suterjo Loc: Delaplane, VA

If all else fails--go to your local wrench, borrow a large pair of vice grips, and gently unscrew it. Never fails.

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

Try a 16-lb sledgehammer.

Daryl New Loc: Wellington,New Zealand

I had the same problem,got it off by using a very fine /small screwdriver to prise the filter off.I did not want the filter so was not worried about breaking it.it did not break as it turned out.Primitive I know but it worked.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I've always found it is more technique or touch then strength or force. Some times you need to "pinch it" with your fingers. Other times applying strictly torque evenly with little force takes them right off. And yes, there are many types of filter removers or filter wrenches or pliers. Those rubber kitchen rubber jar lid removers may help as well. I'd almost bet yours would not be that hard to get of unless you crossed the threads. Turning a PL or CPL filter should not over tighten the UV that much. And yes, cheap filters are more likely to cause problems.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

Here is an old school trick. stretch a rubber band around it, then use a paper towel over it to get a better grip.
Worst case is get a very long ty-rap, snug it tightly around the filter. The slip joint gives you a handle. You can try this with and with out the rubber band.

BIG ROB Loc: Princeton, NJ 08540

I learned a bit of common sense, regarding the installation of filters, from a You Tube Video, that was put on by a "wise old, know it all, kind of guy." What he said, made allot of sense, to me, and I've been doing it, ever since, on all of my filter installations.

It's to apply a VERY, tiny amount, of a good lubricant, (grease type), onto the threads, of my filter's thread ring, before installing it, onto my lens.

This is something that everyone, should be doing, as a part of their routine, filter installation procedure, and then, they wouldn't ever, have to deal with a frozen filter, removal problem.

If you're going to do this, which is a great idea, and is the proper way to go, it's the ideal installation of your filter, WHAT YOU MUST, keep in mind, is that, the lubricant, is potentially messy, and that, YOU ONLY, NEED TO USE, ALMOST, NONE AT ALL!!! JUST, THREE, TINY SPECKS, that are each, the size, of a grain of sand, and each one is placed, one third of the way, around the filter ring, and then smeared, with a tooth pick, around the threading.

This is all, that you need, to use, to do a good job, and to properly lubricate, the filter's threaded ring! This very tiny amount, will do the job, to place a nice, slick layer of lubricant around the entire filter ring, that will remain on the filter thread surface, that'll also protect it from any corrosion occurring, for many years into the future; and should you later decide to remove that filter, it'll come free easily.

IF YOU USE TOO MUCH LUBRICANT, IT WILL OOZE OUT, AND GET ONTO THE GLASS SURFACE, OF THE FILTER! Only use, an amount, like a grain of sand, in three places, on the filter ring, and then smear it, across the threads, using a toothpick, or, the tip of your finger. Carefully!

Just go slow and careful, so that you don't make a mess and get it on the glass, and you won't have any trouble, doing it. I've done many like this, and they've all come good.

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

Thank you. This is the best advice and makes sense. As they say, "a stitch in time saves nine"!

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

Great suggestion. I remember an old guy, when I wasn't quite so old, who used to to do that with a tiny dab of Chapstick.