Since this is the future and we can now 3D print things of all shapes and sizes, we wanted to see what camera equipment we could get printed.
Since we don’t have a 3D printer we headed over to our local FabLab.
There are loads of these all over the world so see if there is one near you.
If you are like us and don’t have a lot of experience in creating 3d models we used a website called Thingverse. On this website you can download 3D models for everything from phone cases, shoelaces, masks, and your favourite movie props.
we wanted to print camera related equipment, so we searched camera equipment on the site and these are the items we got 3D printed.
Mini Tripod
This mini tripod was the first thing we got 3D printed as it is crazy you can print such a thing. It comes in 5 different parts and you need to buy nut and bolts to secure all of the parts together, but they tell you on thingiverse which ones you need.
To attach the tripod to the camera you need to use a standard quarter 20 screw like this one, or if you have a spare quick release plate like we did you can attach your camera using that.
The tripod can hold a DSLR sized camera with a lens and works great if you need to set up your camera for a static shot or even timelapse.
One of the best things about this tripod is that is folds down and does not take up much room in my camera bag.
Sony NP-FW50 Battery Holder
The Sony A7 NP-FW50’s are really small and they don’t come with a case so it’s impossible to know which ones have been used, this is unlike our Canon 600d camera batteries.
But using this 3D printed battery clip you can store 4 of them together.
The way we store them is when the battery connector is facing outwards the battery is charged, then when a battery is flat they go in the other way, so you know how many you have left.
There is nothing out there you can buy that does the same job of storing these Sony batteries in this way, it has to be 3D printed.
Studio Battery Dispenser
This studio battery dispenser is another way to store your batteries. This one stores double AA batteries but on Thingiverse you can also get the 3D models for triple A batteries, 12v batteries and many more.
We have found this to be really handy as it helps not to mix up flat batteries with your charged ones. This is another one of those items I have not seen for sale in a shop.
Battery Case
Just like the Sony A7s battery holders, these double A and Triple A battery holders have come in handy to store charged batteries in my camera bag. They no longer roll all over and I know if the batteries are facing down, they have been used. When you 3D print these you have to buy magnets to secure the lids on, which makes it quick and easy to store the batteries.
SD Cards Holder
This is an SD card holder which allows you to store your SD cards obviously.
This is the only print I would not recommend as you can not see the front of the SD card so you have to search through them until you find the one you need.
There are many different SD card holders you can buy for a few pound, so just get one of those.
The quality of these 3D prints are really good, and I didn’t expect the plastic to be so tough and they are definitely going to last a long time.
We have been using the Sony A7s battery holder for about a year now and it still works great, and it is such an important item in my camera bag as it keeps the batteries for my main camera organised in such an easy way.
Being able to print the items in bright colours comes in really handy.
When you are looking in your camera bag for the battery clip, the bright yellow just stands out making easier to find since most other camera equipment is black.
So go to Thingiverse and see what you can find that suits your camera equipment setup. There are loads of different battery holders, GoPro mounts, follow focus rings and you can even 3D print Lens Caps. I know I will be keeping an eye out for new camera equipment designs.
You can find links to all of the 3D designs below.
Mini Tripod: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1460181
Sony FW50 holder: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1094889
AA Battery Mount: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1720118
AA/AAA Battery Case: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:51376
SD Card Organiser: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:989624
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