Seperating a filter that's stubborn stuck...

So I recently bought a secondhand 15-85 online, and it arrived with two unusual conditions:

1. The IS doesn't work (oh well)
2. They gave a UV filter that's stuck, and they did not mention about giving a 'free UV filter' (the thing I want to address)

I use these cheap filter removing things. I was in the same predicament as you and was happy to find this solution

https://www.amazon.co.​uk …phy-Filters/dp/B093VK591N

There are several methods that work. A filter wrench or rubber gloves, anything to get a better grip helps twist it off. However, I have found that most times when filters are stuck it's because the filter has cross threaded. An easy way to remedy this is very carefully inspect the joint between filter and lens. If at one spot it seems that the gap is ever so slightly closer than the rest, gently using a knife edge, pry the two until you either hear or feel the filter jump back in the right thread. It's subtle but I have had great success using the technique. This also has the positive side effect of not damaging the threads on the lens.

PSteven wrote in post #19409816
I use these cheap filter removing things. I was in the same predicament as you and was happy to find this solution

https://www.amazon.co.​uk …phy-Filters/dp/B093VK591N

Woah, I would have never thought that thing exists! Thanks for telling me, instantly ordered two online!

gjl711 wrote in post #19409818
There are several methods that work. A filter wrench or rubber gloves, anything to get a better grip helps twist it off. However, I have found that most times when filters are stuck it's because the filter has cross threaded. An easy way to remedy this is very carefully inspect the joint between filter and lens. If at one spot it seems that the gap is ever so slightly closer than the rest, gently using a knife edge, pry the two until you either hear or feel the filter jump back in the right thread. It's subtle but I have had great success using the technique. This also has the positive side effect of not damaging the threads on the lens.

Ooh right, this can be a significant issue. I just checked the threads, looks like everything is as parallel as it can be, but I'll keep that in mind when crossthreading situations happen!

Try all that other stuff first, but if all else fails:

1. Carefully chip the glass out of the filter, watching where the shards go -- down and out is better than down and in.
   
2. Blow/brush away any remnants of glass from the lens.
   
3. With a pair of needle nose pliers, peel the filter ring away from the lens threads.
   
4. Blow/brush away any remnants of glass from the lens.
   

When trying to remove by hand, the problem is you are mainly only applying a force at 2 spots and you are also compressing the ring, ie trying to force it 'out of round' which works against you. Those cheap filter removal wrenches will apply a fairly consistent force around the entire ring which really helps.
Another way of doing this is to use a flat rubber surface placed on a flat surface. Push down on the lens and twist. This will achieve the desirable even force over the entire ring.
Force will be applied to the front of the ring instead of the side. Even force on the entire ring means much less force required so you should not have to use much force on the lens.

If only using your hands, you can try to space fingers spread around the ring, which creates a more even spread of force. A rubber band on the filter ring works well for grip too.

Update to the stubborn filter. As I receive my filter wrenches, I found that they weren't grippy enough, even scratched the filter from the outside, so I literally put some double-sided sticky foam around the wrench to add more grip, and...

a clever idea. I'll remember that.

I most often use a heavy rubber band, positioned so that it covers the filter frame but not any of the lens. That usually works.

FrostMonolith wrote in post #19410763
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...it's finally out! I can finally clean the dust in between!

After seperating it, I found some dots that can't be cleaned on the front element of the lens... I guess those are what they call 'fungus spots'?
.

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I wouldn't worry at all about those spots. . I wouldn't worry about the dust, either.

I can't imagine that any of that stuff on the front element would ever have any effect on image quality at all, unless you are shooting directly into a strong light source like the sun. . But even then, with those kind of images you're getting a silhouette, anyway, and aren't worried about finely resolving the detail, so still not a problem.

I used to like my front elements to be clean and free of dust, but soon realized that dust and spots don't make any difference at all, even when I'm pixel peeping, so I don't bother about it now.

.

For anyone considering buying a filter wrench I recommend paying a little more and getting this rubberized, metal based set.

https://www.amazon.com …wrench%2Caps%2C​162&sr=8-6

I have had the cheaper plastic wrenches and broke all of them. The plastic is not tough enough for a wrench. The metal ones have not had any problems and are still going strong.

bpalermini wrote in post #19410926
For anyone considering buying a filter wrench I recommend paying a little more and getting this rubberized, metal based set.

https://www.amazon.com …wrench%2Caps%2C​162&sr=8-6

I have had the cheaper plastic wrenches and broke all of them. The plastic is not tough enough for a wrench. The metal ones have not had any problems and are still going strong.

I was going to mention these. Way better than the plastic ones.

I've never used a filter wrench, ever, for stuck filters. Just flip a rubber soled shoe upside down, press the lens down hard into the sole, and twist. Fastest and easiest way to remove stuck filters. I've even pulled mangled, out-of-round filters off this way. It puts the most even pressure on the ring, while releasing the thread pressure a bit.

Also works great in the field, just remember to remove the mud from the grooves before using the sole.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #19410911
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I wouldn't worry at all about those spots. .

I used to like my front elements to be clean and free of dust, but soon realized that dust and spots don't make any difference at all, even when I'm pixel peeping, so I don't bother about it now.

.

It wasn't a matter of IQ. I just want to clean the previous owner's dirt. I'm not letting any of their mess bother me when I take shots. I'd rather get my dust on it than theirs.

docholliday_sc001 wrote in post #19411065
I've never used a filter wrench, ever, for stuck filters. Just flip a rubber soled shoe upside down, press the lens down hard into the sole, and twist. Fastest and easiest way to remove stuck filters. I've even pulled mangled, out-of-round filters off this way. It puts the most even pressure on the ring, while releasing the thread pressure a bit.

Also works great in the field, just remember to remove the mud from the grooves before using the sole.

How do you get a polarizer off? Those are the ones that get screwed on hastily, twisted around in use, and lock up in the field. More than once I've finished the day with a polarizer just because I couldn't get it off.

drsilver wrote in post #19411093
How do you get a polarizer off? Those are the ones that get screwed on hastily, twisted around in use, and lock up in the field. More than once I've finished the day with a polarizer just because I couldn't get it off.

I rarely have a polarizer stuck. I typically only use Heliopan ones, with brass rings, and they don't stick much unless you leave a UV on the lens. There's no reason for that, as the pola will also remove UV.

I have had a B+W stuck before and it was the same... mash the filter against my shoe held up against a tree and twist the lens. Took a few extra tries, but the pressure will eventually bind the pola ring and the threaded ring will come loose. Use quick, jerky twists.

The other trick for removing a filter, usually for larger filters, 95, 105, 115mm ones, is to take your belt off or a compression strap off your backpack. Wrap it around the filter, tighten the belt (pull counterclockwise around the lens and against the buckle) or twist the webbing and use it like a strap wrench to remove the filter.