When your camera's built-in flash isn't enough, you can use your camera's shoe mount to work with a compatible external flash.
Function
A shoe mount is located on top of the camera.
Camera shoe mounts are metal brackets found on the top of most single-lens reflex (SLR) and some point-and-shoot cameras. Their main use is for mounting external flash units, but these mounts can also act as an electronic bridge to several external (slave) strobes for multiple lighting effects. Compatible flash and remote units communicate with the camera through pins located in the camera shoe.
Features
With a compatible flash, your camera can talk through the shoe mount.
With a compatible flash, your camera shoe mount can communicate a wealth of information. Some flash units can zoom with your camera's lens in order to provide the right amount of light coverage. If the flash provides autofocus (AF) illumination, it will offer assistance to help your camera focus in particularly dark situations.
Considerations
According to Digital Photo magazine, more professional and amateur photographers can improve their flash photography by utilizing the camera shoe mount with an external flash.
Variation
The camera shoe mount can also act as a universal adapter. Not limited to SLR and still cameras, the shoe mount can be found on some video cameras as well. With the proper adapter, you can use the camera shoe mount to house both an external light and a microphone.
Warning
Compatibility is the key to making the best of your external components. Choose the accessories that work best with you camera's shoe mount.
Tags: your camera, shoe mount, camera shoe, camera shoe mount, shoe mount