Canon EOS M5 plastic base plate cracked

I'm so sad in writing this post on the M5.  I have had this camera for a few years and it has travelled with me around the world - North America, UK, Ireland, Wales, 8 countries in Europe, Kenya on safari, etc.  I have babied this camera because it is the ideal travel camera (mt 5DSR and 6D are too big for travel) and has given me great photos.  In preparing for my upcoming trip to the Peoples' Republic of China, I discovered that the plastic bottom base-plate is cracked all around the tripod socket.  There are 4 screws around the tripod socket and it is so badly cracked on the one side that small bits of plastic have fallen out.  Because it is too late to get it fixed, I have put Gorilla glue in the cracks to hold it in place for my trip.  I hope it works.

In thinking of how this could have happened, the only thing I can come up with is the fact that I used the Peak Design belt clip on my Europe and Kenya trips and that the constant bouncing of the camera on my belt must have eventually weakened and broken the base-plate.

My disappointment is that this is right around the metal tripod socket and it is undamaged.  So, what's the point of having a steel tripod socket when it is attached to a plastic base-plate?

Just too much stress on the tripod socket. 2-part epoxy would be the strongest, but I still wouldn’t trust the tripod socket. Recommend the Lowepro Adventura SH 100 II pouch.

Best of luck!

R2

R2D2 wrote:

Just too much stress on the tripod socket. 2-part epoxy would be the strongest, but I still wouldn’t trust the tripod socket. Recommend the Lowepro Adventura SH 100 II pouch.

Best of luck!

R2

+1

I only use the base-plate fixations (Peak Design or Black Rapid) with my DSLR bodies.

Not sure the M-bodies like it in the long run.

....never have any issue with my M3 (Capture Pro) and now M6 (Capture v3). I've found the pro v2 slightly more secure than the v3 because you could tighten the clamp mouth.

I tend to have the Capture on my backpack strap around the chest area; no issue so far trekking in the Alps!

Doug Lauson wrote:

I'm so sad in writing this post on the M5. I have had this camera for a few years and it has travelled with me around the world - North America, UK, Ireland, Wales, 8 countries in Europe, Kenya on safari, etc. I have babied this camera because it is the ideal travel camera (mt 5DSR and 6D are too big for travel) and has given me great photos. In preparing for my upcoming trip to the Peoples' Republic of China, I discovered that the plastic bottom base-plate is cracked all around the tripod socket. There are 4 screws around the tripod socket and it is so badly cracked on the one side that small bits of plastic have fallen out. Because it is too late to get it fixed, I have put Gorilla glue in the cracks to hold it in place for my trip. I hope it works.

In thinking of how this could have happened, the only thing I can come up with is the fact that I used the Peak Design belt clip on my Europe and Kenya trips and that the constant bouncing of the camera on my belt must have eventually weakened and broken the base-plate.

My disappointment is that this is right around the metal tripod socket and it is undamaged. So, what's the point of having a steel tripod socket when it is attached to a plastic base-plate?

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My wife with the EOSM on her hip via the Peak Design ProPad and CapturePRO V2.

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I've been using the Peak Design CapturePRO V2 belt clip with the Peak Design ProPad - on a daily basis since early 2015. On rare occasions I'll mount the camera with the belt clip to the shoulder strap of a backpack harness. But 99% of the time it's on my hip via the ProPad. And it can take a lot of accidental but serious impacts without any damage to the camera or the mounting plate. On one occasion I chipped a hard-wood cabinet when I turned around, gouging a 2 inch long section out of the wood of a table. I've screwed the mount to the base of my EOS M and also the EOS M6 VERY, VERY tight. The strength of the grip has even left a slight impression against the plastic panel on the base. When I say that I screw the mounting plate down right, I really mean it. No movement from the rig no matter how hard you apply pressure. I've knocked the M6 camera VERY hard against a couple of hard surfaces when wearing it this way but there's been no harm done to the base region.
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I may be wrong here, but I would imagine that the M6 and M5 are designed on roughly the same platform. It's interesting that your camera has sustained physical damage. Are you using the normal sized plate because I think they produce a Mini plate that is for small cameras and that one might be a problem. The plate I'm using is smaller than a Manfrotto standard plate but it fits in most Manfrotto tripod mount heads. It's quite large and is just shy by a few mm of being half the width of the entire EOS M6 base.
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When the CapturePRO V2 is on my cameras, the base clip (which has a raised, red "grip" area) overlaps the mounting region of the camera body considerably. The mounting base plate on the camera itself is much smaller than the size of the base plate from Peak Design. This means that if the camera is pulled hard against the clip mount in any direction at all, the same amount of pressure is applied in the opposite direction against the base of the camera.
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The only way I can see damage being done to your M5 is if the CapturePRO base was the wrong size (eg Mini Plate), or if the base plate was loose (or incorrectly threaded on to the tripod mount). If it was loose, then hard pressure against the unit would likely cause exactly this sort of damage. Either that or an accident with a falling tripod etc or travelbag might well have applied enough torque to do the damage.
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The frustrating thing about the CapturePRO plates is that there's a V1, V2 and possibly a new V3 version and they all have differences in physical design. I suspect that the decision to remove the fold-down ring-lock from the latest version shows how miserly Peak Design have become because now you need to carry other tools to secure the mount. The Micro Mount still has the fold-down twist lock. But not the V3. The body of the M6 uses a very strong Polycarbonate material that can be dented more easily than it can be split. Again, the circumstances around your camera's damage is unusual.
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If you feel that the design of the M5 is poor or that there's a flaw in the design, it can be grounds for demanding a repair or a refund from most manufacturers - even if the warranty has expired. All goods must be suitable for the purpose of which they were sold and this means a tripod mount on the base of a camera should not be capable of splitting the base of the camera where the mount is situated. A consideration is that Canon did not design their EOSM cameras to be carried via a mount attached to the base plate.   Nor did they design their cameras to work with any specific other-brand products. At least consider sending either your camera (or at some photographs) to Canon because they'll actually put an alert out to their design and manufacture department heads to ensure that in the event of a problem, it is dealt with for future designs.
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My EOS M1 on the Peak Design system.

I saw some of these last week at my local camera dealer and I'm thinking I'll try to buy at least one more Mount (V2) since the newer ones have a less appealing mechanical design.

Thanks for the super detailed reply.  I have used the Peak Design Capture clip and pad with my DSLRs without a problem.  But, I guess those bodies are all metal and especially the 5DSR which is reinforced.  I use the standard Peak design attachment, not the smaller one.  It doesn't quite fit the M5 because it is slightly too large,and impedes the fold down mirror, but that's not a problem for me.

I've put "layers" of glue to fill the spaces where the plastic bits fell out of the base-plate, so hopefully that will strengthen it a bit more.  I've used clear Gorilla glue which I find works well on plastics (some glues don;t stick to certain plastics) and I've let it dry thoroughly before the next application layer.

The attached photo shows the cracking damage, which is more serious that appears to the naked eye.  Looks like I'm going to have to put more glue in the small hairline cracks too.

I won;t be using the tripod mount at all on my trip - I just want to hold the camera together until I get back and get the base-plate replaced.  I guess it's back to the old camera lugs ... sigh!

Doug Lauson wrote:

Thanks for the super detailed reply. I have used the Peak Design Capture clip and pad with my DSLRs without a problem. But, I guess those bodies are all metal and especially the 5DSR which is reinforced. I use the standard Peak design attachment, not the smaller one. It doesn't quite fit the M5 because it is slightly too large,and impedes the fold down mirror, but that's not a problem for me.

I've put "layers" of glue to fill the spaces where the plastic bits fell out of the base-plate, so hopefully that will strengthen it a bit more. I've used clear Gorilla glue which I find works well on plastics (some glues don;t stick to certain plastics) and I've let it dry thoroughly before the next application layer.

The attached photo shows the cracking damage, which is more serious that appears to the naked eye. Looks like I'm going to have to put more glue in the small hairline cracks too.

I won;t be using the tripod mount at all on my trip - I just want to hold the camera together until I get back and get the base-plate replaced. I guess it's back to the old camera lugs ... sigh!

That's utterly shocking!   What a heartbreaking thing to see.  This is Canon's flagship mirrorless too.   I notice that there's a different design for the plate seat when comparing the M5 and the M6 but your photograph above is frightening.  I'm attaching a picture I just took showing the base of my M6.  The circular shape is only visible when you tilt the camera in the light when looking at it.  There's no worn color so it's presumably a smoother area where the rubbing of the PeakDesign mount has occurred when tightening and loosening the plate.  I suppose it's possible that this is where the interior mount plate sits and that pressure against it may have altered the color of the polycarbonate plastic base.  (I blurred the last few digits from my lens serial number because for security reasons and to deter Chinese counterfeiters from using them as a base number.)
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I inspected the entire base closely under 12x magnification using a jeweler's loupe and there's no hint of cracking (yet!).  Not even micro-cracks.  I've used the Peak Design clip daily on this camera since its release.  The red rubber surface of the Peak Design capture plate does catch slightly on the Flip Screen by a fraction of a millimeter... which means it still allows me to deploy it as needed and does not appear to apply unnecessary pressure on the LCD screen. 
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The same PeakDesign clip was previously on my EOS M (Mk1) although that appears to be an all-metal case on the bottom (from memory).  I'd strongly urge you to send your camera in to Canon.  I feel they might be able to use a spare or second hand case to repair yours at little cost.  Beware of fragments getting onto the sensor surface.  Hopefully that's not an additional issue for you. Please keep us updated on how things work out.  I'm sure the many M5 (and other M-users) will be following your progress with intense curiosity.
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EOS M6 underside.

Marco Nero wrote:That's utterly shocking! What a heartbreaking thing to see. This is Canon's flagship mirrorless too. I notice that there's a different design for the plate seat when comparing the M5 and the M6 but your photograph above is frightening. I'm attaching a picture I just took showing the base of my M6. The circular shape is only visible when you tilt the camera in the light when looking at it. There's no worn color so it's presumably a smoother area where the rubbing of the PeakDesign mount has occurred when tightening and loosening the plate. I suppose it's possible that this is where the interior mount plate sits and that pressure against it may have altered the color of the polycarbonate plastic base. (I blurred the last few digits from my lens serial number because for security reasons and to deter Chinese counterfeiters from using them as a base number.)
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I inspected the entire base closely under 12x magnification using a jeweler's loupe and there's no hint of cracking (yet!). Not even micro-cracks. I've used the Peak Design clip daily on this camera since its release. The red rubber surface of the Peak Design capture plate does catch slightly on the Flip Screen by a fraction of a millimeter... which means it still allows me to deploy it as needed and does not appear to apply unnecessary pressure on the LCD screen.
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The same PeakDesign clip was previously on my EOS M (Mk1) although that appears to be an all-metal case on the bottom (from memory). I'd strongly urge you to send your camera in to Canon. I feel they might be able to use a spare or second hand case to repair yours at little cost. Beware of fragments getting onto the sensor surface. Hopefully that's not an additional issue for you. Please keep us updated on how things work out. I'm sure the many M5 (and other M-users) will be following your progress with intense curiosity.
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EOS M6 underside.

When it comes to repairs, Canon will not reuse a case from a previous camera. They recycle the old casing and put on a new one. Reusing cases may just cause my damage and repairs. So there is no money saved unfortunately.

I was thinking of buying such a peak design thing for my M50+adapter+Sigma 18-35 f/1.8. Reading this thread i think "lets just NOT do that".

The only good thing is that (looking at my M5), I reckon the whole baseplate can be replaced.

Alan

thunder storm wrote:

I was thinking of buying such a peak design thing for my M50+adapter+Sigma 18-35 f/1.8. Reading this thread i think "lets just NOT do that".

The same can happen if you use a different plate or a Black Rapid mount and hang from it. It's not Peak Design but more of the structural integrity and materials of the camera itself.

I agree with all the posts.  It is not a good idea to use any tripod mount carrying strap system with the M5.  The M6 base-plate seems to be much more sturdy with the circular plate around the tripod socket.  I wonder if Canon figured out it was a problem in the M5 and fixed in the M6.

I use the entire Peak Design system and I find it very convenient to use.  Although I spent a small fortune buying their products (which aren't cheap), I am satisfied that it money well spent.  I must admit that I don't like their backpacks but I have the Everyday Sling messenger bags (10L for the full frame stuff and the 5L for the EOS-M stuff), Field pouch when I just want the M5 and 22mm lens plus my iPhone and wallet.  I have the Slide (full frame) and Slide Lite (EOS-M) straps.  The Capture Clip and pro pad is used only for the M5 (although not anymore) because I thought a full frame DSLR hanging from my belt would be just too much weight.

Here's a useful tip for you EOS-M users.  When I want to carry extra lenses in my regular  backpack, I use those neoprene beer can holders to stop them from scratching each other.  The EOS-M lenses fit in perfectly and they slide easily in and out for that quick lens change.  I even had my good wife stitch them together, so I have the 18-150mm on the M5 and the 11-22mm in one pouch and the 55-200mm in the other pouch.  I have two sets, the other holding the 320EX.  When the lenses slide in, they go into all the way, so there are no protrusions to be scratched (Not so with the 320EX, but only a small portion protrudes).

flash and the 18-55mm or the 22mm.  I bought red ones from the Dollar store so that I can see them easily in my back pack.

Canon 32EX flash and 18-55mm

55-20mm and 11-22mm

55-200mm and 11-22mm

iazybandit wrote:

thunder storm wrote:

I was thinking of buying such a peak design thing for my M50+adapter+Sigma 18-35 f/1.8. Reading this thread i think "lets just NOT do that".

The same can happen if you use a different plate or a Black Rapid mount and hang from it. It's not Peak Design but more of the structural integrity and materials of the camera itself.

Conclusion: i am not buying "such a whatever brand thing" :).  If a M5 does not like it, a M50 will likely not like it too.

Roland King wrote:

dammit!! I just did buy a peak design slide lite and after some experimentation decided hanging it off the tripod adapter was the best, now it looks like I'm going to have to re-think that.

I didn't like it attached to the normal strap slots as the whole assembly with the connector buttons tapped and rattled against the camera body whenever I moved which tickled my OCD and it got a bit in the way of the LCD when open (then again the cruddy little Canon strap also does get in the way a bit). The tripod mount option had none of those issues and the strap stayed well out the way.

I find camera straps a necessary evil and would prefer to shoot without them at all but I've had too many near misses to do that.

But if using the tripod mount is just going pull the bottom of the camera off .. I better find another plan.

I've used Peak Design straps and Capture on my M5 and never had a problem. I have a camera plate on my M5 and have it hanging down from a tripod when I'm doing YouTube reviews and never had an issue. I also have a Rode Filmmaker Kit hanging off the hotshoe as well.

I feel you man. Same thing happened to my M5 using my peak design Capture Clip V3. Possible because it was over tightened and it was -25 two weeks ago or the base plate of the M5 can’t be used in all support with the clip here but that’s when I noticed it... I closed the cracks with Saebasto Glue and removed my clip. Let the glue dry and put back my L-Bracket onto my M5. I have a few small cracks but no holes like in your photo...I may send to Canon after my trip to The Philippines, I was a bit worried about the cracks but they are smaller than yours and the glue is pretty much cement and closed it all off nicely....I was quite disappointed as well because all was fine for a while...

Doug Lauson wrote:

I'm so sad in writing this post on the M5. I have had this camera for a few years and it has travelled with me around the world - North America, UK, Ireland, Wales, 8 countries in Europe, Kenya on safari, etc. I have babied this camera because it is the ideal travel camera (mt 5DSR and 6D are too big for travel) and has given me great photos. In preparing for my upcoming trip to the Peoples' Republic of China, I discovered that the plastic bottom base-plate is cracked all around the tripod socket. There are 4 screws around the tripod socket and it is so badly cracked on the one side that small bits of plastic have fallen out. Because it is too late to get it fixed, I have put Gorilla glue in the cracks to hold it in place for my trip. I hope it works.

In thinking of how this could have happened, the only thing I can come up with is the fact that I used the Peak Design belt clip on my Europe and Kenya trips and that the constant bouncing of the camera on my belt must have eventually weakened and broken the base-plate.

My disappointment is that this is right around the metal tripod socket and it is undamaged. So, what's the point of having a steel tripod socket when it is attached to a plastic base-plate?

This is sad. My M5 has taken a beating, including a fall from tripod by the seaside, with sand all over it and seawater soaking it. Yet it continued to work until it was time to sell it.

I used to like tripod plates to which I can attach my camera strap.

Here's a simple question: When a camera is attached to a tripod, its vertical, horizontal and diagonal movements are controlled over a firmly clasped metal cushioned typically by a rubber or plastic surface that is attached to the camera's bottom surface. It's possible that frequent irregular movements put stresses that isn't part of what it's designed for. This is why I went back to the traditional way of putting camera straps even while using Peak Design.