TR> Sunpak and Metz modular flashes have replaceable hotshoes that work exactly TR> that way. I think it's a great idea if the flash is worth the extra cost. It TR> wouldn't make sense for a flash that sells new for $50 but a $400 unit TR> should be repairable.
I have had Metz flash hit quite hard while on the camera (shooting news at demonstrations...). Several times it disconnected quite gracefully with the module staying on the camera, and flash flying around in air. If it was another flash without the changeable modules I am sure it would have either ripped out the hotshoe or broken itself at the foot (I am sure T.V. can attest to FTZ500 breaking a lot at the feet <g>). Fortunately, the Metz survived many of these and other abuses. Until the last time :-( A lot of flashes with the little holding pin (which fits in a hotshoe hole and holds the flash in position, something I wished LX had back in the days I shot reportage with it - the heavy flash always slid a bit off from the hotshoe breaking contact intermittently... then I really wanted to hurl the whole camera against a closest wall!) were fond of breaking the pin, making them not removable from the camera ;-) (and sometimes requiring a lot of work to get them down). Frantisek
