Filter stuck on lens - Help ideas welcomed

[PhilT]

Hi,
The polarizing filter I put on my lens (Tamron 17-50) is stuck and I did not succeed to remove it, loosing a lot of light. I'm afraid to damage the lens if I try to use tools to force it. Did someone had the same problem? Ideas about a smooth way to take it off without destroying it or the lens
Thanks for any help.
PhilT

[Ken MT]

Suggest a lens filter wrench.
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/...ch-Review.aspx

[gregj1763]

Hi Philippe, I managed to remove a stuck filter once by placing one of those wider rubber bands around it then applying firm even pressure.
Good luck with it

[Stagecoach]

When you grip it try to spread four fingers/thumb equally around the diameter with minimum pressure to minimise distortion.

[DanK]

I've used both a fat rubber band and a filter wrench. Both worked. The wrench is a bit better--it spreads the pressure evenly around the filter (see Grahame's post) and allows you to apply more torque without accidentally increasing pressure. However, the wrenches are often unnecessary and, in my limited experience, easy to break. I would go ahead and get a set of appropriately sized wrenches--they are very cheap--but a rubber band may be enough.

[William W]

WW

[Manfred M]

I use filter wrenches too:

[Stagecoach]

Another one they say that can work is a plastic 'Cable Tie'

[Ken MT]

B&H
Tamaron lens $300
Polariser to fit $68
Filter wrenches (2) $5.95

[PhilT]

Thanks a lot to everyone from the great CiC community, who all gave useful tips. I'll first try with the rubber (simplest and don't need to find a specialized shop ) and hope I'll succeed.
PhilT

[pendennis]

In case the above great solutions don't work, see if you can find a 4x4 sheet of rubber, either live or neoprene. Hold the rubber over the lens so it applies even pressure to the entire filter.

I bought some rubber sheets at a now-closed hardware store a number of years ago. They work on just about anything, including jar tops, stuck filters, even opening soft drink bottles.

[pschlute]

Other thing to try in combination is to experiment in warmer/colder conditions so the metals expand/contract

[xpatUSA]

Other thing to try in combination is to experiment in warmer/colder conditions so the metals expand/contract

Expanding on that, if I may.

Immerse the filter (only) in ice-water while holding the lens body near the filter. Whip the lens up and try to unscrew the filter real quick (within a second or two).

Failing that, dip the filter in liquid nitrogen while applying a blow-torch to the front lens element ...

[chaman]

[Andrew1]

Don't put your lens in water. Even part of it.

Internal threads need to be contracted while external threads need to stay the same or enlarged.

Put a small metal pot in the freezer for about an hour. Take it out and put the lens in the pot with the polarizing filter down against the very cold bottom. Leaving it like that for a couple of minutes should contract the filter ring enough to loosen things up. The previously mentioned elastic band offers a great assist that most of us have readily available. Those straps with a handle for removing jar lids are even better. https://www.google.ca/search?q=jar+l...w=1680&bih=908 (My favourite is a leather shoe lace to add some leverage)

If it went on too tight to start with there can be some galling that has occurred. In that case you may need some professional help if the metals have welded together. Soft metals like the aluminum and brass the filter rings are sometimes made of are especially bad for that.