Cross Threaded Lens Filter

Once you cross thread, your chances of damaging one or both items is extremely high. So I don't think there is going to be a way not to damage eith of them. Your best shot would be to take it to a shop that knows how to repair them. They might either know of a way, or be able to fix the damage.

I ditto Dan, Melissa. A camera shop will most likely have a spanner wrench that may be able to dislodge it. Good luck and sorry.

What size lens filter - 52mm, 77mm, etc.?

I have used a wide pair of channel locks with a portion of a t-shirt wrapped around the filter with success. Wrap the filter, adjust the channel locks around and snug them closed, gently applying pressure as to not crack the filter. The leverage of the channel locks handle should assist it to unscrew, providing it is not cross threaded so bad.

I always keep a short length (about a foot) of nylon rope in my camera bags. If you loop it around a stuck filter, tightly twist the free ends, then use the twisted part as a handle and rotate, you can easily remove the filter. Never fails!

Don't use tools! They can really mess up filters and lenses. When you apply pressure to a wrench (or tightly squeeze the filter with your hand), you can actually egg the filter frame, tightening it more. The idea is to provide even pressure around the filter frame, which is what the rope does. If you carry a rope monopod, you already have what you need.

I discovered this method while shooting an old rowboat and needed to remove my polarizer, which was stuck. The boat had some old rope attached to it. Voila!

They sell plastic len filter wrenches for a few dollars. Adorama Filter Wrench for 67-77mm Filters, Package of 2 $5

http://www.amazon.com/Adorama-Filter-67-77mm-Filters-Package/dp/B0046V0VNA/

Murray Bloom uses the same technique I do, with the difference that I use a leather shoelace to successfully remove stuck filters. I've kept one in my camera bag for years for just this very purpose. Think of it as putting a tourniquet around your filter, and use a pen or a stick to make the binding tight. Then you will have a hand made "wrench" you can use to remove the stuck filter.

You can also use a handy kitchen appliance such as a jar lid opener, which is often large round plastic pliers, or even the soft rubber disks that are made for removing lids.

Best of luck.

i had to use a lens wrench set with a rubber band under it to keep it from slipping. you might be able to warm one side to expand it a little bit. i would avoid pliers, it could knock it out of round and make it worse - not to mention crack the filter.

---Mike Savad

Ok, im going to try each of these one by one till one works..thank you for your suggestions

Why use anything but a lens wench designed for the purpose? Spend the $5 and have it in a few days. Keep one in your camera bag.

Edward, to answer your question, free (or nearly so) is better than five bucks plus shipping. The rope method always works and has never damaged anything. It's also a universal fit and works with any size filter.

Regarding Mike's suggestion. Never apply heat to a lens. It can cause internal lubricants to liquify and flow. Once it gets on glass surfaces, you'll need an expensive lens disassembly and cleaning.

Hint: To avoid cross threading, always turn the filter counter-clockwise when attaching it until you hear or feel the threads engage, then tighten it.

Ok. whew.. Its off...holy cow I was nervous. Thanks for the suggestions...This was my first camera and I was soooo ignorant of these things and I wasnt paying the attention I should have when putting it on...lesson learned.

Happy to hear things worked, Melissa. Now we can all send our stuck filters to you! :-)

So Melissa, what method did you use??

the heat was only a last chance effort. my last filter glued itself on, from years of lens cleaner building up in the lens. it was like freaking cement.


---Mike Savad

I warmed it a little with the hair dryer and did the tourniquet. Well my dad did. But it came right off after a few tries. No damage. Thank you guys soooooo much!!