Camera tripod sockets generally have not become significantly shallower over time. The standard tripod thread has been around for many decades, although the exact threaded depth on camera bodies is not perfectly identical between models.

Based on the head shown, this is likely a two-piece mounting design: the main knob turns the screw, while the metal ring/wings above it act as a locking ring. The usual method is to thread the screw in only until it engages the camera firmly, then tighten the locking ring against the camera base to secure it.

Another common cause is age-related wear in the tripod head itself. Many tripod platforms use a rubber pad around the screw. Over time that pad can compress or harden, which effectively makes the screw protrude too far and lets it bottom out before the camera is clamped tightly. In that case, adding a thin spacer or replacing/restoring the pad is a reasonable fix.