Removing damaged filter ring (Page 3): I used a Dremel cutting tool to carefully cut two square notches on opposite sides of the damaged filter ring. Then used a straight edge, such as...

old poet

I used a Dremel cutting tool to carefully cut two square notches on opposite sides of the damaged filter ring. Then used a straight edge, such as the back of a case knife or hacksaw blade to set in the notches. This gave me instant leverage to unscrew the ring. Worked beautifully.

elent

Without the glass, the ring may bind 90 off where you apply pressure to twist off. I use a rubber band around the ring, pinch it and make a circular wrench. Careful using tools and gadgets, you can garf the lens threads with the filter threads. Good luck

MrPhotog

Pistnbroke wrote:

Grab the old filter with a pair of pliers at 90 deg to the ring and apply rotational pressure ..never known it to fail . . .

As long as all the glass is gone and the wire retaining ring is out, at the camera store I worked at, this was the standard way of removing damaged filters without further damaging the threads on the lens. I prefer long nose pliers but this works about as well with a regular pliers, Just a small twist shrinks the filter rings diameter and it falls out without pressure on the lens. The filter mounts are aluminum and bend easily.

Sometimes ‘gunk’ gets on the threads of the filter over time and glues the filter in. Trying to unthread it can be very difficult. When you shrink the filter ring it pulls the filter’s thread straight away from the threads on the lens.

If the only damage is to the filter you should be able to screw a new filter on without problems.

Go easy cleaning the lens. Very fine pieces of glass from the filter can be present. You don’t want these scratching the lens or ending up as splinters in your finger tips. Lens tissue is cheap. Use several pieces.

Bullfrog Bill Loc: CT

MT Shooter wrote:

The ring is likely distorted beyond unscrewing. It... (show quote)

After you have tried all of the easy methods, filter wrench elastic band, (both of which I have in my bag) etc., the cut method will work. I had to do it once.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

MHenny wrote:

My go-to Nikon 70-200 f2.8 suffered minor damage after it was accidentally dropped (my camera bag shoulder strap failed me). The UV filter glass shattered, but fortunately the front element survived w/o damage. As a result, I’ve attempted to remove the glass less filter ring from the lens but have been unsuccessful. I welcome any suggestions on technique or tools that would work on removing the ring.

If you have a mouse pad, turn it over and place on a flat surface. Take your camera, face down and place leading edge of the lens fully on the mouse pad (this is the non slip side). As you apply a little downward pressure slowly turn the camera/lens clockwise.

This technique works for me every time for stuck filters, and MAY work for your damaged filter (depending upon how damaged it is). Good luck!

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...sorry if this has already been suggested but don't have the time to read the thread...if the glass is no longer in the filter ring just use some large channel lock pliers, grip the ring on each side, squeeze it in and remove. Done it...works great...no saws, no muss no fuss.

JeffinMass Loc: MA

First I would put a cloth or soft material over the front glass. Then I would take a metal cutting pliers and cut it once. Then you should be able to pull it out. If not cut it the second time across the first cut.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

I have easily removed stuck filters that are toast anyway with a large "channellock-type" pliers. Nothing will grab the filter ring tighter than that. You can even crush the filter ring if you want to forcefully remove it.

no12mo

Guzser02 wrote:

Why don't you give one of these a try?:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016W7RE6C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

MT Shooter wrote:

The ring is likely distorted beyond unscrewing. It... (show quote)

I haven't had to do this, but this is the direction my thinking was going.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

MHenny wrote:

My go-to Nikon 70-200 f2.8 suffered minor damage after it was accidentally dropped (my camera bag shoulder strap failed me). The UV filter glass shattered, but fortunately the front element survived w/o damage. As a result, I’ve attempted to remove the glass less filter ring from the lens but have been unsuccessful. I welcome any suggestions on technique or tools that would work on removing the ring.

Instead of taking MT Shooters advice why not just use a hammer and chisel ?
His method gives you more control that all of the other suggestions FOR a warped or bent filter.
I have use this method a few times over the years in many different instances, worked every time .

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

nadelewitz wrote:

I have easily removed stuck filters that are toast anyway with a large "channellock-type" pliers. Nothing will grab the filter ring tighter than that. You can even crush the filter ring if you want to forcefully remove it.

channellock-type pliers: This would have been my second choice to cutting the ring (see my previous post).

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

revhen wrote:

channellock-type pliers: This would have been my second choice to cutting the ring (see my previous post).

I read your previous post! There is no way in hell MOST people could control a pair of channel locks on such a delicate job.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

Manglesphoto wrote:

I read your previous post! There is no way in hell MOST people could control a pair of channel locks on such a delicate job.

...bull. It is a simple method. You grip and squeeze.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

CHG_CANON wrote:

Have you tried this product? My review from direct experience: waste of time and money. The 2.5 star average rating is about 3 stars too high. Go with the OXO jar opener linked above, what I found after about the 3rd try of trying to solve a similar stuck filter problem.

You're right, Paul, about those wrenches for filters. They're totally useless they don't grip even if the filter isn't bent they don't work. I have a lens with a filter on that was just over tight and those wrenches would not take it off. The jar wrench should work fine I mean think about it, it takes tight lids off of jars and they're made for something just like that. That will be my next move if it ever happens which I hope I don't ever need it again.