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The build is a two-piece 3D-printed lens cap for a Sony A7III that houses an Apple AirTag. Patrick Campanale, writing for How-To Geek (published September 29, 2026), says he printed it in under an hour and calculated the filament cost at $0.51, based on a filament price of $21.99 per kilogram. That figure covers filament for one print and nothing else, as the cost section below explains. The article is the author’s own account, not an independent test, so the fit, the build time, and the cost are his observations.
Why the author wanted a tracker on the camera
Campanale says he left his camera on a bus during a work trip years earlier and never saw it again. His goal was a tracker that stayed with the camera itself, so that a lost bag or strap would not take the locator with it. That is the problem the mount is meant to solve, and it is the only problem the article claims to address.
The design and how it was printed
Campanale did not design the part from scratch. He found an existing design for a two-piece lens cap that holds an AirTag and attaches to the camera, then sliced and printed it. The article does not identify the exact design file, so a reader who wants to reproduce the build will need to locate that file or model a comparable part in CAD. The steps he describes are:
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11- Obtain a two-piece lens cap design that has an AirTag cavity and confirm it is for your camera model.
- Open the file in Bambu Studio and slice it using the default filament profile for Bambu PLA Pure. The author reports supports are included in that print profile.
- Print the part. The author reports the print finished in under one hour.
- Remove the supports. The author reports they came off easily.
- Screw the cap onto the camera. The author reports the first screw-in was somewhat difficult and that the fit felt tight afterward.
The tight fit matters more than it might seem. A cap that is hard to seat the first time may also be harder to remove, which affects both the AirTag’s battery access and the risk of the cap loosening during use. The article does not test either outcome.
#1 Best Overall
- For Sony E Mount : Nitze N81-AB1 camera body cap is designed for Sony E mount cameras such as FX2/ FX30/ FX3/ FX6/ FX9/ ZV-E10/ ZV-E10II/ A6500/ A6600/ A6700/ A9 III/ A7C II/ A7CR/ A7 III/ A7S III/ A7R III/ A7 IV/ / A7R IV/ A7R V/ NEX-6/ NEX-7, etc
- Built-in Storage for AirTag : The E mount body cap features a built-in storage room for AirTag to prevent the lose of camera or for desiccant to prevent your camera from moisture
- Aluminum Alloy Material : The E mount cap is made of anodized aluminum alloy to protect your camera sensor from dust and damage with an attractive look
- Quick Assembly and Disassembly : The engraved locking orientation markings on the E mount body cap allow you to quickly determine the orientation for installation or removal
- Locking In Place : The E mount camera cap clicks into place like a lens does. Turning it while pressing the lens release button, as you do when exchanging a lens
What the $0.51 covers
The $0.51 figure is the author’s calculated filament cost for the reported print. It is not the total cost of building a tracking camera mount, and most of the cost of the project is not in it. The table lists each cost component and whether the article includes it.
| Cost component | Included in the $0.51? | What the article says |
|---|---|---|
| Filament for the reported print | Yes | Calculated by the author at $21.99 per kilogram (Campanale, How-To Geek, September 29, 2026) |
| Apple AirTag | No | Price not stated in the article; the tracker must be bought separately |
| 3D printer | No | Not stated |
| Design file and CAD time | No | Not stated; the exact design file is not identified |
| Failed or test prints | Not stated | The article reports one print and does not mention reprints |
| Total project cost | No | Not stated |
If you compare this build with buying a commercial mount, compare the complete cost: tracker, printer or print service, filament, and your time, not just filament.
Rank #2
- ABS faceplate provides rugged protection for lens
- Flexible polymer sidewalls for easy installation
- Pro version update: hidden storage for AirTag, SD card or CFexpress A card
- Three new adventure-inspired colour variations
- Large size: suitable for lenses with a diameter of 83-90 mm
How an AirTag reports its location
Apple states that an AirTag emits a secure Bluetooth signal. Nearby devices on the Find My network can detect that signal and relay the tracker’s location to iCloud, where the owner sees it in the Find My app. Apple also describes Lost Mode, which can flag an item as lost, and temporary sharing of an item’s location.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThis is network-assisted finding, not continuous GPS tracking. The tracker’s location is only updated when another Find My-enabled device passes close enough to detect it, so a camera left somewhere with few nearby Apple devices may not report for a while. Apple’s material cited here does not promise that a lost camera will be recovered.
Rank #3
- For Canon RF Mount : Nitze N81-CB1 camera body cap is specially designed for Canon RF mount cameras. It is compatible with Canon EOS C70, C80, C400, R5, R5C, R6, R5 Mark II, R6 Makr II, R7, R10, R50, R50 V and other camera with RF mount
- Built-in Storage for AirTag : The RF mount body cap features a built-in storage holder for AirTag to prevent camera loss. It can also hold desiccant packets to effectively protect the camera from moisture damage
- Quick Attachment & Detachment : The engraved locking orientation markings on the camera body cap allow you to quickly determine the orientation for installation or removal
- Locking In Place : The RF mount camera cap clicks into place like a lens does. Turning it while pressing the lens release button, as you do when exchanging a lens
- Aluminum Material : The RF mount cap is made of anodized aluminum alloy to protect your camera sensor from dust and damage with an attractive look
What the mount does not do
- It is not a theft deterrent. A camera mount can make a tracker less obvious, but it does not prevent someone from taking the camera.
- It is not a recovery guarantee. Finding a camera depends on the tracker being nearby a Find My device and on the camera being reported lost.
- It has not been lab-tested. The fit and attachment observations are the author’s own, and nothing in the article shows that the cap resists separation during normal shooting or in a bag.
- It does not replace the AirTag’s own battery and handling guidance. The article does not address how the battery is replaced once the cap is seated.
Apple’s unwanted-tracking protections
Apple states that AirTag and compatible Find My accessories include protections against unwanted tracking. Its support guidance describes notifications when a separated tracker is detected moving with someone over time, sounds the tracker emits in specified circumstances, and ways to find or disable an unknown AirTag.
A mount may hide the tracker from casual view, but it does not make the tracker undetectable. Someone whose phone has these alerts enabled can still be notified that a tracker is moving with them. Apple has said directly that AirTag was designed for personal belongings:
Rank #4
- Nitze N81-AB1 camera body cap is specially designed for Son. E mount cameras such as Son. FX3 / FX30 / FX6 / FX9 / ZV-E1 / ZV-E10 / A5100 / A5000 / A6000 / A6100 / A6300 / A6400 / A6500 / A6600
- For A7C / A7 / A7 II / A7 III / A7 IV / A7R / A7R II / A7R III / A7R IV /A7R V / A7S / A7S II / A7S III / NEX-3 / NEX-3C / NEX-3N / NEX-5 / NEX-5C / NEX-5N /NEX-5R / NEX-6 / NEX-7, etc
- It is made of aluminum alloy for lightweight and stability to protect your camera sensor from dust and damage, with an attractive look
- It features a built-in storage room for AirTag to prevent the loss of the camera or for desiccant to prevent your camera from moisture
- The engraved locking orientation markings on the camera body cap allow you to quickly determine the orientation for installation or removal
Apple’s February 10, 2022 newsroom statement reads: “AirTag was designed to help people locate their personal belongings, not to track people or another person’s property, and we condemn in the strongest possible terms any malicious use of our products.”
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Use the mount only for your own equipment. Hiding a tracker in property that belongs to someone else is outside what Apple intends and may trigger the alerts described above.
Best Value
- ABS Front Plate provides rugged lens protection
- Flexible Polymer sidewalls for easy installation
- Pro Version Update: Hidden storage for an AirTag, SD card, or CFexpress A card
- Three new adventure-inspired colorways
- Size Medium: Fits lenses with a diameter of 70-80mm
Other mounting approaches the article mentions
The article names several other camera-specific mounting ideas. These are examples the author mentions, not verified current products, and none has been checked for fit.
Battery-compartment mount for the Nikon Z30
The article mentions a mount that sits in the camera’s battery compartment. Check that the mount does not interfere with battery door closure or battery removal.
Battery-compartment mount for the Sony a6700 cage
The article also names a Sony a6700 cage option that uses the battery compartment. Cages change how the body fits into a bag, so verify clearance with your own cage before printing.
Small box on the 1/4-20 screw
A third idea is a small box attached to a camera’s 1/4-20 tripod screw. The article does not describe its attachment security, and a tripod-mounted box may be more exposed than a lens-mounted one.
Before you print your own version
- Confirm the design is for your exact camera model. The featured design targets the Sony A7III.
- Check the design file’s license and where you obtained it. The article does not state a license.
- Test the fit before relying on it. The author found the fit tight.
- Confirm you can reach the AirTag battery without damaging the mount.
- Budget for the AirTag and the printer separately, since neither is in the $0.51 figure.
- Keep the tracker on your own equipment only, and understand that Apple’s alerts can still notify others who carry an iPhone or Android device nearby.
The lens cap works as a locator aid for your own camera. It is not a security device, and it is not proven to survive rough handling.
Quick Recap
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