[yorik]

Hi All,

I bought a Sigma superwide II (24mm) a few months ago. For the most part I am pleased - excellent IQ (by my standards) and a 36mm field of view. The only problem that I have encountered is that it arrived with a UV filter attached, and I have been unable to detach it. I have applied a considerable amount of torque (by hand), to no avail.

I don't care about the filter, but I don't want to damage the lens... Any suggestions?

[silverbow47]

A lot of stores carry filter wrenches. They are generally sold in pairs for a few dollars. I recently had a stuck filter on my Tamron 90mm macro an luckily I happen to have one. Works really good.

[Ken T]

find a little wide rubber band put around the filter and turn. If the rubber band does not help then use a tight wrap.

[crewl1]

If everything looks normal on the lens thread, ie no dents or deformation, then try putting the lens filter side down on the sole of a shoe and turn the lens counter clockwise while pressing down.
This avoids any deformation of the filter that occurs when you try to remove it by hand and makes it stick.

[jatrax]

Often the harder you try the more you deform the filter thus wedging it even tighter. The metal is so thin that any pressure sideways on it actually locks it tighter. The trick is to apply even pressure all the way around with a filter wrench or rubber band. Or try something anti-slip on the front edges of the filter but not on the sides. A shoe sole as suggested above might work but a rubber kitchen jar lid remover laid flat on the counter might be more uniform.

[yorik]

Thanks for all the quick replies..!

[pxpaulx]

As several have stated the more pressure you put on it, the harder it can be to remove. I've actually found a simple solution often works, and that is to pinch only one side of the metal filter rim between your fingers instead of grabbing around the full outside. This doesn't add any pressure and often results in an easy removal assuming there are no issues with the filter or lens threads themselves. I'm sure one of the many solutions above will help too!

[Digitalis]

find a little wide rubber band put around the filter and turn. If the rubber band does not help then use a tight wrap.

Cable ties which are ordinarily used to keep computer cabling tidy can be extremely useful for this purpose.They distribute pressure equally around the circumference of the filter frame

[wombat2go]

And (after the filter is off) I run a pencil (graphite) around the threads. Seems to help a lot, even if there is some deformation.

[Digitalis]

I use a 2B pencil for that. The harder the pencil is the more clay they use to harden the graphite, clay tends to gum up and abrade filter threads, so using a soft pencil is the best way to go.

[EarlVonTapia]

Take a hacksaw, place it blade down so that the saw bisects the filter. Begin cutting. Stop when you're deep enough that you cannot twist the blade unless the filter twists with it. This should be just before the blade teeth touch the glass.

Now you have a hacksaw screwdriver to take that filter off.

The filter will no longer be usable.

[abmj]

As previously suggested - Adorama Filter Wrench for 67mm-77mm Filters,Pack of 2 7206

[mushin]

I used to make filter wrenches for this until I discovered that a simple hose clamp works just as well. Get one at the auto parts store and slowly increase tension until is stops slipping. Then just twist the filter off.

[Kozlok]

If all else fails, go for the torch.








(Obviously joking!)

[tim60]

I have used a strap wrench to separate filters. The most extreme was two 116mm filters jammed together. Needed to buy a second, really big , strap wrench. Rubinar filters have really roughly machined threads that feel like plumbing fittings.

Also useful for jar lids and plumbing stuff.

That needs a little thought about the hygiene implications!