How to remove filter from lens? (Page 5): This is the problem exactly -- dented filter ring, crushed treads. I have tried everything suggested so far except trying to cut the filter...

jsfphotos Loc: New York, NY

This is the problem exactly -- dented filter ring, crushed treads. I have tried everything suggested so far except trying to cut the filter off. I'm afraid this is what I'll have to do. Thanks to everyone for all the good suggestions, which I'm sure work well if filter is just "stuck." Mine is damaged.

rlynes Loc: Wisconsin

Old film days trick (which I still use), carry a 'Carpenter's Pencil' and lightly rub the threads of the filter, shake or lightly blow the excess dust off, then screw it onto the lens. There would be enough graphite left in the threads to lubricate the connection, making the filter easier to remove.

Use this method all the time when stacking.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I’m sorry, but I’ll never understand the attraction of having minute graphite particles suspended in a base of grease around my lenses and bodies. Sticky particles are not one thing I’m fond of.

Andy

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

rlynes wrote:

Old film days trick (which I still use), carry a 'Carpenter's Pencil' and lightly rub the threads of the filter, shake or lightly blow the excess dust off, then screw it onto the lens. There would be enough graphite left in the threads to lubricate the connection, making the filter easier to remove.

Use this method all the time when stacking.

NOT ME.

Najataagihe

AndyH wrote:

I’m sorry, but I’ll never understand the attraction of having minute graphite particles suspended in a base of grease around my lenses and bodies. Sticky particles are not one thing I’m fond of.

Andy

Not suspended in grease.

Quite dry and stays in the threads due to the compression of same.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Najataagihe wrote:

Not suspended in grease.

Quite dry and stays in the threads due to the compression of same.

The drier the worse. Pencil leads are made of graphite and a waxy, greasy binder. Carpenter's pencils designed to write on rough surfaces have the highest binder content, so I suppose it's better to use that than a drafting pencil. Something has to hold the lead together.

It's probably better to have a waxy emulsion than fine powder. Graphite does NOT stay where it's put, and getting it into my cameras or lenses is not something I want to deal with. Do as you like, but the more powdery the graphite, the less I want it near anything optical. Most camera repair persons avoid using graphite in mechanical cameras except in tiny doses in highly contained pieces for the exact same reason.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pencil

Andy

robertcbyrd Loc: 28754

This is a wrenching issue. Who knew!

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Najataagihe wrote:

Not suspended in grease.

Quite dry and stays in the threads due to the compression of same.

Your playing Russian roulette... Graffite is not something to have around a camera, especially mine. When I use a filter I go not tighten, just screw till it stops. Never had a problem.

avemal Loc: BALTIMORE

Try a rubber glove for a good gripe.

Nicholas DeSciose

This is the best advice. The important thing is to not do anything that squeezes the filter. I want to use the back of a mouse pad.

Patricia Stoker Loc: Atlanta, GA

Bob Mevis wrote:

A rubber band (wide) is a good trick to try.

I just tried the rubber band after trying other devices and it worked great! I am now going to put one in each camera bag 🙂

Patricia Stoker Loc: Atlanta, GA

avemal wrote:

Try a rubber glove for a good gripe.

It works great!

aellman Loc: Boston MA

BobHartung wrote:

There are "filter wrenches" that you can purchase. I also always try (and frequently succeed by pressing the filter against my palm of my hand, with varying amounts of pressure, or a flat not slip surface and then carefully turning the camera and attached lens with the other hand. I think the key is to get a grip on the filter without deforming it in any wy.

If the filter took a good hit it could already be deformed, which presents a more difficult problem than the palm turn is likely to solve.

Najataagihe

frankraney wrote:

Your playing Russian roulette...

Not me!

Quote:

Graffite is not something to have around a camera, especially mine. When I use a filter I go not tighten, just screw till it stops. Never had a problem.

Ditto.

I was just pointing out that once you torque down the filter, nothing moves between the threads.

It is the mounting and removal of the filter that gets goop all over everything.

If you do as I do and only put one filter on the lens and leave it there forever, it is not a problem.

Personally, I do as you do - apply just enough torque to make it stop.

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

This reminds me that while looking at hoses with brass fittings in an A. M. Leonard catalog I saw the warning that if using with a brass faucet remove frequently. Maybe good idea for a lens?