How to remove a stuck filter from front element

[limvo05]

Hi Experts,

I was wondering if anyone could give me good suggestions on how to remove a tuck filter from the front element? Are there tools I should try to buy or send it to Canon shops to have it removed? Lens in question is 70-200 MK2.

Thanks,

LV

[TCampbell]

There are “filter wrenches” (and they’re cheap).  But I find that I can usually work a filter loose by using an orbital wobble while twisting it.

A filter only needs to be threaded on enough to prevent it from falling off (about one or two threads).  I never full screw on a filter (having been burned by stuck filters once or twice myself).  

[Waddizzle]

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@limvo05 wrote:

Hi Experts,

I was wondering if anyone could give me good suggestions on how to remove a tuck filter from the front element? Are there tools I should try to buy or send it to Canon shops to have it removed? Lens in question is 70-200 MK2.

Thanks,

LV

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A lens wrench works.  Sending it in to let Canon do a “Clean and Check” is best.

[shadowsports]

Big fluffy towel..  latex gloves.  How stuck is it. 

[Ray-uk]

A rubber glove usually works but don't squeeze too hard otherwise the filter can deform slightly making it grip even tighter. The other easy way is to place the lens with the filter straight down onto a silicon mat, press down on the lens and twist.

[RobertTheFat]

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@Ray-uk wrote:

A rubber glove usually works but don't squeeze too hard otherwise the filter can deform slightly making it grip even tighter. The other easy way is to place the lens with the filter straight down onto a silicon mat, press down on the lens and twist.

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You do mean a silicone mat, right? I think a silicon mat might be the very last thing I'd recommend.

[ebiggs1]

I find that what works best is to put another filter on and tighten them together.  Get a nice wide rubber band that fits snugly to help with grip.  Small jerky effort also helps.

[limvo05]

All,

Many thanks for the suggestions. FYI. I got this idea from a youtube and I was able to get it off. Zip ties. See photo

Thanks,

LV

[Anonymous]

I realize this won't help after you got a stuck filter, but here's a hint to prevent it in the future.  I understand that filters with a brass retaining ring are less likely to get stuck, compared to aluminum ones, since brass is harder and less likely to get bent or deformed, also due to what's called "galling"     Also, I'd clean the threads just in case there's debris in there. 

[limvo05]

While I couldn't agreed more with all the suggestions and comments regarding using filter to protect the lens. I can't help but wondering do you really need it? My experience of late seems to indicates filters can do more harm than good, ie. it distorts the image. Perhaps the distortion is not as visible with lessor pixel cameras? With the 5Ds, you can see them quite clearly. Hopefully, it's not my eyes playing tricks on me, but I do see differences when enlarged/zoom in at 100% on my imac.

Thanks,

Lim