How to repair filter threads on lens: My Canon 24-105 lens took a tumble and the filter threads are deformed in a couple spots, preventing a filter from being attached. Is there a DYI...

dleebrick Loc: Indian Land, South Carolina

My Canon 24-105 lens took a tumble and the filter threads are deformed in a couple spots, preventing a filter from being attached. Is there a DYI tool that can repair the threads or is this best left to a camera shop?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I'd leave that to an experienced camera technician. I've seen this type of repair done and it works quite well. But, the work was done by someone with decades of experience.
--Bob

dleebrick wrote:

My Canon 24-105 lens took a tumble and the filter threads are deformed in a couple spots, preventing a filter from being attached. Is there a DYI tool that can repair the threads or is this best left to a camera shop?

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I agree with "rmalarz," after all, "what could possibly go wrong...."

Just Shoot Me Loc: Ithaca, NY

dleebrick wrote:

My Canon 24-105 lens took a tumble and the filter threads are deformed in a couple spots, preventing a filter from being attached. Is there a DYI tool that can repair the threads or is this best left to a camera shop?

Don't forget to factor the cost of repair vs the cost of a new filter. If the glass has any imperfections I would consider the latter.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Just Shoot Me wrote:

Don't forget to factor the cost of repair vs the cost of a new filter. If the glass has any imperfections I would consider the latter.

I think the OP is saying the threads on the lens, not the filter, were deformed.

dleebrick Loc: Indian Land, South Carolina

DWU2 wrote:

I think the OP is saying the threads on the lens, not the filter, were deformed.

Correct!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Repair shop.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

There are tools on eBay that are quite cheap and work well for most dents in filter threads. Here is one example.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/312602427636?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=kgJRrwKDTSS&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=TaYuEEd3ReG&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

rmalarz wrote:

I'd leave that to an experienced camera technician. I've seen this type of repair done and it works quite well. But, the work was done by someone with decades of experience.
--Bob

. . . .and a technician will be able to predict the odds of success vs. failure.
Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sends

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

dleebrick wrote:

My Canon 24-105 lens took a tumble and the filter threads are deformed in a couple spots, preventing a filter from being attached. Is there a DYI tool that can repair the threads or is this best left to a camera shop?

Call the folks who do it for a living, mid west camera and mid west camera repair, (734) 285-2220

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

The lens itself "took a tumble"...If I was to take a lens that had a mishap, I wouln't be worried about filter threads primarily, bu the super fine internal settings and exacting distances the lenses have to be calibrated to. Replacing or repairing the front filter ring would be the least of my worries

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Just Shoot Me wrote:

Don't forget to factor the cost of repair vs the cost of a new filter. If the glass has any imperfections I would consider the latter.

Right. I can't imagine what would be required to repair those tiny threads on a very small ring. I would buy a new filter. Then I would use a file, blade, pointy-nose pliers, etc., to try straightening the threads myself. I like taking on challenges like that (but not for other people

)

Regardless who does the straightening, I would be afraid that the filter threads would damage the lens threads.

EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace

jerryc41 wrote:

Regardless who does the straightening, I would be afraid that the filter threads would damage the lens threads.

As mentioned earlier, it was the lens threads that were damaged. Try to keep up, Jerry.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

EdJ0307 wrote:

As mentioned earlier, it was the lens threads that were damaged. Try to keep up, Jerry.

I'm trying! I'm trying!

This is what confused me - "the filter threads are deformed."

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I'm sure a repair shop has better tools and experience and to me money well spent. With regular nuts and bolts you use a tap and die to redo threads. Lens threads are tiny. What ever tool you would buy would most likely not be the same quality as a professional repair person would buy.