7 Ways On How To Remove Stuck

Lens Filter
June 3, 2017 W.S. Toh

INTRODUCTION
REMOVING A STUCK LENS FILTER

Help, my lens filter is stuck!

Fear not. You are not alone, and this has been a common pain among
photographers since the ancient days. To help you remove a stuck
lens filter, I have compiled a few methods on how to remove stuck
lens filter in this guide.

Some of them I have tried and worked really well… and a few of them
are just plain dumb. Try it at your own risk.

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 NAVIGATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section A Section B Section C

Methods that work Somehow works What!?

SECTION A
METHODS THAT WORK

These are the methods that I have personally tried, tested, and

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 proven to be working… Or at least they worked for me 99 out of 100
times. With these methods, you will probably have a good chance
to un-stuck your filters.

METHOD 1) RUBBER MAT

TOOLS REQUIRED : Rubber mouse pad or anti-slip pad.

This is one of the easiest and most efficient method that I have used.
Be it a filter stuck to a lens, or 2 filters stuck together. All you will
need is a simple rubber mat – a mouse pad, or one of those cheap
anti-slip pad you use in cars.

Press the filter down against the rubber mat, and give it a twist. The
filter should come off pretty easily. But do note that this method will
not work if you have a stuck circular polarizer… the filter will just turn
along as you twist.

Press the stuck filter down against a rubber mat and turn. I have hairy hands.

METHOD 2) FILTER WRENCH

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 TOOLS REQUIRED : Pair of filter wrench.

The next best method that I know of, and it will require a very
affordable filter wrench. Very easy to use too. Just grab the lens with
one wrench, grab the filter with another, then screw them apart (Turn
the wrench holding the filter).

Hold the lens with one wrench, turn the filter with another wrench.

SECTION B
METHODS THAT SOMEHOW WORK

These methods, they work… somehow. Sometimes they work really

well, sometimes nothing much happens except for frustration.
Just donʼt count on these methods too much. Itʼs 50-50.

METHOD 3) USE ANOTHER FILTER

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 TOOLS REQUIRED : A cheap UV filter, or step down ring.

How do you get a stuck filter out without using any tools? Screw
another filter on top of it. The idea is to increase the surface area you
can grab, and thus making it easier to unscrew. But there is a
problem with this method – you might get 2 stuck filters instead.
Which, you can might be able to unstuck with a rubber mat.

If you do not want to risk getting another filter stuck, you can use a
step down ring instead.

Filter stacking… literally.

METHOD 4) RUBBER BAND

TOOLS REQUIRED : Rubber band, or resistance loop band

This method only applies to the circular polarizer or similar

“spinning” filters. It only worked for me after struggling for a few
minutes, but itʼs still worth a try. Simply strap a thick rubber band on
the filter. Grab the part that does not move, and try to unscrew it.

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 The rubber band should give you more grip, more area, and thus
more turning force to release the stuck.

Rubber miracle?

SECTION C
WTF METHODS

When all else fails, we turn to the filter gods and start praying. The
methods described in this section are rather dangerous… but
desperate times call for desperate measures. Just donʼt ever
attempt to do these otherwise.

METHOD 5) FREEZE IT!

TOOLS REQUIRED : Ziploc bag, silica gel

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 The “mythical science” method is what I call this. Tried it once, did
not work, and will never use this method again. You can try this out
of desperation if you want to. Put the stuck filter into a ziploc bag
along with some silica gel (or a piece of bread if you donʼt have silica
gel), and let them sit in the freezer for 30 mins.

Take out the stuck filter and try to unscrew them.

The silica gel (or piece of bread) is supposedly used to absorb

moisture to prevent a wet lens, and the sudden change from cold to
warm will supposedly help to loose the filter with
contraction/expansion… supposedly.

Well, this method did not work for me, but who knows?

An expensive lens and stuck filter in a bag.

METHOD 6) SAW IT

TOOLS REQUIRED : Clamp, saw

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 When the “soft methods” donʼt work, itʼs time for the heavy duty
tools. Use a hacksaw to partially cut the filter, then use a file to turn it
like a screwdriver. This will potentially destroy your filter, and your
entire lens if you are not careful. Obviously.

METHOD 7) USE THE HAMMER

TOOLS REQUIRED : Hammer, pilers

When everything else fails, itʼs time for the ultimate solution. Smash
the filter, break the ring and save the lens.

Read this – The Canon Way to remove a stuck filter.

CLOSING
DID IT WORK?

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 Hope one of these seven methods helped you to get out of the
sticky situation. Which method worked for you, and do you have
better ways to remove a stuck filter? Share them in the comments
below.

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