Need help with unscrewing lens

[newbie2004]

I tried taking some sample macro shots using the new 3T lens I received today. All went fine, until I tried unscrewing the 3T lens from the lens attached to the camera. I must have screwed it tightly, or tightened the lens unknowingly by turning the 3T lens in the wrong direction.. The 3T lens will not budge and is tightly attached to the camera lens.

I don't want to apply too much force to unscrew as it may damage the lens attached to the camera. Any suggestions how to unscrew the 3T close up lens?

BTW, which way do I turn the 3T lens to unscrew? Is it clockwise or anti clockwise?

 

[mrbwa1]

newbie,

Filters/close up lenses should loosen counter clockwise. I have overtightened a few times, and have had luck with either a large pair of pliers or even an oil filter wrenck from a car and some sort of rubber padding. Do not use a lot of force, just kinda wiggle it off. Another thing you can try withing reasonable limits is changing the temperature (maybe like warm outside to cool inside (don't put the cam in the freezer or anything).

Thanks,
Brian D.
http://picasaweb.google.com/mrbwa1

 

[Vandyu]

I'd suggest you take it to a professional photo shop, not a big box store or one with teenagers who think they can fix anything.

Find a real pro who has a filter wrench or another trick up his sleeve. Or buy your own wrench. Or be sure you are turning in the right direction and try a rubber grip used to open jars with from a houseware dept.

I've had this happen with a filter attaching too tightly to a lens. So, it happens.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=filter+wrench&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

 

[newbie2004]

Thanks for your suggestions. I will try to find a wrench for this purpose. I may have turned it clockwise causing it to over tighten, when I meant to loosen the filter.

 

[erichlund]

If you have a decently thick rubber band that fits tightly around the filter, that would help.

Also, take the lens off the camera and put the back cover on the lens. This will help as well, because you can get a more proper angle. You want to try and rotate the filter without any off angle torque. The off angle torque will just work against the friction of the threads and make it more difficult.

If you have some lens cleaning solution, you could try using it to penetrate and lubricate the threads. I wouldn't use more than a couple of drops, spread around the joint of the lens and filter. DON'T use fluids like WD-40. I don't think that last was necessary, but just in case...

Clean up any fluid after the lens and filter come apart.
--
Cheers,
Eric

 

[sonyfan05]

If you have some lens cleaning solution, you could try using it to
penetrate and lubricate the threads. I wouldn't use more than a
couple of drops, spread around the joint of the lens and filter.

This just "might" do something for you. I have had a similar situation a while back in that two of my filters were stuck together and I could not unscrew them. Though it was not attached to my lens or my camera I was able to run it under some water and by doing this it just unscrewed flawlessly as though it had never been stuck.

Now I am not telling you to run water on your lens/camera!!! But as the pp suggested just a few drops of cleaning solution along the threads just might be enough to penetrate.

Good Luck,
Donna

 

[eatin_rice]

good advice from everyone. i would try putting the lens in the fridge for a little bit. once it got cold, bring it back out into the warmer air and then try to separate. i tighted a filter on my lens too tight once and did the fridge bit, came right off.

good luck.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/idp05/

 

[newbie2004]

Thanks everyone for your help. I managed to unscrew the filter by holding it with a cloth to get a better grip, and made sure I turned it anti clockwise. Lesson learnt.. I am not going to turn the filter tightly on top of the lens.