UV Filter Stuck

[JCurtisxx]

I cant twist it off as it seems to be on too fast .. any ideas how to get it off without breaking my lens would be sooooooo appreciated

[TMR Design]

I cant twist it off as it seems to be on too fast .. any ideas how to get it off without breaking my lens would be sooooooo appreciated

Well I know this is not an immediate solution and I don't have any tricks but they make THESE (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=productlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=filter+wrench) for just such occasions.

[Jon]

Press the filter face firmly against a car tire or similar firm surface and twist.

[tjrenegade]

Is it possible its cross threaded?? Hopefully not...

Assuming its not...try warming it a little with a hair dryer....and if you have one of those rubber things they use to get jar lids off may help...good luck

[SkipD]

The key is to NOT squeeze the filter when trying to remove it. That will make it try to deform and will only make the filter's threads get tighter in the lens' threads.

Try using one or another of the following:

1. Rubber bands around the lens and around the filter to give you more grip on the surfaces without squeezing

2. Rubber jar lid "snafflers" - thin rubber disks designed to increase your grip on jar lids

3. Circular plastic/rubber jar lid pliers - similar to the specialized filter wrenches that Robert linked you to. I have seen these in various kitchen gadget stores or store departments.

Again, the whole idea is to be able to apply a turning force without squeezing the filter ring.

[Hermeto]

Put a large rubber band on it and try to unscrew it using only 3 fingers.
Do not squeeze excessively, actually try to apply as little squeeze as possible..

[Hermeto]

Great minds think alike.. :D

[JCurtisxx]

thanks ... apart from putting it against a car tire (my tires are wet from snow) I have tried all the above and it (they) wont move. I have actually two filters on and they seem stuck totally .. think Ineed to take it to the camera shop cos these little buggars are not moving and I am scared I break my lens in teh process of removing them - and there is dust under one which is annoying me :rolleyes:

thanks again :}

[SkipD]

Jill - if you have a cap snaffler (round rubber sheet for taking jar lids off), put it flat on a sturdy counter top (not one you would hate to scratch up) or a board. Then, take the lens with the filter(s) on it and press it nose-down (filter first) onto the snaffler. While pressing it snugly into the counter top (actually the snaffler), rotate the lens counter-clockwise.

The idea is to push the filter into the lens (which could help to take the tension off the threads) while attempting to rotate it. You also keep your hand off the filter with this process, so there will be no squeezing of the filter ring which could make the removal process tougher.

This procedure is very similar to the idea of using the car tire......

[steved110]

It's also a good idea to wash your hands when struggling with stuff like this - espoecially when you get a bit anxious, sweat makes your hands slippery and less effective.

I have had this problem with a CP filter - so can well appreciate the sinking feeling. don't worry, it will come off, if worst comes to worst you'll get it off with a filter wrench.

[JCurtisxx]

Jill - if you have a cap snaffler (round rubber sheet for taking jar lids off), put it flat on a sturdy counter top (not one you would hate to scratch up) or a board. Then, take the lens with the filter(s) on it and press it nose-down (filter first) onto the snaffler. While pressing it snugly into the counter top (actually the snaffler), rotate the lens counter-clockwise.

The idea is to push the filter into the lens (which could help to take the tension off the threads) while attempting to rotate it. You also keep your hand off the filter with this process, so there will be no squeezing of the filter ring which could make the removal process tougher.

This procedure is very similar to the idea of using the car tire......

nope not working, its seems to be on really tight and both of them seemed to be "glued" together .. even if i could get one off but they are not budging . . I need to get a filter wrench .. thanks again :}

[JCurtisxx]

It's also a good idea to wash your hands when struggling with stuff like this - espoecially when you get a bit anxious, sweat makes your hands slippery and less effective.

I have had this problem with a CP filter - so can well appreciate the sinking feeling. don't worry, it will come off, if worst comes to worst you'll get it off with a filter wrench.

not sure if I am right or wrong but I bought the lens and just put these filters on and since then havent tried to remove them .. cos I thought it woudl protect my lens glass .. only tried today as I wanted to clean inbetween where there is a little dust

[nwa2]

Two things I would try.

With lens off camera, tap the filter "Carefully and firmly" on a solid surface in a few positions, then try to remove. If that does not work, DONOT tap harder.

or

Soak a cloth in hot water (hot as you can bare), wring out thoroughly, to hold the filter while screwing off.

Prevention is always better than cure - once you get them off (and they WILL come off) clean the filter threads thoroughly. You should not need to lubricate the threads (especialy if going onto a plastic lens), but you may want to conider a bit of polish (e.g. Mr Sheen) applied lightly with a cloth to the threads.

[Choderboy]

Press the filter face firmly against a car tire or similar firm surface and twist.

Bingo!

Hint: If your tyres are covered in snow , try the "or similar" part.
Or if the spare is dry...

[Tsmith]

Righty tighty lefty Lucy ... ;)

[yvonchap]

I did remove mine with mouse mat, with lense off the camera.

[Elkmed]

Jill,

Which way are you trying to turn the filters. Counter-clockwise, perhaps?

I hope?

Dave

[bonneyda]

Well I know this is not an immediate solution and I don't have any tricks but they make THESE (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=productlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=filter+wrench) for just such occasions.

The General Brand set of (2) work fantastic. I had the same problem (especially with my polarizer) so I always keep one in the bag. Works every time and with ease. Put it on your list for the next time you make a purchase.

[Mark_Cohran]

Most camera repair stores will take care of this for you at a very nominal charge.

Mark

[Glenn NK]

My two filters (UV and polarizer) stuck together last fall when I was outside on a warm day. I was really in trouble - they would not come off.

After I settled myself down, I cooled the entire assembly down indoors. The filters and the lens will shrink when they cool.

Then warm up the end of the lens with your hand - do not touch the filters - keep them cool, and using a snaffler or rubber band (already recommended) remove the filter/s.

When the end of the lens warms up, it expands, and the filters should become loose enough to remove.

The warmer the filter gets relative to the lens, the tighter it will be.

I really hope this helps - I know how annoying it is.


Now, when I mount a filter, I screw it gently up until it stops, then I back it off a wee bit - it won't unscrew by itself and fall off - it's not like the wheel on a car.;)

[JCurtisxx]

wow this is a common problem .. and thanks for all the help .. which sadly are not working cept the Filter Housing Wrench which I need to go buy tomorrow

have to say I am not prepared to tap the lens ..and I know you meant tap instead of really hit .. but at $400 a shot I think I will take it to the shop and see if they can help, or get a Filter Housing Wrench.

Btw yeap anti clockwise I am trying to get it off ..

thanks again ..

[duaflex4]

This is one reason I use only B+W or Heliopan filters, their brass rings won't seize the way aluminum rings do.

[Glenn NK]

This is one reason I use only B+W or Heliopan filters, their brass rings won't seize the way aluminum rings do.

And I managed to get my B + W UV and Polarizer stuck on and together!!:D

By myself without help.;)

[Tsmith]

This is one reason I use only B+W or Heliopan filters, their brass rings won't seize the way aluminum rings do.

But _ they will if over tighten them. I've never had an aluminum filter get seized stuck. Finger tight is all that is requied.

[duaflex4]

But _ they will if over tighten them

Well, of course. But overtighting and seizing are two different things. Perhaps I should had added to my post, "Overtighting filter rings, regardless of metal type, can result in binding". Anti-seiz compound for aluminum threads is sold even at auto stores, I have never seen anti-seize compound for brass, steel, stainless, et. Seizing is a property of aluminum threads.

[pfogle]

here's how I've done it a few times - it always works for me :)

screw your lens shade (hood) into the thread in the front of the filter - not too tight! Then tape it on with some strong tape, like gaffer tape or duct tape. The tape joins the hood to the filter, but must not stick to the lens itself. You put a narrow strip of tape around the filter and the hood where it screws in.

Then it's easy to unscrew the hood and filter together, as you can get a good grip on the hood.