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Can't get UV filter off

J

Jimmys

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 4, 2009
21
0
I have a 58mm UV filter on my lens and I can't get it off. It will not unscrew. Is there anything I can do it feels like I am going to break something if I twist any harder.
 
iGary said:
Is it a circular polarizer?
Click to expand...

He said it's a UV filter. So I assume the entire filter doesn't spin.

If you don't care about the filter take a hack saw and saw two small cuts into opposite sides of the filter. Then insert a steel ruler into the cuts and use those to give you more leverage. That's what I did to get off a UV filter that had deformed after a drop. The threads on the lens were, thankfully, unharmed...
 
you need to apply pressure all around the filter (or as much as you can). if it still won't come off, get a filter wrench.
 
Dont use a hammer!!

Use a rubber band. Preferably one that's bigger like a big red one. wrap it around the filter and twist it right off. I've used this method many times.
 
robbieduncan said:
He said it's a UV filter. So I assume the entire filter doesn't spin.

If you don't care about the filter take a hack saw and saw two small cuts into opposite sides of the filter. Then insert a steel ruler into the cuts and use those to give you more leverage. That's what I did to get off a UV filter that had deformed after a drop. The threads on the lens were, thankfully, unharmed...
Click to expand...

I mattscotted. :D

Rubber band or gloves sound like a good idea. Let us know how you make out. :)
 
Try to use really light pressure on the filter. If you squeeze too hard, the ring deforms and you won't get anywhere.
 
Well I tried a rubber band and gloves nothing worked. So I took it to a camera service and repair shop it took them a lot to get if off with there special tool but finally it came off!!! The threads on the lens are ok but the ones on the filter are gone.
 
oblomow said:
or put a broad rubber band around it and squeeze it tightly with your fingers and twist.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what you don't want to do. Squeezing tightly with your fingers deforms the ring slightly (makes pressure points where your fingers are) and makes it harder to remove.

You want to apply even pressure to the entire circumference of the filter to avoid "pinching" any one area and that will reduce the friction. I like to cup the face of the filter in the palm of my hand so the entirety of the filter ring is pressed in my palm, giving even pressure all around. I found this to work pretty well. That said, however, you can only press on the filter front so hard. After a few times having trouble removing the filter I learned not to tighten it down too much either (usually I tighten it down using the palm method as well, just so it's snug).

Ruahrc
 
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Jimmys said:
Well I tried a rubber band and gloves nothing worked. So I took it to a camera service and repair shop it took them a lot to get if off with there special tool but finally it came off!!! The threads on the lens are ok but the ones on the filter are gone.
Click to expand...

For future reference, an "old trick" is to use a rubber-soled shoe, as it can grip the entire front of the filter ring, I suspect most of the rubber jar openers will perform the same way.
 
compuwar said:
For future reference, an "old trick" is to use a rubber-soled shoe, as it can grip the entire front of the filter ring, I suspect most of the rubber jar openers will perform the same way.
Click to expand...

I didn't know rubber jar openers existed. At home it was just called "dad".
 
Ruahrc said:
This is exactly what you don't want to do. Squeezing tightly with your fingers deforms the ring slightly (makes pressure points where your fingers are) and makes it harder to remove.

You want to apply even pressure to the entire circumference of the filter to avoid "pinching" any one area and that will reduce the friction. I like to cup the face of the filter in the palm of my hand so the entirety of the filter ring is pressed in my palm, giving even pressure all around. I found this to work pretty well. That said, however, you can only press on the filter front so hard. After a few times having trouble removing the filter I learned not to tighten it down too much either (usually I tighten it down using the palm method as well, just so it's snug).

Ruahrc
Click to expand...

I can confirm cupping and gently giving even pressure all round does work! Thanks for this :)
 
Ruahrc said:
I like to cup the face of the filter in the palm of my hand so the entirety of the filter ring is pressed in my palm, giving even pressure all around. I found this to work pretty well. Ruahrc
Click to expand...

Yeah. I learned the "palm" trick many years ago. It's never failed me. True, you're looking at cleaning the glass because of the palm. But at least the filter's off.
 
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