[mccririck]

Any tips for getting a filter off an old Pentax lens? I've been using reasonable force and it won't budge!

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Last edited by mccririck; 04-12-2019 at 06:05 AM.

[aslyfox]

one suggestion would be to use a soft can top gripper ?

or you might try a filter wrench ?

[photolady95]

I used a plastic wire tie to remove stubborn stuck filters from my lenses. Best thing is they're cheap.

[pearsaab]

rubber band works for me

[aslyfox]

are there threads on the open side of the filter?

if so, you might try attaching another filter, grip both as you turn to take both off

there may be more leverage then

[photolady95]

There is threads inside the filter but not on the outside unless it's a reverse filter or coupling filter.

[bdery]

If nothing works, photo stores sell cheap filter removal tools, these work well. Some brick and mortar stores might even help you out.

[Docrwm]

Cool the filter (or heat the lens) gently thereby changing the diameter ever so slightly of one or the other (if the gripping options don't work). Don't resort to lubricants as they can seep into the lens.

[clickclick]

Be careful you're not gripping the filter so hard you distort it and bind it up. I've found on some "stuck" filters, if I loosened my grip, I could break them free.

[TonyW]

Rubber band works for me too!

You Tube

You Tube

[Ontarian50]

Best thing I've, ever, ever used for stuck filters is a cheap pair of grippy gloves from the dollar store.

They're the ones with the cotton backing, and coated with stippled rubber all over the palm and fingers.

With one hand I've got a good grip on the lens, and with the other I press my palm firmly on the front surface of the filter (not so much the sides) and twist.

I agree with the previous poster that squeezing hard on the sides of the filter often just serves to bind it thoroughly on the sides you're not squeezing. I have some of those filter wrenches kicking around somewhere, and rubber bands do sometimes work - but the rubber work gloves are the greatest thing yet.

[Wheatfield]

Best thing I've, ever, ever used for stuck filters is a cheap pair of grippy gloves from the dollar store.

They're the ones with the cotton backing, and coated with stippled rubber all over the palm and fingers.

With one hand I've got a good grip on the lens, and with the other I press my palm firmly on the front surface of the filter (not so much the sides) and twist.

I agree with the previous poster that squeezing hard on the sides of the filter often just serves to bind it thoroughly on the sides you're not squeezing. I have some of those filter wrenches kicking around somewhere, and rubber bands do sometimes work - but the rubber work gloves are the greatest thing yet.

^^^^^This^^^^^
I’ve never tried grippy gloves, I’ve never had to resort to more than a dishwashing “rubber” glove. The biggie is being able to have enough torque on the filter without distorting the ring in the process.

[Turbotak]

Be careful you're not gripping the filter so hard you distort it and bind it up. I've found on some "stuck" filters, if I loosened my grip, I could break them free.

This x100

When you put extra force, even when unscrewing, you can bind it up from the downward force and make it more stuck. Try pulling away lightly from the lens in varying degrees while twisting off, and using as light a grip as necessary while steadily increasing grip/twisting power.

[Not a Number]

Invest in a set of lens filter or strap wrenches. You won't regret it, especially since there are so many other uses for the strap wrenches. Unlike your fingers even when aided by grippy pads, gloves or rubber bands the pressure is distributed evenly around the filter so there is no distortion.

[bilybianca]

If force doesn't help, more force will…

Kjell