topic Re: Stuck filters in Camera Accessories

Dealing with stuck filters

Ramsden — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:49:29 GMT

Hi folks

EOS90D and 7, about to be 8 lenses. Recent posts have revealed how common the problem of stuck filters is amongst us. I got mine down to two, but they were STUCK!

As an engineer I genuinely apologies for this photo of the method I resorted too, to remove the stuck filters. But I was extremely careful, and eventually got them off my lenses. I have to tell you, that even with these plumbers grips, it was difficult.

Lenses are all now cleaned and in good condition, awaiting new clear glass filters and maybe a trial with magnetic filters. All options remain open, but I've just fitted a new (expensive) clear 67mm filter, and its 'clear'! How on earth do you assess clear glass?

Ramsden

Re: Stuck filters

Waddizzle — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 17:03:10 GMT

Lens Filter Wrenches. Plastic. They won’t make it easier, just safer for the user and lens.

Re: Stuck filters

Ramsden — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 17:09:50 GMT

Thanks, I should have asked!

Re: Stuck filters

stevet1 — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 17:38:30 GMT

Ramsden,

You wrote, "How on earth do you assess clear glass?"

If you can see through it, you're good to go.

😀

Steve

Re: Stuck filters

justadude — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 18:05:01 GMT

I learned this one back in the 1980's...

Take a rag, and spray a very small amount of WD-40 onto one small section of the rag. Wipe off excess on a paper towel. Carefully wipe the threads of the filter with the rag, not touching the glass. Let it partially dry for a minute, then screw the filter onto the lens, then take it right back off. Look for any excess, and wipe it off. Then reattach the filter to the lens. It should come off easily next time.

Re: Stuck filters

Ramsden — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 18:11:06 GMT

They're in the post arrive tomorrow. Thanks

Ramsden

Re: Stuck filters

Ramsden — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 18:20:46 GMT

Gary

Thanks. That makes perfect sense to me. Clearly a lot of care and attention is required. I'd also been wondering if I could use something like a graphite lubricant. Have you ever heard of that being done?

But given that I've just spent around £50 on B&W clear glass lens, I'm being very cautious.

Ramsden

Re: Stuck filters

zakslm — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 22:03:56 GMT

Gary,

I’m not a big fan of WD-40 around my camera equipment and the like, but I like your suggested technique.

I’ve used minute amounts of 3in1 brand Dry Lube (Often suggested as a lubricant for door locks and padlocks) to lubricant the pop-up flash hinges on my camera when needed. I apply tiny drops with the head of a pin to the hinges, but that’s a different type of issue. The advantage of a dry lube is that when it dries, it does not attract dust, dirt, lint, etc. like WD-40 or a wet lubricant may leading to future gum-ups.

I wonder if it would work as a substitute for WD-40 in your suggested application?

Regard,

Re: Stuck filters

zakslm — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 22:11:34 GMT

Noooo!

No graphite lubricant! Sorry to be so empathetic, but both the graphite powder or graphite grease (or lithium grease for that matter) don’t sound like a good idea.

Make sure the filter threads on the lens are clean and clear of all dust, dirt and debris and don’t over-tighten the filter. You should be fine.

Re: Stuck filters

jrhoffman75 — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 23:21:15 GMT

@Ramsden wrote:

Hi folks

EOS90D and 7, about to be 8 lenses. Recent posts have revealed how common the problem of stuck filters is amongst us. I got mine down to two, but they were STUCK!

As an engineer I genuinely apologies for this photo of the method I resorted too, to remove the stuck filters. But I was extremely careful, and eventually got them off my lenses. I have to tell you, that even with these plumbers grips, it was difficult.

Lenses are all now cleaned and in good condition, awaiting new clear glass filters and maybe a trial with magnetic filters. All options remain open, but I've just fitted a new (expensive) clear 67mm filter, and its 'clear'! How on earth do you assess clear glass?

Ramsden

Place the lens filter down on a rug or bathmat and twist counterclockwise. Thatches always worked for me. The Amazon tools just twist and distort and don't work (for me). I keep any sort of chemical other than quality lens cleaner away from my camera,

Re: Stuck filters

Ramsden — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 06:42:54 GMT

Good morning

I tend to like this idea, and agree with Zak. I don't like the idea of any substances being near my camera mechanism. It just doesn't feel right.

The camera feels like a 'dry' mechanism and works well, down to excellent engineering.

Ramsden

Re: Stuck filters

Ramsden — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 07:09:51 GMT

One further thing, if you examine a lens filter after it has been stuck, it appears to have a grey substance on the threads.

I wonder if this is the result of electrolysis, when an electronic current passes between dissimilar metals, and the weaker metal corrodes. On bigger structures the engineers use cathodic protection to manage this process.

Given that my filters, up till now, have been cheap uv's, that would make sense.

Just a thought...

Ramsden

Re: Stuck filters

SignifDigits — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 13:55:41 GMT

@Ramsden as an engineer I'm sure you are ware that what you experienced was bimetallic bonding due to galvanic action or oxidation. If the lens threads are brass, then brass would be the right choice. If aluminum, then aluminum. As many moden lenses use aluminum, brass threads is a great marketing ploy but a bad choice as there is natural galvanic action between aluminum and brass due to humidity in the air. Brass was perfect when lens threads were brass, but not so with aluminum.

From the AI: "Brass and aluminum cause galvanic corrosion when in direct contact, with aluminum acting as the sacrificial anode. In the presence of an electrolyte (like moisture or water), electrons transfer between the metals, causing the aluminum to rapidly dissolve and physically fuse to the brass."

Of course aluminum DOES oxidate (aka rust), just creating layer of aluminum oxide instead of the iron oxide rust that we all know of as "rust".

I'm assuming what you saw was aluminum oxide as it is grey (often spelled gray across the pond).

If we put anything on the threads it should be a corrosion inhibitor. None of the materials mentioned thus far qualify. CRC (and others, even the company that makes WD-40) make products designed for this purpose.

Paint (hopefully anodized) on both threads is the best protection if both are aluminum. Anodization is preferred over regular paint as it is more permanently bonded. I'm assuming that Canon and the better filter manufacturers use anodization.

I notice that several of my Canon lens threads are plastic. This is perfect. It may seem cheap, but the threads on my RF 70-200 f/2.8 L USM Z lens appears to be plastic and I don't think anyone would call that a "cheap" lens. The most recent EF version of this lens was of aluminum. If your lens threads are plastic you don't need to apply anything as aluminum oxide does not adhere well enough to plastic to cause concern.

The only time I would consider a treatment would be if I were using brass to aluminum (lens to filter) or vice-versa or if both the same materials if they were going to be on "forever-ish" and/or in a harsh environment.

Of course, anytime your lens threads get wet, you should take the filter off to let them dry. And anytime you install a filter it would be wise to inspect them for signs of degradation of the coating on the threads.

I take my lens filters off for more serious shooting, and that seems to work for me with no treatments. If I were leaving one on "forever" kind of thing I would attempt a layer of teflon tape as superior to a coating. That said, getting that in place would be a nightmare, so I really cannot recommend it (I gave an attempt whilst writing this and wholly do NOT recommend it as practical, just technically superior) as a real-world solution.

Thus, what I do and personally recommend is putting a filter for transport, etc, and taking the filter off and counting on the lens hood to protect your lens during use. I install high-quality clear lenses for those times I forget or want to keep, something off the lens (as when I'm in a mist at the bottom of the waterfall when take the filer off and on) If I use a CPL (and I have not yet) I would only install it during shooting. And when things are wet, bet sure to take the filter off so that it's not trapped in the threads.

That is a cool looking tool, by the way. I might have some tool envy 🙂

Re: Stuck filters

Ramsden — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:24:24 GMT

Thanks for a great response to my message and some great takeaways. You made me laugh with the Teflon tape. I, like 000s of other folks have probably ended up in the same mess doing some home plumbing. And - it was on my list of things to try on the filters - but I'll pass on that one now.

But from what you wrote, I was on the right track, particularly with dissimilar metals.

In the 1970s I worked on the North Sea gas pipelines covering a couple of thousand miles. We used to weld a small boxes with 'soft' metal inside onto the pipeline, every few miles. The box was earthed by a cable, and I'm sure a small electric current ran through the pipeline so it acted as a sacrificial anode.

But what I really like is your idea of just using filters for transportation and take them off when shooting. Now thats the most logical and (with hindsight) sensible thing to do. Since last week, I've ordered 3 B&W clear filters- at great expense. But your idea has stopped me buying anymore, in fact they might get returned!

I'm not particularly fanatical about my photographic work, but I lean towards letting the camera do most of the work, as sitting in front of a computer doesn't appeal to me.

Thanks again

Ramsden