How to Replace the Shoe on a Vivitar Flash
Vivitar makes a series of flashes for the professional and recreational photographer. If you are using any of Vivitar's Pro, SF, HV or DF series flashes, the flash will be affixed to the camera via a shoe. The shoe is the piece of metal on the bottom of the flash that attaches the flash to the camera body. Over time and with continual flash changes, the shoe may become worn. A worn shoe will not hold your flash in place, and it will need to be replaced to get your flash functioning again.
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Instructions
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Note the model number of your Vivitar flash. The model number is located under the Vivitar logo on the front of the flash. It should have a dash and a set of numbers, such as Pro-548 or SF-3000.
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Buy a replacement shoe that matches the model number of your Vivitar flash. Replacement shoes can be found at your local camera store.
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Discharge your flash and remove the batteries. You will be in contact with some wires after you remove the broken shoe, so you want to make sure you don't get an electrical shock.
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Remove the broken shoe from your flash. You'll find two small screws holding the broken shoe in place. Use your jeweller's screwdriver to remove these two screws, then carefully pull away the old shoe. There will be two to three wires attached to the broken shoe, depending on the model of your flash. Remove the wires by gently cutting them as close to the end as possible with the wire cutters.
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Connect the wires to your new shoe with electrical tape. You don't want the wires to short out, so be sure the wires do not touch as you tape them to the new shoe.
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Attach the new shoe to the flash using the screws provided with the shoe. Firmly screw the new shoe in place with your screwdriver. Your flash and its shoe should fit nicely on your camera and work again.
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Tips & Warnings
Electrical tape is a quick way to wire the new shoe. If you want a long-term fix, you will need to have the wires soldered to the shoe.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit camera image by Yury Shirokov from Fotolia.com
