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stuck macro filter... help!

chloew
Apprentice

I have tried just about everything to get a macro filter off of my rebel t3i.. any other suggestions? It has been stuck for quite some time. I just want it off. Not even the rubber band trick will work. Please help!

17 REPLIES 17

"(though he does warn that it’s “not recommended for the faint of heart”)."

 

Not recommended for the faint of heart?  Smiley Surprised  It should have read not recommended for anybody.

 

The problem at hand is to try and preserve the integrity of the gear.  Not destroy it in the process. 

EB
EOS 1D, EOS 1D MK IIn, EOS 1D MK III, EOS 1Ds MK III, EOS 1D MK IV and EOS 1DX and many lenses.

I would try one of the rubbery jar opener things and a hair dryer.

Gently heat up the end of the lens and then try to remove it.


@ebiggs1 wrote:

"(though he does warn that it’s “not recommended for the faint of heart”)."

 

Not recommended for the faint of heart?  Smiley Surprised  It should have read not recommended for anybody.

 

The problem at hand is to try and preserve the integrity of the gear.  Not destroy it in the process. 


Quite so. But if you're not willing to consider penetrating oil (and maybe even if you are), it may simply be impossible to get the filter off without breaking something. And if you're going to break something, it's usually better that it be the filter than the lens.

 

As for me, I'd send it to be repaired, if the repair cost isn't greater than the replacement cost of the lens.

Bob
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

Now, Robert from Boston,

 

Somehow 40+ years tells me penetrating oil and/or a hammer near the front element of a lens is not a good thing.  Maybe that's just me but I really don't think I will be recommending either.  You on the other hand are free to try it. Smiley Very Happy

EB
EOS 1D, EOS 1D MK IIn, EOS 1D MK III, EOS 1Ds MK III, EOS 1D MK IV and EOS 1DX and many lenses.


@ebiggs1 wrote:

Now, Robert from Boston,

 

Somehow 40+ years tells me penetrating oil and/or a hammer near the front element of a lens is not a good thing.  Maybe that's just me but I really don't think I will be recommending either.  You on the other hand are free to try it. Smiley Very Happy


Well, I hope I never have to. Part of my prevention regime is that I don't attach a filter unless I plan to use it in that photo shoot. Then when I'm done, I take it off and put it away.

 

One potential problem is that if the two sets of threads are composed of different metals (steel and aluminum, for example), it can set up an electrolytic reaction that effectively fuses the two objects together. Good luck getting them apart without resorting to measures that might greatly offend your fastidious self.  Smiley Frustrated

Bob
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

If it is a kit lens with a jammed filter, just buy a new lens.  Buy a better lens, and leave that one be as your "macro" lens.

 

[EDIT]  If it is an extension tube stuck in the camera body, then that is trickier.  You will most likely need to get it professionally removed.  Or, you can try this unproven trick.  Do not use ice.  Ice is wet.

 

Freeze a thick bottom pot, or frying pan.  Remove it from the freezer, and flip it bottom side up.  Place the camera on it so that the camera is face down and resting on the extension tube.  The idea is too cool down the extension tube, but WITHOUT cooling down the camera body.  As the tube cools, try to remove it every couple of minutes.  Hopefully it will shrink enough to loosen up and be removed.

--------------------------------------------------------
"Enjoying photography since 1972."

B from B,

A little testy today there Robert?

"Good luck getting them apart without resorting to measures that might greatly offend your fastidious self."

 

My fastidious self (I don't even know what that means?) has removed more than a few stuck filters.  I did DSLR 101 classes for quite some time.  Believe it or not, I did not use any type oil or hammer.

EB
EOS 1D, EOS 1D MK IIn, EOS 1D MK III, EOS 1Ds MK III, EOS 1D MK IV and EOS 1DX and many lenses.

Waddizzle
Legend
Legend

@chloew wrote:

I have tried just about everything to get a macro filter off of my rebel t3i.. any other suggestions? It has been stuck for quite some time. I just want it off. Not even the rubber band trick will work. Please help!


Are you talking about a lens filter stuck on a lens, or an extension ring stuck on the camera body?

--------------------------------------------------------
"Enjoying photography since 1972."
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