Can't unscrew filter / hood thread

[martin s]

I have several things stuck within each other at once. It's a beautiful Elmar f2.8 with neither the filter nor the hood coming lose. Now the hood (screw in) separated from its threads and I have no clue how to take things apart. I could drop it off at the Leica store, but that's quite a walk, and it's raining, so...

Any ideas? WD40?

martin

 

[JasonC]

Strap wrench or rubber kitchen glove to increase friction.

 

[martin s]

Rubber band, strap wrench, that's what I wanted to hear - I'll give it a try.

thanks, martin

 

[Al Kaplan]

DO NO SPRAY WD-40 on it. You don't want the stuff going all over the place. Spray some into a small container like a bottle cap, then use a small brush to put it arould where the two pieced of metal are touching. It'll flow into the seam by itself. Give it a few minutes to work. Use one of those rubber jar lid grippers to grab hold of the hood.

 

[Oscar Levant]

Cut the filter off with a metal cutting plier. Be done with it.

 

[Bill58]

One more vote for the strap wrench....and get a set of plastic filter wrenches cheap) at your next visit to the camera store. Carry them in your bag.

A little graphite from a lead pencil on the threads will prevent problems in the future too.

 

[Praxis Unitas]

yikes!!

yikes!!

Never used brute force with a precision instrument!!!! I'm shocked by the number of people who are saying to torque this thing off...

If threads are stuck, it could be because of galling (damage to the threads caused by friction), by debris, or by other physical malformation. In any case, one risks destroying the threads on the lens and hood if it is forced off. If the hood is worth preserving, then take it to Leica. If it is not not worth preserving, cut the hood out with wire snips... don't mangle your lens threads!

Never tighten the threads on your filters / hoods more than finger-tight. The threads should have a very fine layer of viscous grease to facilitate turning.

Good luck!

 

[john_s]

I used a bit of rubber sheet successfully. Strangely, sometimes these locked threads respond, not to more force, but gentle force, and moving the grip position to different spots around the perimeter. Also, to a bit of side-to-side force that seems to release pressure on parts of the locked threads. Good luck.

 

[Rob-F]

I used a bit of rubber sheet successfully. Strangely, sometimes these locked threads respond, not to more force, but gentle force, and moving the grip position to different spots around the perimeter. Also, to a bit of side-to-side force that seems to release pressure on parts of the locked threads. Good luck.

Yes! This, finally, is the place to start. I will add the following. Gripping the edges of the filter, especially when gripping tightly, will distort the filter out of round. Not permanently, but for as long as the force is applied. The distortion will jam the filter more tightly into place! Use a gentle grip, with most of the force going towards rotation, not towards gripping it tightly. Grip lightly and try gently to turn it--first from one gripping point, then froam another, and another--going around the circumference. I find that invariably, by using finesse, the filter will sooner or later decide to let go. And when it does, it will have taken almost no force at all to budge it! Play with it absent-mindedly while watching TV. It will give up.

The rubber sheet idea: press the front of the filter against the flat sheet and gently rotate. Don't use the sheet to grip the edges. You can lay the sheet on a table and rest the lens face down on it, and rotate.

No tinsnips, ball pein hammers, or pliers. Do it elegant!

 

[Trius]

Yes, gentle does it. I generally use a rubber gripper, but even a strap wrench is fine if used with finesse.

Good idea to apply a tiny bit of graphite; hadn't thought of that.

 

[FallisPhoto]

I have several things stuck within each other at once. It's a beautiful Elmar f2.8 with neither the filter nor the hood coming lose. Now the hood (screw in) separated from its threads and I have no clue how to take things apart. I could drop it off at the Leica store, but that's quite a walk, and it's raining, so...

Any ideas? WD40?

martin

1. The preferred solution is to use crimping pliers and sacrifice the stuck part. Crimping pliers will reduce the size of whatever is stuck in the threads.
2. Next best is to cut the thing stuck in the threads partially through and then to use regular pliers to fold it in on itself and remove it.
3. Next best solution is to use a rubber strap wrench or other item to improve your grip and force it out. This can damage the threads though, so be aware that you are taking a risk. The idea is to use the minimum possible amount of force -- tease it out, don't force it out.

Edit:
4. Anyone who uses WD-40 on a camera should not be allowed to ever own a camera again.