Magic shoe diagnostics

Does anyone know about this strange item, as described here:
http://error99.com/en/​magic-shoe/

also available on ebay.

I haven't got a fault with my camera but I am intrigued to know how it works.

Not camera related, some kit I used to sell had methods via the user interface to access the engineers menu. It was not for the casual user!

My concern would be when using such a device is whether it (by its use) makes changes the to camera firmware at an eProm level such that you may get problems that did not exist before???

It is possible that someone has gotten hold of the very tool that Canon use to do their checks and have reverse engineered it to make copies...............b​ut see "my concern" above in regard to how well reverse engineered it is and as such how trustworthy?

Oh, as for how it works...............pe​rhaps like the 'easter eggs' in software ~ the right sequence of key presses reveals the hidden gems to enjoy

Having a background in electronics I understand and agree with your concern. If it is a piece of reverse engineered service equipment then I am surprised that this hasn't appeared before now, after all a lot of the cameras that it works with have been around for some time.

To be honest I can't see that it would be of much use to the average camera user, unless you are capable of repairing the camera what is the point of knowing the fine details of the error code. Ok so it gives you the shutter count but you can usually do that with software.

nevertheless I would still like to know what is actually in the little box

Ramon-uk wrote in post #17053504
nevertheless I would still like to know what is actually in the little box

I can tell you for sure. What I found inside is a small PIC microcontroller and just a few other components. And (if I understand correctly) it implements a small subset of functionality of much more sophisticated service tool. This one is just a "key" to "unlock" special service mode in a regular camera firmware. Not tried to play with other camera keys while this tool was connected (not sure that it will be really safe), but my 40D feels good after I used this little tool on it as instructed.

Don't think that it is very useful for a casual user, but I know at least one guy who use this tool daily. It is a owner of small camera/lens rental shop, and they purchased this unit after few of their EOS 50D was returned with a almost completely worn out shutters from some customers who used it to create time lapse videos. Since then, they put a weekly limit to a number of shutter actuations (generous for a regular photographer but prohibitive for a time-lapser) to a rental agreement that is signed by a customer, and current shutter actuations count is written down once customer receive ordered camera.