Frozen Polarizer Filter...Can't get it off: So...I have tried everything I can think of but my Polarizer filter just won't budge. It's is firmly stuck on. I even took it to a local...

jimalexander45 Loc: Napa Valley

So...I have tried everything I can think of but my Polarizer filter just won't budge. It's is firmly stuck on. I even took it to a local camera store. They couldn't do it either. I am new to this Forum but it didn't take long for me to realize that the folks on this Forum are above average in intelligence. So...I am confident that among you there are some that will come to my rescue. And, if you please, if someone can tell me how to keep it from happening again, assuming I get it off in the first place, that would be highly appreciated as well. By this entry I acknowledge that when I joined this Forum, I lowered the average intelligence level of this group.

tsilva Loc: Arizona

put a wide rubber band around the filter, GENTLY turn it off. DO NOT SQUEEZE IT or you will distort the threads

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Did you try one of those silicone pads used for removing recalcitrant jar lids? You probably got some schmutz in the threads that locked the thing up. I have seen filter wrenches in camera stores, like these from Adorama:

https://www.adorama.com/flfwb.html?gclid=CjwKEAjw3drIBRCOwfC-_qqyjQ8SJADvoWQpsxi7u8RIZ6PhKK9wyKZRzUHCuVWrcY4KBk6jOmRZWxoComvw_wcB

Have your tried leaving the lens in direct sunlight for a while, to warm things up? Then see if you can remove the filter.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

They make Lens filter wrenches (link below) just be sure you have two, one to hold the lens and one to hold the filter. Check your filter size as they make them in different sizes.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/807009-REG/Sensei_FW6277_62_77mm_Filter_Wrench_Set.html

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Remember when putting any filter on your lens not to tighten it on there. Loosely screw it on until it stops and do not put ANY more pressure to tighten it. NONE! Even then they can seem like they are stuck on and I sometimes have trouble getting them off. But the best thing to remember when removing them is to lightly grasp the ring with the tips of a couple of fingers and your thumb and unscrew. Very lightly! I find that putting the squeeze on the ring actually makes it more difficult to remove.

As to getting it off, try my method of lightly grasping and turning it. Try it in several different places on the ring. If this doesn't work then brute force with a piece of rubber around it is probably going to be your only option. Try to keep your grasping pressure even around the ring though.

Dickwood33 Loc: Alberta, Canada

I keep two sizes of filter wrench in my camera bag. They have always worked, especially with polarizing filters.

bigtex2000 Loc: Arlington, TX

[quote=rgrenaderphoto]Did you try one of those silicone pads used for removing recalcitrant jar lids?

This right here... use one of these all the time to loosen tightened filters.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

jimalexander45 wrote:

So...I have tried everything I can think of but my... (show quote)

I don't often use a CP, but when I do, here's what I do: loosely attach the filter. When adjusting use two fingers on the lens and the attached part of the CP, adjust in the same direction as removing the filter. By holding it on and adjusting in the direction you would use to remove it, you insure that you will not over tighten it.

hankm1 Loc: Mount Prospect IL

Ok - everyone will laugh at this or scorn me. Happened to me a couple times.
I put the lens in a large zip lock bag and put it in the fridge for a couple of hours.
When i took it out, the filters came off easily. Take the lens off before taking the
lens out of the bag. Let the lens come back to room temperature before
taking it out of the zip lock.

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

I had the same problem. A friend show me how to remove them. But, first you need to not put them on tightly as many here have already mentioned. I now keep filter wrench in my kit... To get your filter off many here have given good advise, no need for me to repeat. Good luck!

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Golly Gee Folks!!!
Hate to interrupt the fun, but Jim if you go to "search" at the top of the page and sip Napa Valley wine and read the 13 times this subject has been covered you can answer the question.... SEARCH "STUCK FILTER"

But, hummm, here is one that may not be in those 13 articles .... go to the auto parts place... get two oil filter pliers in you hands and try that... perhaps putting rubber bands to protect the finish. Lubrication of filter threads with good ol Paraffin is wise. Paraffin has low reactivity and is also not a volatile substance and thus should not be a re-deposition -- vapor-- problem.
--------------------------------------
Season for stuck filters in today's UHH:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-460503-1.html

blackest Loc: Ireland

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Did you try one of those silicone pads used for removing recalcitrant jar lids? You probably got some schmutz in the threads that locked the thing up. I have seen filter wrenches in camera stores, like these from Adorama:

https://www.adorama.com/flfwb.html?gclid=CjwKEAjw3drIBRCOwfC-_qqyjQ8SJADvoWQpsxi7u8RIZ6PhKK9wyKZRzUHCuVWrcY4KBk6jOmRZWxoComvw_wcB

Have your tried leaving the lens in direct sunlight for a while, to warm things up? Then see if you can remove the filter.

If it was any other filter other than a cp filter, it would usually work, but as you have a rotating element as well as the rear element. you will probably end up rotating the front element rather than the filter thread. So saying some fishing line wrapped between the front and rear elements might be enough to lock it enough so that the filter thread is easier to turn than the front element. Sometimes an additional filter screwed in the front can help stop the stuck filter distorting and allow for a little more evenly applied grip.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

jimalexander45 wrote:

So...I have tried everything I can think of but my... (show quote)

Take lens off camera, place in freezer for one hour, this will reduce the size of the thread on the filter, take out of freezer and use a FILTER WRENCH to take off filter.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

jimalexander45 wrote:

So...I have tried everything I can think of but my... (show quote)

There is a string just below this one on filter wrenches.

mikeschwartz Loc: Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago

A trick that you may use to avoid this problem is to lightly run the tip of a lead pencil along the filter thread on the filter and lens before placing the filter on your lens. After you apply the lead, blow off any excess or loose lead with a Giotto blower. The graphite in the lead acts as a solid lubricant.