Disappointed with the 7D's hot shoe, I'd been using the external flash on Tuesday, I went to use the pop-up flash this morning to find that it wouldn't pop-up. Checking the camera settings, it still thinks it's got an external flash attached. After some Googling, I've now found that this is a common issue with canon camera's. Depending on the model of camera, there is either a single (as in the case of my old, battered 350D) or a pair of micro switches underneath the sprung metal strips on the hot shoe. When the flash is attached, the metal strips get pushed down, depressing the switch and informing the camera that there is a device attached to the hot shoe.
I've tried the tips off various forums to 'free' the switch using a cocktail stick (or other implement) and I've failed to get them to come back up. Unfortunately, my 7D is out of warranty, so it's either time to take the camera to a repair centre or take a screwdriver to the hot shoe. After a little bit of shopping around, I've had two prices for sending the camera away to get a estimate on the cost of the work required. Jessops have quoted me £25 and two weeks to send the camera away to get an estimate on how much it will cost to repair. Carmarthen Camera Centre have quoted me £15 with around a 3 week wait for the estimate. I'm pretty frustrated with Canon and the fact that this is a known and reoccurring issue, surely they've had enough time to implement a better solution? Maybe a 'flange' on the top of the micro switch to prevent it been pressed to far into the body of the hot shoe?
