Nikon APS-C Clip-In for 36mm Astrophotography Filters

thingiverse

**Nikon APS-C Clip-In Adapter for 36mm Astro Filters** The only company so far providing clip-in filters for Nikon APS-C cameras is STC. These filters tend to vignet, they're expensive, and require bending the metal to install them. For these reasons, I designed a clip-in adaper for a 36mm UV-IR cut filter to use with my D5300 after having modded the camera. Should work for other Nikon APS-C cameras too. Warning: check first without filter, see if the shutter has full freedom of movement with the clip-in installed. It should be OK. While blocking the shutter doesn't immediately break it, it might cause damage and it will cause nasty horizontal vignetting in your pictures. Works with Nikkor lenses, and does not vignet my f/2.8 lens. Faster lenses, like a 135mm f/2, might vignet. See the attached flat from an f/2.8 lens for reference. The latest version should fit slightly better in the DSLR, but let me know if there's an issue. You might have to sand and/or clean the print a little bit. **What filters work?** Unmounted 36mm filters. For UV/IR-cut I'm using the SvBony 36mm UV/IR-cut. As for duoband filters, optimal for OSC cameras like DSLRs, the only options I've found are the ALP-T 5mm (possibly the single best duoband, but expensive) and the NB1, a lot lower performance but a bit cheaper. **Why not insert a rectangular UV/IR-cut glass when modding?** To not have to cut glass and have a good UV/IR-cut. To be able to use the DSLR full spectrum modded. I'd like to at least be able to experiment with IR shots for for example the moon. Additionally, now I can use a narrowband filter without having a redundant UV/IR-cut filter in the imaging train. **Print settings** 101.5% (for both PLA and PETG) Supports, 80% roof Print it upright, with the two legs towards the bottom. Ensures even filter placement and correct dimensions. Original FreeCAD file included. The design is a bit messy, iterated on it a lot.