Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Ugh, I have a S-M-C Takumar 1.8/55 that has a 49mm filter that seems to be stuck! Can't get it off.

Tried two dish washer gloves, mouse pad over the filter rim, man it's just stuck on there.

I think at this point I don't really care about the filter but I heard there are filter wrenches but I am not sure it's going to help.

Anyone have experience removing a super fused filter?

I've done it before with a new pair of sneakers. Step on the shoe with the sole facing up, face the lens down with filter side on the sole (this is why I say to use a new shoe), push down and turn. It's an old trick and it worked for me at least for the one time I needed it...

Uneven pressure on the ring (as in trying to pinch it with your fingers etc) can make it more difficult to remove. The above method sounds good though I've never tried that one before. I've used an old neoprene backed mousepad flipped upside down on a flat surface (desk, table top) in the past.

Any of these methods may work it sounds like maybe a bit of corrosion or dirt binding the thread. The problem with a method that pushes against the end is that pressure in some cases might make it more difficult by binding the thread with more force. You might want to go down to a camera store like Downtown and ask them to remove it or you could buy the proper tool of the internet if the stores around here don't carry a 49mm one.

http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototip ... -lens.html

rubber will probably work best -- try buying some cheap rubber gloves from the store, and turn the filter - don't push against it. You might cross thread the filter if you put pressure on it while trying to turn it.

I normally use a rubber pad designed for opening jars. A light tap with a rubber mallet might help as well but you have to be careful.

Thanks for the responses.

Hmm, what If I decided to scrap the filter, does a toothed wrench that will just bite into the filter and with minimal pressure applied. It would rip into the filter ring but wonder if that would be bad for the lens thread.

The difficult part is to get a hold of the barrel. I turned the focus ring to extend the neck for maximum surface area to grip which isn't much like a little over half an inch. Used a rubber glove to hold it. I've tried to turn it with minimum pressure applied. I may try the filter wrenches.

My 3 yr old was watching me try to unscrew the filter and asked "why are you red?" lol

rofl .. too funny

I've always used the palm of my hand on the ring, and had it work most of the time.

When it didn't work I use those rubber "wrenches" for removing lids off jars...one on the filter, and one (in the opposite direction) on the lens.

if you're ok to scrap the filter, the easiest way to remove it is to cut two notches opposing over the diameter and use a long blade such as a knife as a wrench. A hack saw is the best tool to cut those notches.
Use a rubber pad to hold the lens barrel.

Not sure if the filter is too thin or not, but I found that I have been able to solve these sorts of problems with a Super Clamp. I had a m42 adapter that was stuck to the lens and wouldn't budge at all. I tried to use most of the methods above but was out of luck. At a TSG meet, we also had a similar problem with an adapter being stuck on the lightstand, and I managed to fix it with the super clamp too.

Out of desperation I used a super clamp to clamp on to the adapter and was able to unscrew it out. Mind you I had a few scratches here and there.

perfect candid shot if your wife had the camera... I had several scenes pictured in my mind.... innocent face of the child asking, dad frustrated on the filter.... priceless

Going into my next adorama order!