3D printers open up whole new vistas of creativity for photographers. Whether or not you’re into cosplay and creating costumes and props in your portraits or seeking to obtain authentic photographs utilizing intricate rigging and mounting setups which might be completely bespoke to your use case, the power to take a spool of plastic fiber and switch it into a posh and sturdy half utilizing an equipment that may match on a benchtop is, in my view, one of the crucial thrilling developments within the at-home maker motion in years.
Personally, I’ve totally embraced the power to unravel issues and experiment with what is feasible utilizing this expertise, and as a frequent consumer of GoPro cameras, whether or not mounted on the strap of my backpack, my helmet whereas using my dust bike, or the highest of one among my FPV drones, I’ve discovered an extremely fertile panorama within the ecosystem of equipment supplied on websites like Printables and Thingiverse. I’ve taken the freedom of cherry-picking a few of my favourite GoPro equipment that you could make proper now, to be sure you can seize and share your reminiscences proper.
Whereas this listing received’t be in any explicit order, and definitely received’t embody a model of each accent you may consider, I hope it serves as a great supply of inspiration for both looking for the proper gizmo in your wants, and even modeling and making it your self. I’m additionally going to be specializing in fashions that don’t require any instruments or components to assemble that you could’t discover at an area ironmongery store. There are some superior designs on the market, like sliders that use Arduino-controlled stepper motors (very, very cool), however these are actually extra of a mission in and of themselves fairly than a general-purpose accent.
With that stated, let’s bounce in.
Circumstances and Safety
Arguably a very powerful class. GoPros are designed to go the place different cameras can’t go, and as such, they encounter risks that different cameras don’t. Contemplating we’re coping with a $300-$400 piece of apparatus, you actually ought to type out some technique of safety. Clearly, you’re most likely going to wish to print these out of a versatile materials like TPU, as it will take in shock and shrug off abrasion the most effective of the generally obtainable supplies.
Don’t let the identify idiot you. This full case, created by Printables consumer @Lau_ris_42473, is a superb possibility for the Hero 9 by way of Hero 12, as they’re precisely the identical so far as exterior dimensions go. It’s designed as a slip-in case that makes use of the lens cowl of the digital camera itself to safe it whereas surrounded by a really thick bumper. It nonetheless presents entry to each the entrance and rear screens, although the battery door is blocked once you insert the digital camera. The value you pay for defense, I suppose.
For those who’re nonetheless rocking the Hero 8, this case by Printables consumer @Carloski_302340 is a superb choose. It’s a full wraparound design, the place the digital camera is inserted from the rear. It does block entry to the entrance display, however that is much less of a difficulty on the older fashions because the data proven there’s not as instantly helpful as on the Hero 9 and up. For those who intend to mount the digital camera utilizing a buckle, you’ll need to both modify the file to go away a gap for the mounting tabs or reduce some small slits to slide them by way of.
For these of us of a extra aquatic disposition, right here’s a neat possibility from consumer @fermit_369703 that mixes influence safety and floatation in a single, once more for the Hero 9 and up. For this one, you’re completely going to wish to check it in a bucket of water prior to make use of to make sure it’s watertight. TPU is thought for its glorious layer adhesion, however a few minutes price of testing is price not dropping your good digital camera.
Common-Objective Mounts
Among the finest issues about GoPro is their standardization of the buckle mounting system, to the purpose that even competing manufacturers like Insta360 now use it. Typically, although, GoPro itself leaves conspicuous holes in its accent lineup. Let’s see what we will discover.
It is a easy wraparound shell from @JWP763_164704 to help you mount your GoPro 9-12 vertically on a regular buckle mount. One thing like that is actually helpful to have as a result of a lot of the GoPro fashions have limitations on their recording decision or body price when recording within the 4:3 or 8:7 modes which might be supposed for extra versatile framing in submit. I’d print this both in PETG for walkaround use, or a stiffer TPU in case you’re meaning to stand up to one thing extra rigorous and will use a bit of additional safety from bumps.
For those who’d like to mix vertical mounting with one of many instances I confirmed earlier, you may as an alternative print one thing like this. @DStehlik_102460 has designed a really sturdy right-angle arm that does precisely what it says on the tin. PETG is advisable, and also you’ll want a heat-set threaded insert or nut to mate with the threads on the GoPro thumbscrew.
That is an superior little print-in-place tripod from @winter0is0coming. All you’ll want is a little bit of glue to hitch the highest half that features the mounting buckle to the underside half that features the legs, and a heat-set threaded insert or nut. PETG is the plain selection, however you possibly can go for one thing actually powerful like PA-CF in case your printer can deal with it.
For those who already personal one thing like a Joby GorillaPod that you just’d like to make use of together with your GoPro, @Spock has created a wonderful 1/4”-20 buckle adapter that you could screw onto any regular tripod. The underside has the threads modeled into the half, however for the highest, you’ll need an M5 nut. Print in PETG, and you recognize what, simply print a bunch of those to have readily available. They’re actually cents every and also you by no means know once you would possibly want one thing like this, particularly contemplating that this precise product sells for a number of {dollars} every (in case your native retailer even shares them in any respect).
Typically, it is advisable to stick a GoPro to one thing that doesn’t fairly match the profile of any of the first-party GoPro clip baseplates, those with the adhesive on the underside. Fortunately, all that adhesive is is 3M VHB tape! Seize a roll, print a versatile, flat-bottomed mount like this one from Thingiverse’s Dave_B, apply the tape to the underside, and instantly you could have a really sturdy mount that may conform to no matter form you need-windshields, boat hulls, you identify it. Rating!
Particular Makes use of
A small assortment of mounts and equipment for particular conditions.
A easy mounting plate from @Josef_16914 that may help you slip a GoPro onto commonplace MOLLE webbing. Initially supposed for army use, this commonplace has grow to be highly regarded for functions that want a versatile, modular storage answer — there’s even some on my picture backpack. Print in one thing powerful because of the small load-bearing surfaces-PETG at minimal, ideally one thing like PC-blend or PA-GF.
Planning on doing a little biking however don’t wish to pony up the $40 for the first-party tube clamp? Right here you go! The creator, @HD_Creator, stories that PLA labored simply high-quality for them, however I’d suggest sticking with PETG, as PLA is thought to degrade over time with publicity to UV mild. You may also add some rubber bits to the within of the clamps for some further grip.
Typically it is advisable to have a bit extra positional flexibility in your digital camera mounting. This big equipment from @6d6178 consists of tons of arms of various lengths and orientations to allow you to put your GoPro precisely the place you need it. What’s extra, the included recordsdata are totally parametric, that means you may simply customise their dimensions to your precise wants in a program like OnShape. This equipment would require some M5 nuts and screws to assemble the additional fasteners, and I’d strongly recommend printing this in as inflexible a cloth as you can-any of the PA composites can be an incredible selection, however PETG-CF or -GF can be a great substitute.
For those who’re planning on doing a little pictures, attempt a GoPro scorching hoe mount like this one from @DR3D_Prints. These are superior for gathering content material, both for social media or simply as a memento of your photographic exploits. I really use one among these myself after I’m working — time sync a number of images to the footage off the GoPro and also you’ve acquired a cool little behind-the-scenes video of your work. PLA has labored high-quality for me right here.
Instruments
Let’s face it-GoPros could be a huge ache to work on. Their compact dimension means elements are fiddly, and in case your arms are big like mine, it may be a nightmare to work in tight areas or with small components. Listed here are a few instruments to assist with that.
By design, the lens covers on the previous few generations of GoPro are actually troublesome to take away. They’re not very deep, which suggests you don’t get a lot buy when attempting to twist them off. Right here’s a wrench from @dave818_12303 designed to make that simpler. PLA would most likely be high-quality for this, simply watch out to not snap it off in case your lens cowl occurs to be actually caught.
Now right here’s a novel idea-glue an enormous knob to a thumbscrew to get it out from underneath the digital camera and make it simpler to tighten. Thanks, Jonathan_K1906!
…or, in case you don’t wish to do this, simply print off this recreation of the official GoPro “The Device”, that doesn’t must be caught to the screw, and also will work on the shorter ones as a bonus.
Go Get Your Personal!
The 3D printing group is nice to be part of. If we see an issue, chances are high somebody has already created a repair for it and we will go get it at no cost, and even iterate and enhance on it ourselves. There are actually hundreds of various designs for all method of equipment, not just for the usual GoPro however for different cameras just like the DJI Osmo Motion or the Insta360 X collection of 360 cams, that allow completely new makes use of for one thing we already personal. That’s fairly superior, in case you ask me.
