How To Remove Lens Filter Canon?

Types of Stuck Lens Filters

If you use screw-in lens filters, sooner or later, you may end up with a stuck lens filter that refuses to come off.

There are two types of stuck lens filters. The first is one that is either screwed on too tight or has debris in the threads. The second type is one that has become stuck because of damage, most likely from an impact.

Before you decide on a removal method, carefully inspect the lens filter to determine if it is damaged or not.

Screwed on too tight or debris in the threads

Keep trying, with a light touch. Sometimes I've found that I'm squeezing it.

Damage, most likely from an impact

If the damage was enough to warp the filter rings you might need to get the lens checked...

Warped threads

I'm finding it difficult to remove the UV filter as the threads seem to have been warped with the breakage impact.

I am using a UV filter made by Zeikos on my Canon lens, but I cannot remove this (it has become stuck on the lens). I am worried about forcing it due to the risk to the lens.

My problem was a brand new lens and a brand new filter. Screwing and unscrewing it few times made it less tight.

Light Pressure and Even Grip

• Keep trying, with a light touch. Sometimes I've found that I'm squeezing it.
• Yes, I had it happen with a mist filter once. Tried all kinds of methods without success, but when I tried to turn it with as little pressure as I could, this did the trick.
• I had the same with Hama filter and Tamron lens. I used the palm of my hand to apply even pressure and lots of small wiggles and lots of time. But eventually it came loose.
• Push it into a thick mouse mat on a flat table while trying to unscrew the lens.
• Get a filter wrench, pretty cheap, or my go to is a square piece of rubber that Tupperware used to give away at parties for opening jar lids. I sit it on a flat surface, sit the lens on top, pressure down and unscrew.

Hi, yes, that can be a pain. If the hairdryer does not work, try setting the lens filter-down on the counter on top of one of those floppy rubber grippy jar openers. Turn the lens (in the correct direction) and see if that will do it.

This puts even pressure on the filter ring rather than pressure on just 2 places like if you were trying it with your hand. It keeps it from binding worse.

Hi, if the hair drier doesn't help, try this: put the lens upside down on a rubber cutting board (or any rubber flat surface), this will give you good and even grip/traction on all filter surface. Then try to rotate in the correct direction.

One I have found useful combines that use of a rubber band and a rubber pad often used to help twist off jar lids. Put the rubber band on the lens barrel itself to get a grip with one hand, and put the pad on the other hand to gently grasp the filter with the palm of the other hand. Twist gently. It's worked every time for me.

Rubber Band and Rubber Surface

1. If you can pick up a filter wrench that generally works well.
2. In a pinch, I find I can get enough traction by putting a rubber band around the filter then unscrewing the filter using the rubber band as a grip.
3. This works especially well if you can slightly overhang the rubber band over the grip ridges on the filter ring.
4. Wrap a rubber, not braided, phone charging cable around the filter, not the lens, and pinch the cables together where the two ends of the cable meet so that the pressure of the cable is evenly distributed around the filter.
5. It should look like a lasso around the filter. Then using a slow controlled motion, twist it off. Remember lefty loosey (counter-clockwise).

The rubberised material will provide grip, similar to the rubber band but it is much more sturdy.

Rubber round jar opener works great as well. After struggling with that a few times I now spend a little more on the filter to have grip on filter itself "top & side knurling. Brass seems to come off easier as well.

Same a opening the lid on a glass of jam. I learned to use a towel on top of the lid and glass, that works to. Just put the cloth over and unscrew.

I've used a straight-bladed knife to do the trick. Place the blade across the filter at the middle - the widest point. It should grip very well, sitting in the edges around the edge of the filter. Then, applying a bit of pressure and turning has loosened it easily. Be careful not to cut yourself!

Trick I've used for the last 40 or so years... sole of your shoe! Works like number 6 above and you don't have to go searching or remember to bring one of the above items. Just don't go barefoot!

Filter Wrenches

• Try a filter wrench. If that doesn't work you might have to send it in.
• Filter wrench is the best way, I tried every technique and thought mine was a goner since I dropped the lens.
• You'll need a filter wrench. They are relatively inexpensive to purchase.
• You'll need get one that is the correct size.
• Also, most camera shops would probably help you remove it without charge.

They also sell "filter wrenches" at B&H, Adorama, etc. They are cheap. I need to get one of those myself.

I ended up needing to use two filter wrenches, one on the lens, and one on the filter. I had to add clamps to each filter wrench so both could stay taught at the same time. Then I worked at the thing for a good half hour and finally the filter came free.

Just got a set from Amazon and they worked perfectly.

Local camera store prob has someone who's done thousands of them.

I got a rubber filter wrench, and at first, it wouldn't budge.

Get a set of filter wrenches and don't screw the filter on so tight next time.

Heat and Cold Methods

Heat

A little heat will loosen the filter right up. I recommend using a hot hair dryer and heat the filter up then unscrew.

Very hot water

You can use a flat pan with a thin layer of very hot water, dip the filter in (take care not to wet the lens) then unscrew. Remember to use a rag or gloves to keep from being burned.

Direct sunlight

I put the lens in direct sunlight (on it's side) for 40 mins so the metal would expand. I found this to be the safest way to get the metal to expand.

Compressed air

On the same lines of the ice trick, use a can of compressed air turned upside down. The frozen coolant will act to contract the metal ring. Use a rubber band or jar opener to grip the cold ring.

Freezer

I placed the cap on a cold, clean surface of the icemaker in my freezer for about 15 seconds--then 15 seconds more--and it finally came right off.

Very hot water and a lens? Very bad idea.

Still took some effort after but it came off after 1 minute of trying again.

Broken or Warped Filter Rings

1. If Adam Savage (the guy in the video) and his band saw is not available, you could also use a needle file or hacksaw to create a couple of notches in the front of the filter ring.
2. Once you've cut a couple of notches in the filter ring, you can use a steel rule to twist it off.
3. If the filter ring is too distorted to twist it off with the metal rule, you're going to need to remove as much of the filter glass as you can and then peel it off with a pair of (locking) needle-nose pliers.
4. It may be easier if you cut all the way through the filter ring.
5. Yes, that will nick the lens' filter threads. But if they are already warped they're going to need to be replaced anyhow.

When using a file, hacksaw, needle-nose pliers, etc. on the filter ring, it's not a bad idea to place a soft cloth over the front element of the lens to minimize the risk of scratching it.

I used a channel lock to grip the filter and spin it off. Threw it into the trash. Malformed the ring from appling pressure.

I had this issue as well when I dropped my L-series. Cracked the polaroid filter. I used a jar lid wrench to get it off (very carefully). The wrench has points that grip lids, so it bit into the filter ring.

If the lens hit something hard enough to warp the filter ring, the front element of the lens and filter threads are the least of your worries. The internal lens alignment needs to be checked.

Filter Threads and Tightening

• About once every three months if you have a spare old toothbrush you're ready to recycle one way to do it is to lightly scrub around any used lens filter's threads, and (not scrubbing the lens with such) the threading around the lens that normally accepts the filter.
• Can remove an amazing amount of dust/metal grindings from the lens & filter.
• It might be better to use an unused child's toothbrush. No residues from past brushings to clog the threads and get on the filters or lenses.
• Put the filter over the lens thread and rotate the filter a bit in the oposite direction until it completely "fits" on the lens thread.
• Then rotate the filter in the right direction, trying to never overtighten it.

Consider buying filters made from brass instead of aluminum is the best prevention method in my experience. Also remember about brass step up rings or your fancy brass filter will get stuck just like before if you put it on a rubbish aluminum ring.

The reason is because the multicoated filters are usually hard to clean, but deliver better image with less internal reflections (especially noticeable at night scenes with light spots on the frame, etc).

Thank you for the tips. I did get it out and screwing and unscrewing them made them a bit loose. So now it works without getting stuck. It was just an issue with brand new equipment. Needed to "wear them in".