Got a new rotating polarizer and wanted to give it a quick try, so put it on my 24-84 zoom, which already had a UV filter. When rotating the polarizer it would start to unscrew, so I had to tighten it several times to keep it from fallling off the lens. Now I can't get the polarizer off of the UV filter! I've tried everything I could think of, so I hope you guys have some really sharp advice. I don't have a filter wrench but I do have a bottle cap opener that works great, up to now. The two filters are so small that I can't get a good grip on either. Help!
Help! Can't get filter off!
- Thread starter Jim_Y
- Start date
Ruidoso Bill
Senior Member
You should get some filter wrenches, I picked up some at BH
Last edited:
Scott Murray
Senior Member
Have you tried gripping it with non slip cloth etc?
Yes, wrap a thick rubber band around the circumference of the filter. That will give you a grippy surface to grasp. I carry a few rubber bands in my camera case just for that reason.
sonicbuffalo_RIP
Senior Member
I think nice thick rubber bands should do the trick. Good luck!
Last edited by a moderator:
Well, I did the rubber band trick and it did work! It was not easy, though. Took a lot of effort! I have filter wrenches on order so I hope this won't happen again. I'm thinking of putting a few rubber bands in the camera bag just in case. As tight as my filters were, I'm not sure a wrench would work unless it had super grip.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
I'm curious how they got screwed on so tightly to begin with? Finger "snug" is all you need because if s--t starts cross-threading, you'd better hope the filter-threads blow out before the lens-threads do...
....
It was definitely finger tight. When I first put the polarizer on, and tried it, it wanted to unscrew when I turned the filter. So, I tightened it several times, and I guess tightened it too much. But it was definitely finger tight. I guess I should remove the UV filter before attaching the poarizer, but I was in a hurry to give it a try. Wonder if it would be advisable to put just a tiny bit of oil on the threads. I sure wouldn't want any oil on my hands or on the lens!
Any oil you'll use will end up on your lens too. I'd not do that if I was you.
Its Just Me
Senior Member
Go by your local boot store and buy a pair of LEATHER boot laces.
You can lightly dip one lace is a cup of water, squeeze it almost dry and pinch it around the outside of the filter rim. It should come right off with a twisting motion.
I had a similar problem with one of my C-PL filters. It kept coming unscrewed when I turned the adjustment collar. I did exactly what the OP did. Resulted in the same problem. Very tight filter not wanting to come off. I did get it off with a lot of finger work, but I had my doubts for awhile. (I have worked with my hands all of my life and my wife says I have a grip like a gorilla.) After getting it off, I found that to prevent it from happening again, I put it one finger tight, but...................to keep it from coming unscrewed when adjusting, I always turn the adjustment collar in the tightening direction (righty tighty, lefty loosie. Ha!) The collar does not over tighten the filter, but also the filter doesn't loosen up.
The ideas of rubber bands and leather shoe laces are good also.
The ideas of rubber bands and leather shoe laces are good also.