Canon AD-E1 Multi-Function Shoe Adapter Review

In recent Canon EOS R-series camera reviews, I've mentioned: "Note that a Canon AD-E1 Multi-Function Shoe Adapter is recommended to adapt legacy Speedlite accessories to the updated multi-function shoe."

What is a Canon AD-E1 Multi-Function Shoe Adapter?

For over two decades, Canon EOS digital cameras featured a hot shoe that looks like this:

To provide significantly increased communications capabilities that enable new functionality, Canon introduced the Multi-Function Shoe as seen below.

For example, the Canon DM-E1D Stereo Microphone requires no cables or internal power source, and its back button directly accesses the camera's menu.

Here is the AD-E1's Multi-Function Shoe foot, showing the additional communications connections.

While older accessories do not utilize the new capabilities, the Canon AD-E1 Multi-Function Shoe Adapter makes them compatible with the new shoe.

"For a seamless transition from your current hot shoe accessories to the multi-function shoe, the Multi-Function Shoe Adapter AD-E1 is the answer. The Multi-Function Shoe Adapter AD-E1 provides a reliable connection for dust and drip-proof Speedlite accessories that you may already own, such as the Speedlite EL-1, Speedlite 600EX II-RT, Speedlite 600EX-RT, Speedlite 580EX II, ST-E3-RT or OC-E3 flash cord. The shoe adapter will also hold current accessories such as shotgun mics and on-camera LED panels securely to the camera body with dual locking pins on the multi-function shoe side." [Canon]

That said, I've used a Speedlite 600EX-RT flash and a Godox wireless transmitter directly on the Canon EOS R7's Multi-Function Shoe, and they worked fine. I seldom need weather sealing when using flash, so that feature was not highly advantageous to me.

But, my Canon rep then added:

"This also makes sure the accessories are properly aligned and secured to the shoe", and "use of these accessories without the AD-E1 could damage the shoe."

That is a problem I want to avoid. But, I needed more convincing on the risk. What could be damaged? Further explanation indicated that it is possible to bend the Multi-Function Shoe or damage the flash mounting components when locking the flash during installation.

The 1.51 x 1.52 x 1.24" (38.4 x 38.6 x 31.6 mm) (LxWxH) AD-E1 is solidly built, but it weighs only 1.4 oz (40.3 g). You barely know it is included in to the setup, though the flash is raised modestly, about 1.08" (27.4 mm).

The AD-E1 back features a lever lock with a release button. As the lever is moved to the locked position, the AD-E1 lowers to seal the opening between it and the camera.

In this case, the Speedlite 600EX-RT flash's similar lowering-when-locked design completes the weather sealing.

Although the AD-E1's price seems moderately high, it is a high-quality accessory with moving part and electronics. Replacing the camera's Multi-Function Shoe would cost far more.