Solar Finder for hot shoe on camera for solar and eclipse photos

thingiverse

You need a "solar finder" when planning to take photos of the sun, especially during an eclipse. Looking through the viewfinder can damage your eyes. A solar finder fits into your camera's hot shoe and works by shining sunlight through a small hole, creating a dot on the angled part. When the sun is centered in the circle, you know your camera is aimed at the sun correctly. Don't forget to use a solar filter in front of your camera lens; this will prevent damage or fire. Experiment with different exposure settings until you capture a great photo. This works for partial eclipses only. During totality, remove the solar filter and hope your camera is already pointed at the sun. Only then can you safely use the viewfinder. I printed my "solar finder" using ABS material with a 0.35mm nozzle, layer thickness set to 0.1mm. After printing, I cut out a piece of white card and glued it onto the angled part. Next, I pushed a pin through the back of the hole and drew a circle on the card at the correct point. Testing outdoors first can help identify any warping issues during printing. If necessary, use a fingernail file or sandpaper to smooth out excess ABS material, especially around the hot shoe slots. Have fun capturing solar photos with your camera!