Handy Item To Own - Filter Wrench

[rpcrowe]

There are really only three types of round, screw-in, filters that I use: CPL, ND and occasionally a clear protective filter (when working in an area that might be dangerous to the front element of my lens).

However, even though I am quite careful in attaching filters, they sometimes get stuck and are difficult to remove. There is a greater chance of threads binding with filters that use an aluminum mounting ring than those that use a brass mount.

Recently, a friend's CPL filter became stick in his lens. He asked for help. I always have a set of filter wrenches handy. They are very cheap in price and are lightweight and take up virtually no storage space. The filter wrench will allow you to remove jammed filters without defacing either filter or lens; which could be the case if you attempted to use an inappropriate tool (such as a plumber's wrench) to remove the filter.

I'd recommend anyone who uses filters to invest in an appropriate filter wrench or set of filter wrenches.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/49-52-55-58-...0AAOSwk1JWcCp~

Filter wrench sets usually come in two sizes, one size for 49-57 mm filters and the other size for 67-77mm filters. There are usually two of each size in a set. You would use a single wrench to remove a filter stuck in the lens threads and use two wrenches to separate two filters that have been stuck together.



For larger size filters, there are larger size wrenches available. My largest filter is 77mm which I use for several of my lenses so I don't need a larger wrench.

For the cost of a few dollars, you might save a lens and/or a filter from damage and certainly make life easier for yourself...

[Shadowman]

I've had a few tussles with filters, luckily nothing permanent. Thanks for link.

[Dave Humphries]

Interesting Richard,

In the past I have used either a rubber band or one of those grippy things to assist getting lids off jars to remove a stuck filter from a lens.

However, I can see these might be invaluable for separating two filters from each other; say a CPL from a 'protective', if the latter unscrews from the lens unintentionally. Or for separating a filter from a step up ring.

UPDATE: I found them on Amazon UK and ordered a pair in the two size ranges for £3.98 in total (free shipping) - so thanks again.
The identical product seemed to be available for a variety of prices ranging up to £9.99, plus others similar but not identical - I went with the iGadgitz ones. Can't hurt to have them in the bag for that price.

UPDATE 2: Mine arrived today (6 January)
Just got to find a place in the camera bag for 'em now.

Cheers, Dave

[DanK]

I had a few that were very thin, and one broke easily. I've also used rubber bands.

[rpcrowe]

I once used "Canon Plug" pliers to remove filters that were stuck. I inherited a pair of these from one of my Navy assignments in the Reconnaissance Community.

They worked but had a few drawbacks. They were heavy and too big to carry, they were expensive and they were often too wide in the teeth to use on a slim filter.
The type filter wrenches that I referred to in the original post don't have those liabilities...

[Manfred M]

Richard - I've had these plastic filter wrenches in my camera bag for years. While I try to be careful when I mount filter and try to not overtighten, I do sometimes screw up. While the rubber band trick does work for regular filters, I haven't found a better solution for rotating filters, like polarizers or round grads. It's the only way I can get my low profile polarizer off my lenses when I gets lodged in place.

[Mike Buckley]

I had an immensely difficult time getting a broken filter off a lens. In fact, my very patient and persistent guide got it off for me when it became apparent that I would never be able to remove it myself. That was 11 years ago. I've kept a pair of the cheap plastic wrenches in my bag ever since. I've used them only once but I sure was glad to have them that one time.

Filter wrenches are like health insurance; it's important to have it but you never want to have to use it.

[Bobobird]

Thanks for the tip Richard. I have been mulling on and off about the for some time but never got round to getting a pair. Only had one stuck and the rubber band trick worked. As others are saying I should get the real deal.

Done 3.59cad/free shipping was the cheapest I could find on ebay.ca

[jonjdoe]

I just purchased a pair of these from B&H, and almost immediately needed one. Save a lens!

[Tronhard]

Hi Richard:

This is really great! I went on line and ordered from the same site, paying about $3.59 Can. including postage for two different sized sets of two units. I could have really used them when I was checking my cameras through security at Vancouver airport. The official dropped my padded camera holster containing my camera and it fell maybe 20cm to the floor. No issue I thought until I opened it later. The filter (sadly a 77mm polarizing one) had taken the hit and was shattered, it was also slightly contorted so that I could not, for the life of me, get it off the lens. In the end I had to take a hacksaw to the filter and the lens has a tiny mark on the filter thread where the blade touched it. Luckily the lens itself was not damaged and has given great shots since, but it would have been great to have one of these tools on hand. THANK YOU!!!

[rpcrowe]

I am glad that this posting seems to have helped some fellow CiC members.

I consider my filter wrenches like accident insurance, I don't need it until I need it. But, then I really need it!

[Tronhard]

I have to say that the Canon Plug looks like something I would use to fix my plumbing! LOL!!!

[rpcrowe]

Actually, it is handy for grasping just about anything round that you don't want to scratch.

[Tronhard]

Actually, it is handy for grasping just about anything round that you don't want to scratch.

The mind boggles...

[Bobobird]

Done 3.59cad/free shipping was the cheapest I could find on ebay.ca

Arrived today and within the expected delivery timeframe.

Odd thing is the package had 2 of each size.

[loosecanon]

whilst the correct device is best I have used cable ties as a way of getting a grip on the filters.

[rpcrowe]

Arrived today and within the expected delivery timeframe.

Odd thing is the package had 2 of each size.

There are a pair of filters for each size. If the filter is stuck on the lens, you just use a single filter to help remove it. However when two filters are stuck together, you would use a pair of wrenches, one for each filter.

[Bobobird]

Ahhhh, makes sense. Thanks.

[Saorsa]

Will those work on a Nikon

I remember actually wiring hundreds if not thousands of 55 pin Cannon plugs when a new facility was being build.