These 3D-printed lens caps feature a magnetic clip to keep them safe while shooting

John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

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Cast your minds back. Way back. Back to September 2021. We featured some 3D-printed lens caps from Pedro at DSLR DIY CNC. Well, Pedro’s back with a new update to those 3D-printed lens caps to add new functionality.

One of the biggest problems that pretty much all of us face with lens caps is that we lose them. That’s why we 3D print replacements in the first place. But Pedro’s just modified his to make losing them much more difficult.

Why more 3D printed lens caps?

Called The Best Lens Caps 2.0, Pedro’s new design incorporates magnets and a new holder. Three magnets are placed in the holder and one in the lens cap to ensure they hold snugly together. To further secure their link, a small pin on the holder locks the two into place. To separate them and put the cap back on your camera, you need to push a lever, allowing it to slide off the holder.

The holder features buckle loops, letting you easily attach it to your camera strap or the straps of a backpack. So, you should never lose your lens caps again. At least, that’s the hope. I’m sure we’ll find a way. After all, we’re photographers. It’s what we do!

A free Fusion 360 tutorial, too!

As well as showing us how to print, assemble and use the new lens cap, Pedro also includes a brief tutorial for Fusion 360 explaining how to modify the caps. These modifications let you add logos for your branding, or to add text, letting you print caps for specific lenses. This can be especially valuable for lens storage that keeps them oriented vertically, only letting you see the top end of them.

He also shows how you can print them using multiple colours, to make that text easily stand out against the black (or whatever colour you choose) of the lens cap’s main body. You don’t even need a multi-filament printer to be able to do it, either!

Where to download it

The files can be downloaded for free from Pedro’s DSLR DIY CNC page on Buy Me A Coffee. And don’t forget to subscribe to Pedro’s channel while you’re at it!

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John Aldred

John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

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