Removing stuck filters or step up adapter

[Jerry Bodine]

Here is a solution that will most likely work well on your adapter or filters. Years ago I read in my Leica Manual that a stuck filter can be removed easily by pinching the filter's rim between your thumb and forefinger at one location on its circumference and turning the rim. The reason being that the usual method of placing the thumb on one side and the forefinger on the opposite side and squeezing causes the rim to become ovalized (allowed by the small gap between the filter and its rim), thus creating friction in the threads at the points where the rim's diameter tries to increase, and that friction is resisting the applied torque. I've found that this works very well.

[E. von Hoegh]

Here is a solution that will most likely work well on your adapter or filters. Years ago I read in my Leica Manual that a stuck filter can be removed easily by pinching the filter's rim between your thumb and forefinger at one location on its circumference and turning the rim. The reason being that the usual method of placing the thumb on one side and the forefinger on the opposite side and squeezing causes the rim to become ovalized (allowed by the small gap between the filter and its rim), thus creating friction in the threads at the points where the rim's diameter tries to increase, and that friction is resisting the applied torque. I've found that this works very well.

A similar solution is pressing your palm against the front of the ring and turning.

[Brian Ellis]

A similar solution is pressing your palm against the front of the ring and turning.

I was typing the same suggestion when I saw yours. I've seen and used a lot of different methods, pushing the lens/filter hard against the palm of your hand and turning is the best and easiest I've found. You have to clean the filter afterwards but that's a small price to pay for getting it off the lens.

[Joseph Dickerson]

Often, the reason for the filter/adapter becoming stuck is that it and the lens barrel will expand/contract at differing rates with temperature changes. I've found that just wrapping my hand around them both will warm them both and the ring/filter will screw right off.

Obviously, this works only for temperature related issue, but it does work well on chilly mornings.

JD

[E. von Hoegh]

Often, the reason for the filter/adapter becoming stuck is that it and the lens barrel will expand/contract at differing rates with temperature changes. I've found that just wrapping my hand around them both will warm them both and the ring/filter will screw right off.

Obviously, this works only for temperature related issue, but it does work well on chilly mornings.

JD

And, it works only if the lens barrel and filter mount are of differing thermal expansion coefficients.
A wee bit of lube on the threads makes a huge difference.