Red Dot Finder Bracket for Camera Hot Shoe

thingiverse

My goal was to mount a Red Dot Finder (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CGH99X5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) on the hotshoe of my camera for use in my astrophotography hobby. I found the "Hotshoe finder mount" model, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3136035, here on thingiverse, but when I used this model there was too much slop in the hotshoe fit, which allowed the finder to move around, making it impossible to align and keep aligned. The top portion of the Hotshoe Finder Mount worked well for holding the finder, so I elected to modify the design to simply address the hotshoe connection. I purchased the following Hot Shoe Mount Adapter Tripod Screw from Amazon for $7: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F19K6SN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I also purchased some M3 screws and locking nuts at Home Depot. I added features to the bottom of the original part, including side flanges to prevent side-to-side wiggle of the bracket. Using the Hot Shoe Mount Adapter Tripod Screw I am able to securely fasten the bracket to the hotshoe. Note, some cameras have a flush hotshoe. If that is the case it may be necessary to modify this design to eliminate, or shorten, the side flanges. Note also that I offset the hotshoe center from the center of the dovetail mount to account for the fact that, when tightened, the screw on one side of the dovetail pushes the Red Dot finder off center slightly. This offset assures that when tightened the Red Dot Finder is center-aligned with the hotshoe (and hence the camera lens). I also designed a small knob to attach to the M3 screw, with the locking nut. This allows the M3 screw to be hand tightened. I simply threaded the M3 into the hole on the dovetail mount using an allen wrench. With this new bracket I am able to snugly attach my Red Dot Finder to my camera hotshoe, align it using the alignment screws on the finder, and then maintain that alignment, even after removing and replacing the bracket from the camera. I have attached a picture that shows the print orientation. Supports are required.