3D printing for photographers: custom accessories and fixtures

3D printing for photographers: accessories and fixtures you won’t find in the shops

Sooner or later every photographer runs into an accessory that simply isn’t sold. A lens cap in a non-standard size, a specific flash mount or a handy cable organiser for the studio — all of these can be made with 3D printing. The technology lets you create parts exactly for your needs, without paying extra for branded solutions and without compromising on quality.

In this article we look at specific photography accessories worth printing on a 3D printer and suggest which material to choose for each case.

Mounts for flashes and LED panels

Standard mounts for external flashes often don’t suit particular models or particular shooting conditions. 3D printing lets you make an adapter that fits your flash perfectly and holds it securely on a stand, a bracket or even a hat for reportage work.

The same goes for LED panels: manufacturers often supply them with a minimal set of mounts. Printed holders let you set panels at the angle you need, combine several light sources into one rig or fix them in unusual places.

For studio mounts used indoors, PLA is quite enough — it’s light, rigid and holds its shape well. If the mount will work outdoors or near hot lamps, PETG is the better choice — it withstands higher temperatures and is more impact-resistant. Read more about the difference between these materials in our comparison of PLA, PETG and TPU.

Filter holders and lens caps

Landscape photographers know how awkward it is to change filters in the field while keeping them in pockets or soft pouches. A 3D-printed filter holder solves the problem: a compact case with slots for specific sizes that clips onto a backpack strap or belt.

Another typical problem is lens caps in non-standard sizes. Old Soviet lenses adapted to modern cameras, rare models and lenses after repair are often left without a protective cap. Printing a cap for your exact diameter takes a few hours.

• Lens caps — PLA is enough for everyday use
• Filter holders used on location shoots — we recommend PETG for extra strength and resistance to temperature changes
• Step rings between different filter systems — PETG for accuracy and durability

Tripod adapters and camera stands

Not every tripod head is compatible with every camera. Adapters between quick-release systems (Arca-Swiss, Manfrotto, manufacturers’ own systems) are unreasonably expensive, and the right model can be hard to find. 3D printing lets you make an exact adapter from a drawing or even from a sample.

Camera stands are another useful accessory. A desktop stand for a camera with a lens is handy in the studio: the camera stands steadily and the lens doesn’t strain the mount. For time-lapse shooting you can print a special platform with a precise tilt angle.

Tripod adapters carry significant loads, so the best choice for them is PETG with thicker walls. Stands for desktop use can be printed in PLA.

Cable organisers for the studio

A photo studio means dozens of cables: sync cables, power for continuous lights, a wired remote, tethering cables. Without organisation this turns into chaos that gets in the way of work and creates a risk of tripping during a shoot.

3D printing offers an elegant solution:

• Cable clips that attach to stands and profiles
• Wall holders labelled for specific cables
• Tethering cable guides that fix onto a tripod
• Reels for storing long cables neatly

PLA is the ideal choice for studio organisers: they carry no mechanical load, it prints easily and it has a smooth surface that won’t damage cable sheathing.

Memory card holders

Losing a memory card full of footage is a photographer’s nightmare. A compact SD or CF card holder printed on a 3D printer attaches to a camera strap, fits in a wallet or sits inside a backpack. You can plan slots for a specific number of cards, add a protective lid and even “shot / empty” markings.

PLA is great for this accessory — it’s rigid enough to protect the cards and light enough not to add extra weight to your kit.

On-camera microphone mounts

Videographers and photographers who shoot video often need a secure mount for an external microphone. The standard hot shoe isn’t always convenient, especially when it’s already taken by a flash or a monitor. 3D-printed mounts let you:

• Place the microphone to the side of the camera with a side adapter
• Mount the microphone on a cage in a convenient position
• Use a shock mount to reduce vibration from the camera

For microphone mounts, choose the material based on conditions: PLA for studio work, PETG for location shoots where knocks and temperature changes are possible.

Photo frames and exhibition accessories

3D printing opens up new ways to present photographs. Non-standard frames — round, triangular, with an asymmetric profile — make work more distinctive. Miniature desktop easel stands for prints, holders for exhibition labels describing the work, mounts for hanging systems — all of these are easy to make for a specific project.

PLA is the best material for interior frames and exhibition pieces. It gives a clean surface and sands and paints well, so the finished item can look truly professional.

Which material to choose: a quick guide

• PLA — for everything used indoors: studio organisers, stands, frames, memory card holders, desktop mounts
• PETG — for accessories that work outdoors or carry loads: tripod adapters, mounts for location shoots, filter holders

Both materials come in different colours, so you can match the shade to your equipment. More about the properties of each material on the 3D printing materials page.

How to order printed photo accessories

The process is simple: you describe exactly what you need or send a ready-made 3D model (many models of photo accessories are available free on Thingiverse and Printables). We’ll choose the best material and print settings and make the part accurate to a tenth of a millimetre.

If there’s no ready-made model, we’ll tell you where to find one (on Printables, Thingiverse or MakerWorld) or who can make it. This is especially relevant for unique mounts for specific equipment.