PhilS

I've seen lots of posts on the forum about how to remove stuck filters. My problem is the opposite.

I've just purchased my 3rd 52mm Nikon circular polarizing filter to use with my camera's kit 18-55mm lens. I love the results I get, but the filter doesn't want to stay on. It seems that while I'm hiking with the filter on (sans lens cap for quick access), the filter becomes unscrewed and falls along a trail somewhere, never to be seen again - at least by my eyes.

I've tried making sure that the filter is screwed on snugly, but not wrenched or cross-threaded because I want to take it off. But somehow in the process of adjusting the polarization and doing manual focusing, it becomes unscrewed.

I've considered using a small drop of thread-lock, but haven't tried that yet as it may be a bit extreme. Does anyone have any stop-loss suggestions?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I'd place a sliver of notebook paper between the threads of the filter and lens.
--Bob

Brokenland

Try the drop in filter adapter.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Electrical tape.

Quixdraw Loc: x

A bit of dental floss - unflavored is fine! ;-)

claytonsummers Loc: Orange County, CA

Better yet, Gaffers tape. It doesn't leave a residue like electrical tape or duct tape.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

If all your other filters stay on, there must be a defect in your new polarizing filter. You might want to send it back for a replacement.

If you can't do that, you might consider only rotating the filter clockwise which woud tend to tighten it.

I don't advise using any adhesives or locking compounds on your lens. If you apply a shim, paper, tape, or floss to the treads you may harm the thread in the filter mount the lens.

Get anoter polarizer.

CO

I do exactly what Mr. Shapiro is saying above. When adjusting the polarization, I always turn in the clockwise direction so it remains tight. Don't put any thread locker on it. Maybe you could put a sliver of Saran wrap between the threads.

petrochemist Loc: UK

I don't see there's any chance of soft material harming the filter threads, but it does strike me as a lot of hassle.
Perhaps this makes sense if the lens you're using is an old one with non standard threads (at least to fix a stepping ring in place) but this shouldn't be needed on a modern kit zoom!

Have a look at lens & filter threads, perhaps one (or both) are severely worn.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I am not a precision machinist or a mechanical engineer but I have been aroud cameras long enough to know that when you mess aroud with threads you're gonna literally "SCREW" something up. When threads don't jibe, don't fit, don't hold stuff together and you start using tape, string, floss, bubblegum, or any kind of adhesive, locking compound, glue, or tape, or force-fit stuff, eventually somethings gonna break, jam, cross-thread, deform or drop off and hit the floor.

OK, if you are out on a shoot or a job and something falls off or malfunctions and you have no other choice, you improvise, "McIver, or Rube Goldberg" somethg and try to get by- you do what you have to do with the gutter tape or the gaffer tape and carry on. If, however, you have an ongoing issue, GET IT FIXED or replace the faulty part.

Come on folks- you have a costly lens and expensive filter and you're gonna stick them together with whatever?

My experience- For a good number of years I partnered in an electronic flash repair business and shared premises with a camera repair technician. I can write a book about high repair bills due to DYI repairs. Also, think about it- those filter threads are real close to the lens if you get a drop of glue, Locktight, certain lubricants, or tape residue on the front element or scratch it with some kinda tool-bad news!

A stitch in time- saves nine!

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

I wonder if you are mounting the filter squarely? It is a very fine thread and easy to cross but it sounds like you are just stopping short of doing any real damage. Lay the filter on the lens and turn it anticlockwise until you just feel it jump a thread, then screw on as normal. For a little extra security I'd use a wide elastic band. Staples had a reasonable line in these that I used before they quit the U.K.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

As above--make sure you ONLY turn the filter clock wise. (righty tighty, lefty loosey) I think you are actually loosening the filter as you use it.

Carl1024 Loc: Kaneohe, HI 96744

What brand of filter are you using?
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bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

First of all, if the filter you are talking about is a UV or clear filter, you are wasting you money. Those filters do nothing to enhance your photographs. For better lens protection and also prevent contrast robbing lens flare, aways keep a lens hood on your lens when it is not caped. The only filter you should need for color digital photography is a CPL (Circular Polarizer).

Now as to the problem of loose filters, try white Teflon tape joint tape, the same tape plumbers use. It is available at any hardware store.

williejoha

A small trick I had used years ago was a rubber band around the filter like a gasket. Worked great. Hope this solves your problem.
WJH