Misthreaded 67mm filter on DA 16-45 ...

I carelessly misthreaded a 67mm filter on my new DA 16-45. Didn't realize it

until I tried to take it off. I can't seem to get it off by turning it by hand.

 

Can anyone recommend another method? Possibly like a "rubber rachet" or

something? Taking all input, don't want to damage the lens.

 

I could care less about the cheap, Chinese-made filter at this point (it said

"JAPAN" on it, until I got it and then it said "JAPAN" with "made in China" much

smaller). I might just carefully break the filter (it cost $40) and then I could

easily manipulate its frame to get it off. But I'd rather not do that,

especially since it's very close to the lens itself.

I have used a rubber strap wrench very carefully on a stuck filter. If you search stuck filter here on photo.net you will find quite a few threads with suggestions.

Rubber gloves worked for me a couple of times.

Possibly this, and you'd have to be careful.. Place a slotted screwdriver into the knurling and tap very lightly counter-clockwise with a hammer. The 'knock' might be just enough to get it free so you can remove it by hand.

 

If the filter has no knurling, then I think the rubber glove/ rubber strap (similar to an oil filter wrench) may work.

Tom -- it has the knurling, but I dare not try a screwdriver/hammer. I already tried a fine flat-head screwdriver and it wouldn't come loose with just my own pressure.

 

I think the rubber gloves are a "first, best attempt." If not, then I'll go for a rubber strap. In fact, the "oil filter wrench" was exactly the similar tool I was visualizing.

Tape the filter to the front of another lens (or cylindrical object with duct tape. Make sure the tape is wound very tight. Twist. Remove tape. Be careful next time - once mis-threaded it'll very easily mis-thread again.

Be careful regarding banging on it- especially a cheap filter frame may dent, then it might be a really bad problem to remove.

Perhaps one of those rubber glass jar lid removers?

Try using soapy water as a lubricant. Mix liquid dishwashing soap in a 50% / 50% mix with water. Hold the lens filter-down so that any excess fluid runs toward the filter and does not flow back into the lens. Dip a toothpick or similar object into the soapy water and run a drop of water into the seam between the lens and the filter. You may have to repeat this a few times, and may need to let the lens stand for a few minutes. This should not be a problem as long as the liquid flows away from the lens and toward the filter. The filter will likely unscrew with little effort.

Take a small glass microwave cooking dish and put approximately 1/8 inch of water in it and put it in your freezer long enough to get it cold, but not to freeze it. Insert the lens into the water, filter DOWN and let it set for a minute or two to allow the metal frame to contract due to the lack of heat from the water being applied to it. Using rubber gloves or a rubber jar opener, unscrew the filter. The differential in the temperature should be enough to allow you to easily unscrew the filter.

This is something that was mentioned in another thread a few days ago....

Remove lens from camera, turn your mouse mat upsidedown, place lens filter down onto mouse mat, apply some (but not excessive) downward pressure and unscrew. This can also be done using the bottom of a flip flop as someone here found!

Pete

You guys aren't going to believe this.

 

I tried everything I had rubber in the house. It didn't budge. I was just about to order one of those filter wrenches when I decided to so something, at first, I thought was "stupid."

 

It turned out it wasn't as stupid as I thought.

 

I merely took a flat head screwdriver and jimmy'd it on the side that was least threaded/screwed in. Pop! It came off on the 3rd try. Why?

 

It was barely threaded in. I don't know why I didn't notice that before. It wouldn't budge trying to unscrew it, but it easily "popped off" once I jimmy'd it. And the threads are completely intact, so it went back on easily (and correctly).

 

I guess the extreme angle of the threading difference finally made me realize that all I needed to do was jimmy it. And I was right. Thanx for all the responses here, all good info! Turned out to be easier than I thought.