Filter stuck on lens - any good tips?

Someone screwed the Tiffen UV-filter off my 24-70 lens, and forced it back wrong on the thread. Now it is stuck completely. No effort to loosen it helped so far, - although the shop personnel managed to at least straighten it; but I fear that achievement may even have damaged the thread further.
The loop tool could not pull it off.

I've warmed up the lens in the sun, and put it's front on alu-covered ice to cool and shrink the filter ring, but to no avail.

A good tip, anyone?
Thanks in advance!

Bart

Old subject. Do a search...

If you take hold of the filter at only two or three points you're just adding to the friction that you're trying to overcome. There are two options:

1. Place it face down on a rubber sheet and gently twist while applying only a small amount of down force. Friction on that rubber sheet is your friend. If you don't have something suitable go to an upscale cookware store and see what they have in silicone mats like this:
http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-648766/Cranberry-Silicone-Grid-Potholder
When you're done with the lens use it in the kitchen.

2. Get one of these in the correct size, they work GREAT especially if the filter is stuck on so hard that option #1 doesn't work:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=filter+wrench&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=10154984821071071898&sa=X&ei=4R-jTcqOGcjkiALboZyRAw&ved=0CEoQ8gIwBQ#

The only possible downside to #2 is that it can work too well and take the lens apart if the filter jam is stronger than the lens construction (a definite risk with zoom lenses). You should apply counter-torque at a very nearby point on the lens barrel instead of further down towards the mount.

If a loop tool can't get it off, I'd probably resort to some careful use of a hacksaw. (It's only a Tiffen filter...)

You might remove it using a rubber glove if you can spread the pressure evenly around the filter
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/8189967@N04/

this has happened to me a couple of times, and i have solved it by doing one thing, and one thing only, i put that lens in the freezer for 5-10 minutes, pull it out and they always come off with no effort at all.

That is garbage advice. A filter has an external thread, the lens thread is internal. See where I am going? Cool the lens with filter attached, it will be harder to remove, warm it up...well...

Flip your mouse pad over, press the filter down on the rubber pad, twist. Worked for me!

good for you big guy, . . . the outer rim of the filter that is screwed into the lens shrinks enough for it to be removed without issue, works every time, i would never apply heat to something so expensive, now that is garbage advise

Actually, it makes more sense than warming it. Since the filter is more likely to "shrink" than the lens, if put in a cold place, the filter with external threads will shrink inside the lens internal threads and should loosen

PMJD42 said:

That is garbage advice. A filter has an external thread, the lens thread is internal. See where I am going? Cool the lens with filter attached, it will be harder to remove, warm it up...well...

Click to expand...

It seems more likely that the filter would shrink before the lens, since the lens is a bigger heat sink and has more thermal mass. Just cool the combo for a short time, probably with the filter resting on a cold surface. (Could wrap the lens in something as well to keep it from cooling as quickly).

When all else fails, try an oil filter removal tool from your local mechanic. It ain't pretty, but it can work. After that, the hacksaw - saw straight across the filter down to the glass (this wll make two cuts on the metal ring of the filter); then place a straight-edge in the groove (the hacksaw blade works nicely), then turn counterclockwise.
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pjs
RIP Kodachrome 1935-2010

PMJD42 said:

That is garbage advice. A filter has an external thread, the lens thread is internal. See where I am going? Cool the lens with filter attached, it will be harder to remove, warm it up...well...

Click to expand...

Think it through. Which has the least(thinest metal? That is the one most likely to shrink more.
Cooling it should help.
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See my plan (in my profile) for what I shoot with. See my gallery for images I find amusing.

I can confirm that the method with cooling works, perhaps more dramatic (faster) cooling may be needed.

I removed a stuck filter ring from my 12-24mm by touching it to a cold pack that came right out of a -80°C freezer in the lab. I only touched it for about 5 seconds before quickly and easily removing the ring (with gloves!).
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Atigun valley, a place north in Alaska