How strong is the hotshoe?

[AudioGlenn]

just save yourself the worry and pick your rig up by the body handle. that's a lot of weight to bear for such a small contact point. Is it really THAT much more work to do that? or pick it up by the lens.

I don't think it's a dumb question to ask but it does sound like you should take care of your gear with a little more thought. Who wants to risk not only breaking the bottom of a $600 flash but also dropping over $3500 worth of gear along with it? not me...

 

[sunnyVan]

For the record, I don't own any lens that is as heavy as the 70-200 2.8. I asked this question only out of curiosity. I have a pretty reliable shoulder strap so I never had to grab the flash. Now that I hear these real stories I wouldn't want to risk my body and lenses (even though I don't own 70-200 2.8.) Thanks for all the comments.

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Folks.
For the dumb question responses, please don't be like that, if we all start asking ourselves is my question going to be classed as dumb we will all loose out!
I have a question that I was already pondering asking in case it was dumb, now I may not ask for fear of ridicule, I probably will ask it because of the philosophy I have when I am dealing with my specialist field.

There is no such thing as a dumb question, just one you don't know the answer to. :

Cheers Graham.

 

[sunnyVan]

I don't feel offended by that particular comment(being called dumb). What I care about is getting my answers and being able to grow. I believe I have learned a great deal ever since I found this forum. My friends begin to notice a drastic change in the quality of my images. There are plenty of humble individuals on CR who are willing to share their knowledge, and these are the people I want to learn from. I'm just an honest amateur who is trying to get the most out of my gear. I don't need to pretend to be a know-it-all right now.

 

[Halfrack]

Grab a kit by a flash and your flash will be destroyed...

Depends on the kit. I grab and carry by the 600EX-RT...when I have one of my flashes mounted on the EOS M + 22mm f/2.

I think the 600EX also qualifies as the heavier or more expensive component. Glad to see I'm not the only one who does this with the M+22 combo. I mean really - what else is there to hold it by.