How I fix lenses that won't twist open

I had an old SLR lens that was jammed shut. Tried all the usual tricks but it stayed stuck. Someone told me to wrap a thick rubber band around the ring for better grip. It gave me the extra hold to turn it open without hurting the lens. What do you do when you face a tight lens ring?

3 comments

3 Comments

seanc7318h ago

Friend tried your lighter fluid trick, stripped the threads completely.

the_keith20h ago

Wait, you just went for it on an old SLR lens? That's wild. Those things can be so fragile, and forcing the ring feels like asking for a cracked element. I'd be sweating bullets. My first move is always a tiny bit of lighter fluid on the seam, let it creep in for a day, then try with a rubber jar opener. Straight torque seems like a last resort. You got lucky.

beth14716h ago

Try pairing that lighter fluid with a rubber jar opener, makes the grip way better without risking thread damage.