Minolta 28-85 lens question: I bought a Minolta Maxxum film body with 3 lenses at an auction for $250.00. I now have a Sony A200 that I use the lenses on, and am happy with them...

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

I bought a Minolta Maxxum film body with 3 lenses at an auction for $250.00. I now have a Sony A200 that I use the lenses on, and am happy with them, except for the 28-85. This lens seems to have a Hoya Circular Polarizer filter on it that I can't get off, AND under that filter is a Kalimar UV filter. Needless to say, these two filters are making the light coming into the lens almost nonexistent. All my other filters screw on the lens and tighten up, then I just unscrew them. These suckers just sit there and spin....endlessly....both ways. I tried separating one from the other, but no go. I have researched this lens online, and all the photos I see do not have any filters on it, so I assume that they weren't "standard" on the lens. Any suggestions about how to get these filters off? FYI, there is no camera shop near to me to take it to to have someone look at it.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

The circular polarizer is designed to spin freely in either direction. There are filter wrenches you can buy but perhaps you could put a rubber band around the inner UV filter to give you a better grip to unscrew it?

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

OK, got the two filters off the lens but they are still firmly stuck together. Now I need to get the two filters separated. Assuming I can separate them, is there any kind of lubricant that I can use, after I use a magnifier and strong light to make sure the threads on the lens have not been stripped, to lubricate the lens and filter rings so I can use other filters on it, and the two filters I have if their threads have not been stripped also?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Best lubricant on the market for filter threads is simply #2 pencil lead (graphite). Simply scratch the pencil over the threads, blow off any excess and screw it on, the graphite will leave a smooth, non-dust attracting dry lube on the assembly and make it easy to remove the newxt time. Never use a liquid lube on filters as it can spead and get inside your lens assembly.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

I knew there was a reason I kept #2 pencils around. :-) Now, do you have any magic for getting the two filters apart?

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

AuntieM wrote:

I knew there was a reason I kept #2 pencils around. :-) Now, do you have any magic for getting the two filters apart?

Strap wrenches are cheap, $5.00, most hardware stores carry them, rubberband on a stick, you'll need two

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

AuntieM wrote:

I knew there was a reason I kept #2 pencils around. :-) Now, do you have any magic for getting the two filters apart?

The Hoya CPL may be the "thin" design based on your description. The "strap" wrenches will only grab the grip and spin the filter, totally worthless. For thin type filters the only real solution is a standard filter wrench. There should be JUST enough surface to the rear of the adjusting ring to grab the filter body with one of these wrenches designed to do just that. A rubber band on the other filter should allow you enough grip to turn it. Then throw the Kalimar away, its not worth keeping, then clean and lube the Hoya. (If its a HMC design as they are very good CPL filters)

http://www.amazon.com/Camera-Filter-67mm-77mm-Filters-Package/dp/B003TOWNT0

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

Actually the Hoya (the stationary ring) is thinner than the Kalimar. Taking a really good look at the filters, I can see where in one place there is less of a gap than in other places, leading me to believe someone didn't mesh them correctly. I will try the wrenches and see what happens....it won't be a bad idea to have them anyway in my arsenal of "stuff". They will probably some in handy for something else in the future, and the price is right.

BOB Loc: Texas

Wabbit wrote:

AuntieM wrote:

I knew there was a reason I kept #2 pencils around. :-) Now, do you have any magic for getting the two filters apart?

Strap wrenches are cheap, $5.00, most hardware stores carry them, rubberband on a stick, you'll need two

Thats too big the band is wider than 3or 4 filters!

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

BOB wrote:

Wabbit wrote:

AuntieM wrote:

I knew there was a reason I kept #2 pencils around. :-) Now, do you have any magic for getting the two filters apart?

Strap wrenches are cheap, $5.00, most hardware stores carry them, rubberband on a stick, you'll need two

Thats too big the band is wider than 3or 4 filters!

I have small ones, use the top of one and the bottom the other.

But from what the op says they may be cross threaded and unusable again even if they can be separated.

BOB Loc: Texas

Wabbit wrote:

quote=BOB quote=Wabbit quote=AuntieM I knew the... (show quote)

Nevada Chuck

MT Shooter wrote:

Best lubricant on the market for filter threads is simply #2 pencil lead (graphite). Simply scratch the pencil over the threads, blow off any excess and screw it on, the graphite will leave a smooth, non-dust attracting dry lube on the assembly and make it easy to remove the newxt time. Never use a liquid lube on filters as it can spead and get inside your lens assembly.

And as an addendum to MT's advice, just don't crank them down so tightly. Just screw these filters onto the lens until they meeet resistence, and then stop turning! There's no reason to tighten these filters down so tightly; there's nothing inherent in the act of tripping the shutter that will cause them to work loose over time, with the possible exception of adjusting the polarizer. In this case, try altering the direction of turning when making adjustments.

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

MT Shooter wrote:

Best lubricant on the market for filter threads is simply #2 pencil lead (graphite). Simply scratch the pencil over the threads, blow off any excess and screw it on, the graphite will leave a smooth, non-dust attracting dry lube on the assembly and make it easy to remove the newxt time. Never use a liquid lube on filters as it can spead and get inside your lens assembly.

Excellent idea BTW, using a pencil lead.

If you can fine a couple of tight fitting flat rubber bands that fir the filters it may help you break filters free without purchasing any tools.

Meredith Images Loc: Stratford, CT

In my camera bag I carry a rubber jar opener - it has come in handy often for a stuck filter. Maybe gripping each filter with one will help! ;-)

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

Nevada Chuck wrote:

quote=MT Shooter Best lubricant on the market for... (show quote)

I am very careful when I put filters on my lenses, and do exactly that....make sure they are seated properly, and then GENTLY screw them in until I encounter a bit of resistance. These filters were already on the lens when I got the Maxxum and 2 other lenses at auction. I have tried to get them off the lens for some time, but after being on this forum, finally had the courage to really try to correct this, so I could finally use the lens. If I can get the filters apart, that would be good, if not, so be it. At least I got them off the lens.