davis.olivia•7d agoMost Upvoted

My trick for removing stuck filter rings without marring the metal

Last week I had a beat up Helios 44-2 with a filter ring that wouldn't budge. I wrapped a rubber band around it and used a pair of pliers - came right off with zero scratches. Has anyone else found a better method for these tight rings?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_robin6d ago

Honestly @jordan_henderson13 the rubber band trick is the only way to go.

ray_sullivan6d ago

Rubber bands are fine until they snap or the filter is really seized up. I've had a rubber band slip and leave sticky residue that was way harder to clean off than a little scuff mark would have been. A good set of filter wrenches with the adjustable jaws and rubber pads has never let me down, even on a stubborn 49mm that had been on a Jupiter-9 for decades. @the_robin, to each their own, but I've seen too many people gouge their lens barrels with pliers even with a rubber band. Plus, if the filter itself is cheap and bent, the rubber band trick just turns it into a twisted mess that still won't come off. Your mileage may vary, but I'll take the dedicated tool every time for the peace of mind.

jordan_henderson136d ago

Used to be one of those guys who swore by the lens spanner wrench for everything, but a rubber band and pliers actually changed my mind after I tried it on a jammed UV filter. The rubber band gives just enough grip without slipping, and you don't have to worry about scratching the metal like you do with a spanner. Tried it on a weird 40.5mm filter once that was stuck on a vintage lens, worked like a charm.