Filter jaming on step up ring

[markjass]

Since day 1 my circular polarising filter jammed on my step up ring. Finally it became stuck fast. This happened at an inopportune moment as I was just off on a trip. I had no choice but to buy a new filter. I need to buy a new step up ring so that I can use my nd filters. Should I risk buying the same type of aluminium step up ring or buy a brass one? Does any one use anything on their filters to stop jamming on their lens?

[LePetomane]

I use a small drop (and I mean small) drop of parrafin based lubricant on my filter threads, and wipe it around with a gun cleaning patch. You do not want it to come in contact with the glass.


Spending more on a filter is usually worth it in terms of optical quality and brass. Brass will be heavier. Another thing is to use a filter wrench.

[Donald]

Does any one use anything on their filters to stop jamming on their lens?

Try Prayer!

It's a problem that we've almost all encountered. I just try to be very careful when putting the filters on, not to try and over-tighten.

[Manfred M]

A pair of inexpensive filter wrenches works too.



The problem with aluminum is that it is a very reactive metal that oxides on contact with the oxygen in the air and forms a very hard layer. Every time that this layer is disturbed, more aluminum oxide forms and effectively starts blocking the threads. Aluminum oxides is used in grinding wheels and sandpaper; that's how hard it is.

The vaseline trick works but is problematic in very cold weather were it becomes extremely viscous and makes it hard to turn the filters. Brass filters and step up rings are superior, but much more expensive and is only used by the higher end manufacturers.

I avoid step up rings on filters as much as possible. Overtightening is an issue, as Donald points out.

[zen]

I've got all brass filters and rings, and even these tighten up now and then. But as has been pointed out by Manfred, the brass rings seem to work much better. You can feel the difference with them. I've never had a brass ring jam up to the point of not being able to remove. I've always been of the opinion that the more expensive rings are worth the $.

Good luck.

Zen

[Stagecoach]

When separating tight filters do not just grip on opposite sides as this can distort the rings and make things worse. Try to grip/hold with 3 or 4 fingers equally spaced around them.

[rpcrowe]

I have, in the past, run the male threads of a filter or adapter ring over a bar of soap. This seems to apply some lubrication without the danger of the lubricant spilling over onto the glass of the filter. If you accidentally get some soap on the glass in that process, it can be washed off with lukewarm water without damaging the filter.

[William W]

Ditto Richard's comment 100%: bar of soap as the lubricant for filter/ring threads (and good for zippers, curtain runners, etc also). Easily obtainable, cheap and does no damage.

Re brass vs. aluminium - I have a few step up and step down rings, all are aluminium and I have found that provided they've been 'lubricated' before use and filter removed after use, I have had no problem with them binding to the rings.

Brass vs. Aluminium threads on Filters (as opposed to Rings) is where I'd invest the extra money: because, for most Photographers, Filters tend to stay housed on Lenses for long periods of time.

If however you are in the school of donning a Filter only for a specific purpose and not as 'Lens Protection', (i.e. your lenses are typically naked) then I think that the quality of the optic of the Filter is more important than choosing between Brass vs. Aluminium; noted that if the Filter has Brass threads, then very likely it will be a good optic, anyway.

WW

[markjass]

Thank you all for replying. It is good, but not good if you get my drift to hear that others have had the same problem. I had tried not to over tighten the filter, but because of the nature of the circular polarising had over tightened it. I may well get myself a brass step up. I had never heard of a filter wrench. I did manage to separate the filter from the holder, but in doing so stuffed the step up ring (the side that screws into the lens). I have an old scratched up UV filter and will experiment with the soap/paraffin/graphite.

[Manfred M]

I had never heard of a filter wrench.

I generally have a cheap pair in my camera bag, just in case. It prevents doing any damage to your filter or step up ring.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...rench_Set.html

[royent]

They are the type of thing that if you get them, you'll never need them !
Roy

[Pippan]

S

They are the type of thing that if you get them, you'll never need them !
Roy

So true! Had a Hoya HD CPL that kept on sticking hard, bought some wrenches and B+W filters. Never used the wrenches.

[William W]

Emergency in the field solution. Use the 4 or 5 finger grip as Grahame described in Post #6

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WW