Camera Lens Filter Holder with case - Customizable SCAD

This is a filter film holder with a twist-lock inner ring to sandwich the filter in place and a rail that secures it to the lens hood mounting groove. Protective case included!

No fasteners or adhesives required! This is designed to keep the filter securely in place without compromising ease of installation, removal, or reusability. There should be no damage to the filter other than cutting it to size.

A SCAD file is provided with plenty of customizer options to allow you to configure it for your lens. However, your mileage may vary.

The default SCAD values and provided STL files are specifically designed for the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM lens.

WARNING: Looking at or pointing your camera at the sun can blind you or damage your camera if you aren't careful. Be sure to use ISO 12312-2 certified and undamaged solar filter film. I currently use Seymour Solar Hyperion Solar Film (orange tint) and Baader AstroSolar Visual Solar Filter Film (white light), but there are many others.

Also be aware that this holder as designed will not prevent the filter from being physically pushed out, so handle with care especially while in use. The provided case is recommended to protect it from damage, dust, and smudges while not in use.

Tested print details:

• Printer: Prusa MK4
• Nozzle: 0.4mm
• Layer height: 0.1mm
• Infill: N/A (Doesn't apply with default horizontal shell settings in PrusaSlicer)
• Supports: None
• Material: PLA
• Input Shaper: Enabled
• Print time:
  • Holder: 40m
  • Case: 1h 10m

Successfully used for the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse, where I avoided locking it to the lens in order to quickly remove it for totality.
In fact, the eclipse and my desire to create this model was why I bought a printer in February, as time was running out to keep being indecisive on which printer to buy.

This is my first 3D model for the real world that was designed entirely from scratch using no external resources like the Bahtinov mask generator in my first published model. It served as my introduction to OpenSCAD modeling, which as a software developer I found much easier to learn than FreeCAD.

Change history:

v1.0 [2024-03-29]

• Added a protective case with the same twist-lock mechanism
• Added outer diameter margin to the insert to fix it not sliding smoothly into the cap
• Cleaned up script to be more appropriate for release

v0.9 [2024-03-24]: Initial release

• Added handles to assist with locking the inner ring

v0.8 [2024-03-23]: 4th print, first fully functional

• Chamfers fixed the terrible print quality of the interlock slots and rails even when using supports

v0.5 [2024-03-17]: First print

2024-03-14: Development started