks for making this video

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

Yw!

[@Taj_Irl]

Ima about to just switch brands at this point , Sony overheat but I rather deal with that than having to do this any day Thank you for the video

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

That’s understandable. Hopefully canon is receptive to these complaints

[@Koytch]

Great video and explanation. Surprised you didn't have to vacuum it out in case there were other loose parts in there floating around. ;-)

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

😆

[@addison142]

I can't get the view finder plugged back in

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

Don't give up! It is pretty tricky to get it aligned. You'll know when it snaps in that you got it right. I struggled a little with that connection too. It doesn't help that you have to hold the screen in your other hand. Best of luck!

[@mikeyhawman5855]

Thanks for saving me some money ✌🏻

[@harrisongould9460]

This is the reason I bought a cage from SmallRig and a Vello Off-Camera TTL Flash Cord for Canon Cameras (3'). Problem fixed.

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

yes, less weight on that connection will definitely help

[@harrisongould9460]

@@richardsvacuumcenter NO weight on the connector...Z E R O ! BYW...you're a brave man taking apart a camera like that...that's a '4 point move' in Olympic Wrestling.

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

@@harrisongould9460 🤣 thanks! I had to look up that wrestling reference lol....I have been taking things a part for 15+ years so I am reasonably confident

[@weezyg.5724]

bro you gonna save us, you must be an angel :)

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

Haha thanks! Glad to help!

[@Boremanov]

Спасибо мужик. Помог очень сильно

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

I cant’t figure out how to translate!

[@Boremanov]

@@richardsvacuumcenter Thanks man. You've helped me a lot.

[@loveinmedia]

Key Tip DO NOT USE PHILLIPS, USE JIS ONLY! I almost stripped my screws!! For all Japanese electronics always!!!!

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

Thanks! What is JIS?

[@loveinmedia]

@@richardsvacuumcenter Japanese Industry Standard, I bought some VESSELs that come JIS.

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

@@loveinmedia got ya. thanks. I have done this procedure twice and have not had an issue stripping screws. Are you talking about stripping the screw thread or the head of the screw?

[@loveinmedia]

@@richardsvacuumcenter The head of the screw, you may be using JIS screwdrivers already, but I bought a small tiny set without knowing the diff and I almost stripped the first 2 screws. JIS works on both phillips and JIS, whereas phillips recommended only for phillips. Also as a wedding photographer my camera gets in the elements so its possible the screw was stuck. I even used wd-40 on them to help out. Zero issues after got the new JIS screwdriver. Lots of posts on the internet of these screwdrivers saving people thousands.(especially for cameras, Canon/nikon).

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

@@loveinmedia cool good to know. The screw driver set I was using was from my grandfather so who knows how old it is. but it has come in handy for many small screw applications.

[@thedualexchange]

Great Vid!!

[@정우혁-k8e]

감사합니다 덕분에 수리했네요 ㅎㅎ

[@darraghkane18]

Thank you for posting the video but what a shit design. I am a working press photographer and the speed light is constantly bouncing off me. Hotshoe is always coming loose.

[@richardsvacuumcenter]

You’re right to be frustrated given you trust this tool for your income. Canon needs to find a way to restore trust.

[@darraghkane18]

@@richardsvacuumcenterI am just frustrated given I came from the 5d range before mirrorless and it was an absolutely quick and easy fix.