Broken Filter Stuck on Lens
Aug 10, 2018 10:52:44 #
Bob Locher
Loc: Southwest Oregon
A scratch on a lens: the effect is very minimal. Mainly, scratches lower the contrast of an exposure since they scatter non-collimated, non-focused light. The easy cure to that is black fingernail polish - ask the next Goth chick you see where to get some. With a very fine brush cover the scratch and you are done. The lens will be as good as new in performance, except for a very slight reduction in light transmission because of the reduced lens surface area.
That said, a scratch is guaranteed to cause heartburn. If the lens is at all current, a replacement front element should be available, and obviously improves the resale value, but if you intend to keep the lens, personally I would suggest saving the money needed for such a repair and applying it to something else photographic. The only real damage from a simple scratch is the aesthetics and heartburn, and of course resale value. (And on the other hand, buying a scratched lens can offer a real bargain!)
Cheers
That said, a scratch is guaranteed to cause heartburn. If the lens is at all current, a replacement front element should be available, and obviously improves the resale value, but if you intend to keep the lens, personally I would suggest saving the money needed for such a repair and applying it to something else photographic. The only real damage from a simple scratch is the aesthetics and heartburn, and of course resale value. (And on the other hand, buying a scratched lens can offer a real bargain!)
Cheers
Aug 10, 2018 11:01:15 #
bob100 wrote:
I dropped my D4S camera with a 24-70 mm lens on it with an NC filter. Even though it was in a case, it shattered the filter. The lens appears to be fine. The frame of the filter is frozen on the lens and I cannot budge it. I have tried rubber bands and a rubber pad to remove tops of cans all to no avail. I tried lightly tapping the ND filter. It remains frozen. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am considering sending the lens to Nikon to see if they can help. Thank you.
Happened to me and luckily there is a local camera shop where they got it off for me.
Aug 10, 2018 11:09:48 #
I have used small diagonal cutting pliers to cut off broken filters several times. If the filter is bent, it cannot be easily worked free.
They available at any hardward store.
They available at any hardward store.
Aug 10, 2018 11:23:21 #
bob100 wrote:
No luck yet. Tried the freezer for 6 minutes, tapping softly, rubber matts, .... still no luck. I do not think I am brave enough to use the hack saw method. It remains frozen solid. Will try over the next day or so and then will ship to Nikon. Lens came through the incident fine so I do not want to mess it up. I hate to send it in but so far no luck freeing up with the easy things to try. Anyway, thanks to all for the suggestions.
If you have available a reputable camera shop with repair capabilities they could help you. You can also try placing the lens, filter down, on your jar opener pad and with downward pressure turn the lens. Some one should hold the pad to keep it from turning. This worked for me.
Aug 10, 2018 11:35:25 #
You can get a filter wrench from Adorama or B&H for just a couple of bucks.
Aug 10, 2018 11:41:30 #
Bazbo
Loc: Lisboa, Portugal
bob100 wrote:
No luck yet. Tried the freezer for 6 minutes, tapping softly, rubber matts, .... still no luck. I do not think I am brave enough to use the hack saw method. It remains frozen solid. Will try over the next day or so and then will ship to Nikon. Lens came through the incident fine so I do not want to mess it up. I hate to send it in but so far no luck freeing up with the easy things to try. Anyway, thanks to all for the suggestions.
I had the same problem (weirdly, on the same lens) and took it to my local camera store (Looking Glass Photo in Berkeley CA) and they took into the back and removed it. For free. I don't know how they did it, but this is one of the reasons I do my best to support local camera stores.
Aug 10, 2018 11:50:17 #
You can buy dedicated tools (lens filter removal tool or wrench) for this from Amazon, B&H, Adorama or your local camera store. They’re pretty cheap ($6 - $15 seems common) and in my limited experience work well.
Aug 10, 2018 11:50:39 #
Someone else had the same issue recently and I made a suggestion that worked. I've also had a similar issue and the method worked. You refrigerate for a short time. then try to remove. Good luck
Aug 10, 2018 12:06:13 #
bob100 wrote:
I dropped my D4S camera with a 24-70 mm lens on it with an NC filter. Even though it was in a case, it shattered the filter. The lens appears to be fine. The frame of the filter is frozen on the lens and I cannot budge it. I have tried rubber bands and a rubber pad to remove tops of cans all to no avail. I tried lightly tapping the ND filter. It remains frozen. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am considering sending the lens to Nikon to see if they can help. Thank you.
Removing the damaged filter is often a leverage issue ...
I do NOT know if the following is included in jerryc41's linked suggestions:
IF the filter's frame is "okay" THEN if you have four-to-six additional filters of the same thread size, then screw them into the seized filter ... wrap the good-and-bad filters with either some clear-or-tan packing tape or cloth "duct" tape ... unscrew the BLOCK of combined filters ... remove the tape ... separate the good filters from the bad ...
Done!?!
Good luck with whatever method you choose.
Aug 10, 2018 12:14:16 #
Longshadow wrote:
Don't laugh about the hacksaw.
Another is to carefully remove the filter glass and carefully grab the filter ring with a pair of long nose pliers, gently twisting the pliers, deforming the ring.
Another is to carefully remove the filter glass and carefully grab the filter ring with a pair of long nose pliers, gently twisting the pliers, deforming the ring.
I have done this. But now with plastic filter threads on some lenses be careful you don't crack the front of the lens threads themselves.
Aug 10, 2018 12:21:17 #
Architect1776 wrote:
I have done this. But now with plastic filter threads on some lenses be careful you don't crack the front of the lens threads themselves.
Definitely!
Aug 10, 2018 12:23:31 #
Have you tried using a filter wrench set? I had the same problem with a stuck filter. The wrenched worked without damaging the lens tread.
Aug 10, 2018 13:00:52 #
Aug 10, 2018 13:07:24 #
most likely the threads got pusch in on the inpact. look at the spot on the filter were the impact actually hit the ground. find the mark, out a piece of tape if you can on a a small flat heat screwdriver and push the end of the flat head in between the filter and the lens. once in place, twist the screw driver lightly at first and see if you cannot pop the threads back into place. then try to unscrew it. it may seem hard as the treads ar damaged. twist it off and then put a different filter (cheap but metal) on there to try to retap the original threads on the lens. this will work of done with patience. good luck I dont like using a hack saw as metal dust can get into the sides of the lens where it moves in and out. eventually you will run into trouble.
Aug 10, 2018 13:16:46 #
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