3D printers of camera and darkroom kit

Who here is already using 3D printers to make bit and pieces for their kit?

How useful is what you’ve made and can you share your data for useful lens caps, Minolta 16 film cartridge, film containers, lens cases, like the FSU Jupiter 11 hard case, etc?

I have a Bambu A1 but haven’t used it yet and starting projects are welcomed.

What 3D tools and gear would you make for your kit or, others, with your own 3D printers and what filaments would you suggest and why?

Would you try film mask for the Hasselblad or 4” x 5” holders?

How would you fill the micro fine layer lines?

Are you trying to justify having the printer?

My own photographic/related designs: a couple of Graflok-compatible backs for view cameras, lens board reducing adaptors, and an adaptor to use 4x5 film holders with a 2x3 Galvin.
Some other minor bits.

Other peoples': Morton Kolve's WillTravel cameras, Edgar Kech's 6x12 roll film back.

Just some highlights. If something exists and is reasonably obtainable, and I need it, I would probably go for the original. Otherwise ideas have to compete for my time with other things. And not everything is best done with a 3D printer (of any type). My printer is six years old now, but it should have a few more years yet.

Have been using one for a few years now for various odds & ends, including darkroom stuff. It's convenient to have one around. One thing that worked quite well was a set of negative holders for different formats for my enlarger. But at some point I ran into some proper holders/masks so I've been using those, since. But the printed ones were pretty good as well.

eli griggs said:

starting projects are welcomed

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The lens cap idea sounds a like a good place to start. Look into 3d design/sketching software, pick something you like, then give it a whirl. Set up a workflow that works for you. Personally I use Fusion for the design part and Cura for slicing. I've never printed any 3rd party designs so can't really help you with that.

eli griggs said:

What 3D tools and gear would you make for your kit or, others, with your own 3D printers and what filaments would you suggest and why?

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Most of the time I just use PLA because it's easy to work with. Some of the time I've used PETG but I've honestly never seen a very clear benefit to it.

eli griggs said:

Would you try film mask for the Hasselblad or 4” x 5” holders?

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No. I don't have a Hasselblad.
4x5" holders aren't too expensive or too difficult to find so I don't see the point in printing them. If I had to, I would print the frame and then obtain some sheet material for the dark slide as it doesn't make much sense to try and print that IMO.

eli griggs said:

How would you fill the micro fine layer lines?

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Ensure the printer is set up properly to begin with. Use a fine printing detail so layer height is kept low, which keeps the seams small. Design the part in such a way that any walls that need to be light proof are reasonably thick. Start by printing it with a high infill percentage (up to 100%). Then observe the result. Use whatever measure is feasible to fix any problems; this can vary from tape + tinfoil to paint to redesigning the part or adjusting printing parameters. There's no one-size-fits-all.