Polarizer - stuck

[Eric Virkler]

I've have a circular polarizer on my Canon 18-55 and it's stuck on. Nothing I've tried to remove it seems to work. (it is threaded correctly) Any suggestions?

Eric Virkler
Faces of Nature Photography
www.ericjvirkler.com

[John Hawkins]

Have you tried a filter wrench? they are pretty inexpensive and work like a charm.
John

[Jason Franke]

If you need it off and don't have a filter wrench, a flexible wire with soft insulation may work in a pinch (I've used a USB cable in such situations).

Wrap the bight of a wire around the filter, pinch the to standing ends tight and use them as a lever to turn the filter loose.

Obviously it goes without saying that you might not want to use a wire that's very important.

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

Like most I encounter this often.

Try putting a thick rubberband around the inner ring then turn by hand, has not failed me yet.

Best of luck.

[Charles Glatzer]

The rubber band works well.

Try laying it across the top of the filter, pushing the palm of your hand flat on top of the filter when trying to spin it off, squeezing it hard from the sides can oval the filter ever so slightly making it difficult to unscrew.

Chas

[Eric Virkler]

Rubber band trick worked great. Thank you very much. I'll definitely keep one in my bag now.

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

Great news Eric, it can be an awful feeling thinking that you are stuck with one on forever.:p

[Ed Cordes]

With a polarizer you have to be careful. I have had a Hoya polarizer come apart and had to reassemble the two parts in the field - actually in the car while Gail drove. This is a pain in the butt!

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

With a polarizer you have to be careful. I have had a Hoya polarizer come apart and had to reassemble the two parts in the field - actually in the car while Gail drove. This is a pain in the butt!

I was using my $90 Hoya CPL and when turning it noticed no difference, the lens had simply fallen out where I still don't know.

[Robert Amoruso]

Rubber can top opener placed flat on the counter. Invert camera and place filter/lens on the rubber, press down on camera and twist. Chas has it right, ovalizing the filter makes it difficult to get off.

[Judy Howle]

With a polarizer you have to be careful. I have had a Hoya polarizer come apart and had to reassemble the two parts in the field - actually in the car while Gail drove. This is a pain in the butt!

I attended a nature photography workshop and the presenter said to always turn a polarizer in the same direction you put on the filter and it won't come apart. I thought this was a good tip.