Filters stuck

[gmwinder]

Anyone know how to seperate two filters? I just purchased a ND filter and put it on top of my UV...now I can't get them apart.

Gazza

[SkipD]

Anyone know how to seperate two filters? I just purchased a ND filter and put it on top of my UV...now I can't get them apart.
I wonder if I know what you won't do again... :p Stacking filters is not a wise idea, for more than one reason.

Try a couple of jar cap removers (the round rubber discs), or possibly a large rubber band, around each filter and with one hand working each filter just unscrew them from each other.

[photobitz]

I've seen filter wrenches on Ebay... if worst comes to worst... maybe a sparing amount of WD40 - not sure what that will do to your filter coatings though.

[DavidW]

The trick can be not to grip too tightly; if you do, you'll (temporarily) distort the filter mount, making it all but impossible to unscrew.

Anything that can get you an 'all round' grip is a good idea - which is what the filter wrenches do.



David

[Dante King]

put on another, yes another filter. does not have to be tight and this should enable it to be taken off. This process actually causes the needed flex in the stuck filter and bingo, it comes off.

[photobitz]

put on another, yes another filter. does not have to be tight and this should enable it to be taken off. This process actually causes the needed flex in the stuck filter and bingo, it comes off.

I guess it also gives you a bit more gripping space too. So what happens if that filter gets stuck?

[jrsforums]

I guess it also gives you a bit more gripping space too. So what happens if that filter gets stuck?

Dante is correct with using another filter....he also said to not tighten it so it doesn't get stuck.

The idea is to use the second filter to keep the first from deforming. The reason they are hard to remove is when you grip them you twist/deform the filter and it gets tight in the threads.

That is why filter wrenches work. Or pressing the front of the filter onto a rubber jar opener and twisting flush with no side grip. Or other similar methods.

[whiteflyer]

The trick can be not to grip too tightly; if you do, you'll (temporarily) distort the filter mount, making it all but impossible to unscrew.

Anything that can get you an 'all round' grip is a good idea - which is what the filter wrenches do.

David

That is so true, I spent 20 min trying to get a good grip on a filter my father had put on his camera. Then a very light grip and off is came.

[rklepper]

I have a couple of filter wrenches that I bought from B&H for about $4. Never had to use them, but I sleep better knowing that they are there if I ever do this.

[Mike V]

Wrap a lead around the filter (like an audio lead or power lead) and pinch the ends together so that it holds the filter tight and use it for extra leverage.

I'm not describing this well, I can't really find the words to describe how to do this.


Alternatively use a jar opener called a "Strong Boy" made by Zyliss.
The Strong Boy is amazing for stuff like this. A great thing to have in your tool kit.
They are popular in the film industry for removing stuck things that are delicate like camera viewfinders or lens mount adaptors.

[rhys]

Last time I had that problem I put the front of the first filter against the sole of my shoe and turned the rear filter, applying even pressure. Worked a treat.

[photobitz]

Last time I had that problem I put the front of the first filter against the sole of my shoe and turned the rear filter, applying even pressure. Worked a treat.

Hopefully it was clean :confused:

[rhys]

Hopefully it was clean :confused:

Better grip from a clean shoe :D

Actually, if one does this with a dirty shoe and then takes model pictures - they don't half come out dirty! lol.

[photobitz]

Dirty pictures of models hey? lol