Stuck Lens Filter Removal Tool
Recently the little woman dropped her Nikon D7000 while it was safely (or so we thought) stored in it’s case. It wasn’t a hard fall so she wasn’t concerned in the least. Unfortunately later that day when she was removing the Nikon D7000 from it’s case she discovered that the protective lens filter was damaged and the glass was loose inside. While disappointed at the loss of a $90 77mm B&W filter she was grateful the Nikon AF-S Nikkor DX 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens was not damaged. Upon attempting to replace the filter a bigger issue was revealed. The protection filter had become stuck to the $1000 Nikon AF-S Nikkor DX 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens. I assured her it was no big deal and I could get it off pretty easy. I was wrong. While the filter did not appear dented or out of shape it would not budge from the lens. I decided to do what anyone else would do. I searched the internet. That search lead me to a few conclusions. The first is a stuck lens filter happens quite often and the second always keep a lens hood on your lens while in a case. The lens hood will protect the lens and filter. Anyhow most search results stated that if the filter did not come off with one of those little rubber squares used for jar openers the filter would need to be cut off. Well the rubber jar opener did not work and I was not committed to cutting the filter off.
Being a pretty ingenious guy I had an idea for a tool that could repair the filter if it was out of round as well has help remove a stuck filter. After a bit more searching I learned that someone already made such a tool. Amazon was selling the Pro Lens Vise Tool Repair Repairing Filter Ring Adjustment Stainless Steel DC317. It’s essentially an inverted vise meant to reshape a lens filter as well as be a stuck lens filter tool.
- Professional Lens Vise for repairing Lenses
- Professional precision manufacture for top quality and precise adjustments
- Double sided: one side for smaller lenses, other for larger.
- Diameter for large filter ring: about 49mm.
- Enable you to remedy your dented lenses(remedy lens’ filter threads).
I promptly ordered the tool. While ordering the lens vice tool I noticed Amazon was offering all sorts of rubber gizmo’s for removing stuck lens filters. All these gizmo’s were relatively inexpensive but I did not believe any would do the trick. That got me thinking. I recalled seeing a jar opener with multiple rubber lined holes that worked along the same principal as a nut cracker. So a little poking around at Amazon confirmed my memory. The Evriholder EasiTwist Jar Opener was exactly what I was thinking of.
The Evriholder EasiTwist Jar Opener – Stuck Lens Filter Removal Tool has 4 rubber lined holes. Each hole is two side for a total 8 size possibilities. At $6.52 it was minimum risk so I ordered one. Amazon prime had my new Stuck Lens Filter Removal Tool in my hands one day later. Upon receiving the tool and removing it from the package I knew I had a winner. I placed the Stuck Lens Filter Removal Tool over the filter, squeezed, twisted and the filter came right off. Never even got to try the Pro Lens Vise Tool.
A few after thoughts. While Im glad an inexpensive tool solved the problem I am still out the cost of the filter. I have since started carrying my camera with the lens hood in place. There is a drawback though. The length of the lens hood has caused some fit issues with my camera bag. I plan on purchasing a few extra lens hoods then trimming them down to 1/2″ beyond the lens face.
Below is a trimmed rendition
As you can see the trimmed lens hood will still protect the lens and lens filter but it will require less real estate in my camera bag.
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