stripped tripod threads on my 5D!!!! help!!!

shortpballer · Sep 21, 2009

I just picked up a 5d for an amazing price. However the threads on the bottom where you connect a tripod are stripped. How much would it cost to fix this? Can I do it myself? What needs to be changed etc. I wouldn't care but I want to put a grip on it. Please help!!!

Eric

Gersen · Sep 22, 2009

A pain to be sure.

Have you thought about using a heli-coil or other thread insert repair? Get them from your local hardware place or order some online.

The thread is a 1/4-20 for a 5D

PhotoXopher · Sep 22, 2009

Depending on how bad they are you could try a tap as well and re-thread it.

Available at pretty much any hardware store.

shortpballer · Sep 22, 2009

I don't know if I feel comfortable drilling into my camera. Isn't there a way to buy a replacement part? Like replace the bottom part? It is actually the outer 2 or 3 threads that are bad, so I can put a tripod on but it only gets about 2 or 3 turns. So I don't know if this is safe or not...

PhotoXopher · Sep 22, 2009

Read my post, no drilling and it should fix those first few threads.

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00952068000P?vName=Tools & Equipment&cName=Hand Tools&keyword=tap 1/4 20&mv=s2f

shortpballer · Sep 22, 2009

N0YZE said:
Read my post, no drilling and it should fix those first few threads.

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00952068000P?vName=Tools & Equipment&cName=Hand Tools&keyword=tap 1/4 20&mv=s2f

NOYZE- that is just a link to the tool kit to do it. The threads are pretty bad. They are almost filed down to nothing... so my tripod will slip into the threading about half a cm or so then it will start threading to the inner threads. Are you sure this can fix that? They aren't just cross threaded. Its almost as if there are no threads at all.

max3k · Sep 22, 2009

send it to me, i'll send you my XS which has perfect threads for a tripod. i dont use a tripod that often so i'll try and live with it

syphlix · Sep 22, 2009

shrug

why not take it to a camera repair shop and ask them

KmH · Sep 22, 2009

Or a local machine shop. Sounds like a heli-coil or similar may be needed.

jbylake · Sep 22, 2009

KmH said:
Or a local machine shop. Sounds like a heli-coil or similar may be needed.

My thoughts exactly. Hi Tech machine shops deal with much more complicated operations to save threads on incredibly complex items in order to repair/extend their operational life. This would be a very simple fix, if you can find one that will do it. It might get a little expensive. Machinists, expecially very talented one's or tool and die makers labor is expensive. But I'd bet you could get it done for under a hundred. Maybe less if you've got a friend in the machining/engineering field.

J.:mrgreen:

musicaleCA · Sep 22, 2009

Probably under a hundred. I've had my hot shoe replaced for under a hundred CAD (had to have one of the screws drilled out; thank goodness it wasn't the screw that carried the ETTL information).