Follow3D Fully 3D printed follow focus and standard rail system

thingiverse

This was a side project that I'm continuing to work on and refine. I wanted to experiment with a follow focus system using my camera but the cost of them is out of reach, so I decided to see if it's possible to create a fully 3D printed rail system and follow focus combo. Thankfully, it works surprisingly well, especially for lighter cameras. While I'm not sure which cameras will be compatible with this setup, I know my Nikon D5500 works because that's the camera in the picture. The lens ring is designed for my 18-70mm lens, which has an outside diameter of 73mm - if anyone finds that information useful. It's not a finely crafted piece, but it gets the job done. Inside the "gearbox" are two beveled gears that need to be at a 90-degree angle to each other; lubricating them with vaseline will help reduce noise and improve smoothness. *Please note that I'm not liable for any damage to your camera if it falls off or breaks.* Since this system is made entirely of plastic, I wouldn't recommend using an expensive camera on it. A mirrorless camera or lightweight DSLR should work fine, but be sure to test its strength and stability first - poor printer settings could make the entire thing weak and unusable. I'm still learning Fusion 360, so this project is as good as it gets for now. With a busy schedule, I can only devote limited time to side projects like this one, but I'll continue to improve it whenever I can. As an aside: If you want to upgrade the parts with metal versions, it will significantly boost the system's strength - specifically the rods. Additionally, if anyone wants to add their own attachments to the rods, they are spaced 60mm apart, center to center.