Tutorial: Removing a Stuck Lens Filter

Ahhh...the perils of dropping that expensive lens! Unfortunately, accidents do happen as I've recently learned. Luckily I had a Skylight Filter on my lens so the only damage was to the filter rim.
Apparently, the bent area of the filter expanded the rim making it nearly impossible to remove. After scouring the web for ideas on how to remove the filter, I had no success trying the methods mentioned. So, I decided to jump right in and go for the glory with a hacksaw! Yes, you read that right - a hacksaw!

This is how I removed the stuck filter:

• I made a small cut with your average hacksaw down to the glass on opposite sides of the filter rim making sure that one of the notches was near the area of damage.


• After the notches were cut, I used the blade, still inserted in the notches, to apply pressure equally to turn the filter.


• The end result: an un-stuck filter. Be sure you blow off all the metal shavings from the lens prior to using it. I use an air puffer from a generic lens cleaning kit.

Please note that this was my last resort prior to taking the lense in to a repair shop. The other methods I tried were:

• Rubber bands - apply one to the lens, the other to the filter; used as a substitute for filter wrenches. Hold the lens in place while turning the rubber band on the lens filter.
• Rubber pad - material you find at your local Walmart, etc. that you use as a shelf or drawer liner. Use the material to grip the lens filter and turn.
• Jar opener w/ rubber interior - used to turn the lense filter.
• Freezer - cold temperatures make metals contract and will sometimes contract enough so that the threads of the filter and lens line back up enough for you to remove the filter.

Never, ever, ever under any circumstances use WD40 to attempt to loosen a stuck filter. The evidence of WD40 will remain evident long after the lens filter has been removed. If you've tried all these methods but are a little squeemish about attempting the hack-saw method, any of your local camera shops should be able to remove it for minimal charge.

My Faith in Humanity Has Been Restored

My 10 y/o was heartbroken when she realized that she'd left her cell-phone in the restroom at our local Walmart. When I made the decision to purchase the phone for her I accepted the fact that the chances were very high that it would eventually be lost or broken. But due to our situation as survivors of domestic violence, I felt the necessity of her having a phone for emergencies far outweighed the risks of a loss. Never-the-less, I hurt for her and had a difficult time falling asleep because even though we returned to Walmart and inquired at the Customer Service Desk, the phone was gone. The more I thought about it the angrier I became. Even though I suspended the service, it's an AT&T phone so anyone with a SIMS card that works on the AT&T network had themselves a brand new shiny Lavender Motorola V3 and my child has nothing. Whatever happened to "do the right thing?" I always turned in items if I discovered them that didn't belong to me. Why doesn't anyone do that anymore? Have our morals gone spiraling out of control to the point that we no longer know how to do the right thing? Eventually I fell asleep and was awakened this morning at 6:50 by the local Walmart letting me know that someone had turned in Anna's phone afterall. It felt like a major cloud over my head had been blown away. My faith in humanity has truly been restored.

Here are some things that I've learned:

• If you are going to purchase a cell phone for a 10 y/o be prepared for a loss whether it becomes lost, stolen, or broken.
• BUY INSURANCE - I know that paying a monthly fee sounds like a lot of money but try buying a new phone at retail price because your contract isn't up.
• Have a back-up plan in case it does result in a loss (i.e. a prepaid phone or a used eBay phone).
• Establish some rules with the child about when they are allowed to take the phone outside of the home to reduce the chances of it becoming displaced.
• Always make an entry in your contacts/phone book labeled HOME with the correct home phone number so that if the phone is found, someone will be able to notify you that they've found your phone.