stuck filter at DVinfo.net

Gale Smith · November 3rd, 2004, 08:58 AM

I have a UV filter stuck on my sony pd150. It must be from putting a telephoto lens on and off. Now I can't get the filter off. Does anyone have any suggestions? I thought about using WD40 and spraying it lightly into the threads and hopefully, that would loosen the filter.

Cosmin Rotaru · November 3rd, 2004, 10:04 AM

don't spray anything in there!

I get filters stuck from time to time also.

Use your palm to push the filter toward the lens and unscrew at the same time. You'll get it off, eventually! :)

Cody Dulock · November 3rd, 2004, 11:48 AM

if you absolutely had to... you could use some channel locks on it... or channel locks with like a fat rubber band around the filter so it has something to grip to... you might be able to get it off with your hands and the rubber band around the filter.

Peter Higginbottom · November 3rd, 2004, 12:40 PM

Sometimes it works if You try tightening it a little further first, then trying to unscrew it.
Instead of spraying it, try using a cotton bud soaked with wd40 & just touch it to the join of filter on the outside & let cappilary action pull it in, using as little wd40 as possible, wipe off as quick as possible, I agree with channel locks pulling in opposite directions.

Good Luck.

Peter

Mike Rehmus · November 3rd, 2004, 03:35 PM

You can buy filter wrenches if you want. I can tell you where or a google search will find them.

Sometimes a rubber band around the outside of the filter will give you enough grip that it will screw right out.

Usually, unless the filter is cross-theaded, the pressure of your fingers distorts the rim and that prevents it from coming loose.

Gints Klimanis · November 3rd, 2004, 07:16 PM

The rubber band trick is good, along with the other fine suggestions. How about finding a guy with a good grip.

Temperature increases expand metal, so increasing the temperature of the filter ring and the mount will result in a larger
gap. Many think that the gap will decrease when both metal
joints expand, but that is not true. The gap will also increase.
So try wrapping a hot water bottle around the edge. Often,
a few warm, cold cycles will help as well.

My grandmother used to open stuck jars by banging the butt of
a knife around the edge of the lid. I still use this technique, although I've found that 2-4 equidistant hits is usually enough to
open anything that my hands can't. I would advise this method on anything more expensive than a jar. Chuckle.

Mike Rehmus · November 3rd, 2004, 08:48 PM

A guy with a good grip is just what is not wanted. The grip will distort the ring and that's most likely the real problem.

Jeff Donald · November 4th, 2004, 07:18 AM

Removing a filter is relatively easy with the right technique. The problem is that gripping the filter around the sides distorts the ring and causes the threads to bind. Instead use a clean shoe with a soft rubber sole. Press the lens with the filer attached against the bottom of the shoe and twist. The filter has equal pressure applied to the front edge of the ring and easily comes off. Make sure to use a clean shoe or inspect for any material that could scratch the glass surface and clean the filter afterwards to remove fingerprints etc. I've been using this method for years to remove filters and have never failed to remove a stuck filter with this method (nor has a filter been damaged.)

Mike Rehmus · November 4th, 2004, 11:54 AM

Memo to self: Add one clean shoe to kit.

Query: Does the brand matter? :-)))))))

Jeff Donald · November 4th, 2004, 01:04 PM

No, but it needs to be a size 10. Actually, I wear shoes and the ones on my feet seem to do the job nicely.

Gints Klimanis · November 4th, 2004, 02:55 PM

Nice trick, Jeff. It seems to make sense to a brute like me.

Andre De Clercq · November 4th, 2004, 03:18 PM

just tape a couple of turns of tissue tape around the filter and you will get enough grip to take it loose.

Thomas Fraser · November 7th, 2004, 06:44 PM

I had a filter stuck on my GL2 for 3 months, could not get it off, so I used the shoe technique, and it worked, Thank you.

Jeff Miller · November 11th, 2004, 04:13 PM

The rubber band took a filter off my GL2 last week. I've noticed on other objects, even when your grip does not seem to be slipping, there's just something about a rubber band that will untwist anything with about half the torque you were applying earlier...

Also if you wrestle with this stuff, hold the filter by the filter and the camera by the lense or whatever sturdy part is nearest the filter. If you hold onto the camera's handle or body you are putting everything under excessive stress.

Pat Chaney · November 11th, 2004, 05:37 PM

Along the lines of the shoe trick ... I once struggled for ages applying brute force to remove a filter with no luck. I then tried turning the filter with a very light grip (just a little more than stroking it) and it unscrewed as if by magic. I've been careful not to overtighten them ever since then.

November 3rd, 2004, 08:58 AM	#1
Gale Smith Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Parkman, WY Posts: 45	stuck filter I have a UV filter stuck on my sony pd150. It must be from putting a telephoto lens on and off. Now I can't get the filter off. Does anyone have any suggestions? I thought about using WD40 and spraying it lightly into the threads and hopefully, that would loosen the filter.

November 3rd, 2004, 10:04 AM	#2
Cosmin Rotaru Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Romania, Timisoara Posts: 453	don't spray anything in there! I get filters stuck from time to time also. Use your palm to push the filter toward the lens and unscrew at the same time. You'll get it off, eventually! :) __________________ Cosmin Rotaru

November 3rd, 2004, 03:35 PM	#5
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	You can buy filter wrenches if you want. I can tell you where or a google search will find them. Sometimes a rubber band around the outside of the filter will give you enough grip that it will screw right out. Usually, unless the filter is cross-theaded, the pressure of your fingers distorts the rim and that prevents it from coming loose. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 3rd, 2004, 08:48 PM	#7
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	A guy with a good grip is just what is not wanted. The grip will distort the ring and that's most likely the real problem. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 4th, 2004, 07:18 AM	#8
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Removing a filter is relatively easy with the right technique. The problem is that gripping the filter around the sides distorts the ring and causes the threads to bind. Instead use a clean shoe with a soft rubber sole. Press the lens with the filer attached against the bottom of the shoe and twist. The filter has equal pressure applied to the front edge of the ring and easily comes off. Make sure to use a clean shoe or inspect for any material that could scratch the glass surface and clean the filter afterwards to remove fingerprints etc. I've been using this method for years to remove filters and have never failed to remove a stuck filter with this method (nor has a filter been damaged.) __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 3rd, 2004, 11:48 AM	#3
Cody Dulock Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: arlington, texas Posts: 420	if you absolutely had to... you could use some channel locks on it... or channel locks with like a fat rubber band around the filter so it has something to grip to... you might be able to get it off with your hands and the rubber band around the filter.

November 3rd, 2004, 12:40 PM	#4
Peter Higginbottom Regular Crew Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wakefield.West Yorkshire. Posts: 45	Sometimes it works if You try tightening it a little further first, then trying to unscrew it. Instead of spraying it, try using a cotton bud soaked with wd40 & just touch it to the join of filter on the outside & let cappilary action pull it in, using as little wd40 as possible, wipe off as quick as possible, I agree with channel locks pulling in opposite directions. Good Luck. Peter

November 3rd, 2004, 07:16 PM	#6
Gints Klimanis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,222	The rubber band trick is good, along with the other fine suggestions. How about finding a guy with a good grip. Temperature increases expand metal, so increasing the temperature of the filter ring and the mount will result in a larger gap. Many think that the gap will decrease when both metal joints expand, but that is not true. The gap will also increase. So try wrapping a hot water bottle around the edge. Often, a few warm, cold cycles will help as well. My grandmother used to open stuck jars by banging the butt of a knife around the edge of the lid. I still use this technique, although I've found that 2-4 equidistant hits is usually enough to open anything that my hands can't. I would advise this method on anything more expensive than a jar. Chuckle.

November 4th, 2004, 11:54 AM	#9
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Memo to self: Add one clean shoe to kit. Query: Does the brand matter? :-))))))) __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 4th, 2004, 01:04 PM	#10
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	No, but it needs to be a size 10. Actually, I wear shoes and the ones on my feet seem to do the job nicely. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 4th, 2004, 02:55 PM	#11
Gints Klimanis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,222	Nice trick, Jeff. It seems to make sense to a brute like me.

November 4th, 2004, 03:18 PM	#12
Andre De Clercq Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 804	just tape a couple of turns of tissue tape around the filter and you will get enough grip to take it loose.

November 7th, 2004, 06:44 PM	#13
Thomas Fraser Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada Posts: 70	Shoe worked I had a filter stuck on my GL2 for 3 months, could not get it off, so I used the shoe technique, and it worked, Thank you. __________________ Thanks for your help everyone.

November 11th, 2004, 04:13 PM	#14
Jeff Miller Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 227	The rubber band took a filter off my GL2 last week. I've noticed on other objects, even when your grip does not seem to be slipping, there's just something about a rubber band that will untwist anything with about half the torque you were applying earlier... Also if you wrestle with this stuff, hold the filter by the filter and the camera by the lense or whatever sturdy part is nearest the filter. If you hold onto the camera's handle or body you are putting everything under excessive stress.

November 11th, 2004, 05:37 PM	#15
Pat Chaney Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 107	Along the lines of the shoe trick ... I once struggled for ages applying brute force to remove a filter with no luck. I then tried turning the filter with a very light grip (just a little more than stroking it) and it unscrewed as if by magic. I've been careful not to overtighten them ever since then.