Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

I was sorting out my two shooting bags and noticed that the filter on my 70-200 was not seated correctly. I always make a conscious effort to screw filters in very gently, and I never tighten them down.

Well this was not the case with this one. Closer inspection reviled I had cross threaded the filter. I tried to remove the filter, but no luck. I usually have a rubber band to place around the filter to give me a better grip, It didn't work either. About a month ago, I had purchased a filter wrench and said to myself, "What clever guy I am to have thought ahead. When I went into the compartment with the wrench, I found the wrench in the following condition. Plastic piece of junk.

Now that got my wheels spinning. Do I go for another piece of plastic crud or can I come up with something more durable. The bulb went on and you can see the hose clamp that replaced the plastic wrench gig. And it will be a long time before the Stainless Steel wears out on my new filter wrench. It was also half the price of the plastic filter wrench and my hardware store is one-third the distance to drive to than my camera store.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

I have used that stainless a few times. I would like to add one little tip. when using the any steel tool on the soft surface like a lens. Wrap it at least three times around with electric tape on the filter. This will protect the surface from any scratches or marring should the band slip.

In fact last week, I had an ND filter on my Circular Polarize that wouldn't budge. An soon learned that the ND has a knurling on the top side of the ring, and the CP has a knurling on the boot side. Had to put tape on both, and an ND Filter is pretty thin so I cut tape in half on a plastic cutting board. Worked fine.

Big Stopper Loc: London

Great idea, thanks for the tip.

DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia

This is one of those 'Hey, why didn't I think of that' gizmos--so simple, but so practical. Thanks for the tip. :D :thumbup:

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Bill, that is wise to cover the hose clamp with tape to avoid scratching the filter. For those who own some, I would suggest gaffers tape (NOT DUCT TAPE; there is a big difference). If you can fit or otherwise mark the circumfrence of your filter on the clamp, unscrew the clamp until you can lay it flat and use a single length of tape to line the clamp. It will hurt nothing if you extend the tape out past the point of the actual circumfrence of the filter; the threads will grip the tape smoothly. If using duct tape, you'll have a gummy mess to deal with. Trim the tape to width a razor knife; scissors often leave an extra 1/32" of tepe hanging out, making positioning the clamp tricky. If you have more than one size filter (by several mm), buy and prepare another clamp; if you only have a 55mm and a 58mm filter (for example), one clamp will suffice. On the other hand, a 55mm filter and a 72mm filter should justify two clamps.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Or you could just place your lens face down on the back side of a mouse pad and rotate it with some downward force.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Sounds like a great idea; I might just give that a try sometime! Just remember to rotate it counter-clockwise.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

Does work most of the time. Till you put a CP on there. Then it turns into a Lazy Susan.

Mogul, I've never tried the Gaffers tap on a lens, have tried on pipes and things and found it comes apart to easy. But that was under a wrench of pliers. I've tend use the Black electrical Tape. Stronger then the Gaffers, and not messy as duck tape.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

Thank you guys for the suggestions for the modifications. I have only required extra assistance a couple of times in the 40+ years of shooting, but when it is needed as in this case, it is good to have the tool.

The reason I was wanting to remove the UV filter is because I picked up a set of magnetic filer holders that Jerry had mentioned on this site. I no longer have to remove filters by screwing them on. Just pull off and stick the new one in its place. It is a real time saver when shooting with VND and CP at a waterfall, etc. Saves a ton of time messing around with fine threads...especially when it is cold.

If any of you are interested, they are manufactured by Xume. B&H carries some, but I bought it from the manufacturer. I will be getting another set for a pro photographer buddy of mine.

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

My only problem with the Xume products is that when moving about on a shoot the filter will sometimes fall off the lens. While it guess it might be safer to keep the filter in a pocket until you need it, to me that sort of defeats the purpose of having the filter in the first place.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

They aren't as permanent as the screw-in, but the magnet that holds them has to be pretty hard in order for it to disengage. It saves a tremendous amount of time in situations where you are swapping filters.

Probably the best thing is to use them when situations aren't causing one to hit the camera off of things like events or other crowded times. I would not be swapping filters in those situations anyways. Good point. I only shoot Natural History subjects, so they haven't been an issue, though I could see your point.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Clever idea. With a few modifications, you could make that into a camera accessory. Get rid of all those extra grooves, replace the slotted screw head with a thumb screw, and line the inside with a grippy material. Oh yeah, paint it black.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

Put the clamp thru piece of plastic tubing

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

KUDOS To YOU BOZSIK Innovation innovation and more innovation in photography is the key to many problems solutions. Many of these form in our brains by image and then we translate into reality. I use to design equipment modifications in my sleep... too bad I could not turn that in as time worked.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You don't waste time, do you. :D

I tried to remove a filter with a filter wrench, but I wound up using my hands. Those filter wrenches seem so flimsy, but mine haven't broken - yet. Metal would be better than plastic.