How to remove the polarizing filter from the lens. What to do with a jammed filter? Precautions, or how to avoid blocking the system

There is almost always a filter on my lenses. Sometimes it becomes necessary to remove such a filter, for example, to replace it with. And here you can face the problem that the filter is tightly jammed in the front thread of the lens. There are many proposals on the net to solve this problem, but I use my own method.

The method is very, very simple.

To unscrew a jammed light filter, just place the lens with such a filter in the refrigerator, preferably in the freezer. After 5 minutes, remove the lens from the refrigerator and unscrew the filter with a slight movement.

Usually, all good and even not very good light filters are based on a metal black edging, part of which is the filter thread. At the same time, a lot of modern lenses have a plastic thread for the front light filter. Recently, in my lens reviews, I have definitely indicated what type of thread the lens uses. Due to the fact that metals decrease in their physical size with decreasing temperature (thermal expansion), the following happens - the filter ring becomes a few microns in diameter narrower, which is enough to "rip" the filter from its place and unscrew it painlessly.

This method works slightly less well with lenses that use metal filter threads. But, due to the fact that the filter and the lens have different metals or alloys in their basis, they expand in different ways when the temperature changes, which sometimes also makes it easier to detach the filter from the lens.

The disadvantage of this method is the need to use a refrigerator (preferably a freezer) and condensatethat appears on the lens after such manipulation. According to the instructions for most lenses (and also according to my recommendations), after the filter has been removed from the "cooled" lens, the lens itself should be left in the case for 45 minutes for it to return to normal. My experience shows that nothing bad happens to the lens from hypothermia, especially since I often.

The method can be modified, for example, try to cool only the filter.

Has helped me out more than once this method, even in cases where the light filter has been damaged (bent or initially screwed in with a beveled thread). At the same time, the methods of removing the filter that I have come across on the net, for example, shooting the filter using car clips / clips, did not give the desired result, or damaged the lens. Several times, along with the car locks, I unscrewed the front of the lens barrel or the front lens.

In the comments, share your experience on what to do when the filter is jammed.

How to remove the lens?

The lens is removed from a DSLR for several reasons, for example, when it needs to be replaced or packaged for transportation. This procedure should be carried out in a certain order, and non-observance of safety rules can be fraught with damage to the camera or the lens itself.

How to remove a lens from a Canon

Let's take a look at lens removal using a camera with a bayonet mount like the Canon 400D. When removing the lens of an SLR camera, one simple rule should be remembered - the body of the camera cannot be left open for a long time without a lens or a proprietary cap. Since the ingress of dust or liquid may damage the mirror, curtain or matrix.

Removing the lens:

This manual is suitable for both Canon and Sigma and Tamron lenses, provided the lens mount is compatible with Canon. When using adapter rings to use a Nikon or Mamiya compatible mount, this instruction will allow you to remove the lens along with the adapter ring. The use of lenses with a mount other than Canon is possible only with an adapter attached to the lens.

The main advantage of interchangeable lens cameras over compact cameras - this, as the discerning reader has already guessed, the ability to change lenses. By itself, changing the lens is a simple matter and briefly covered in the instructions for any camera. Nevertheless, there are a number of nuances that are not written in the instructions, but which you should take into account if you want to learn how to change lenses quickly, confidently and with minimal risk to photographic equipment.

The lens should be changed as quickly as possible. And not only because of the fear of missing a spectacular shot, fiddling with technology, but also because of the unwillingness to leave the camera sensor without dust protection for a long time. Dust that can settle on the sensor is our main enemy when changing lenses, and therefore, when changing optics in the field, you should minimize the time during which the camera mount is open to all winds. Of course, a small amount of dust still gets into the camera, even with the most careful attitude to it, and sooner or later the sensor will have to be cleaned, but our task is to postpone this event as much as possible.

There are many ways to change lenses, and you are free to choose the one that suits you best. I bring to your attention detailed description procedure that I use myself. The advantage of this method is that in the process of changing the lens, the camera bayonet remains open for no more than a couple of seconds, which is very valuable if you are changing lenses not in the cleanest environment. The described method can be used when the camera is hanging on a neck strap or fixed on a tripod. This is important because both hands will be occupied with the lenses, and you will simply have nothing to hold the camera on. Methods that involve holding the camera in one hand while the other changes lenses are bad because while you hide the lens you just removed in your bag, take out a new lens and attach it to the camera, it takes a lot of time during which the camera remains without a lens. The front and rear lens caps also require attention and are more comfortable to operate with two hands. Some photographers, however, manage to hold two lenses in one hand, but this, in my opinion, is unsafe and difficult to accomplish with large lenses.

A few words about the interchangeable lens bag. A bag should provide quick access to its contents, which is why I prefer belt or shoulder bags over photo backpacks. Also, lenses can be placed on the belt in individual cases.

Before replacing the lens, understand which direction to rotate the lens when removing and installing. Information on this can be found in the instruction manual for the camera. For example, Canon has a right mount, while Nikon has a left mount. Thus, while Canon's lenses are twisted clockwise (when viewed from the side of the lens), and unscrewed counterclockwise, in full accordance with the gimbal rule, Nikon's is the opposite. Likewise, the rear covers must be removed and put on, taking into account the peculiarities of the bayonet.

So, let's say that you need to replace lens A with lens B. The whole procedure can be roughly divided into fourteen steps:

That's all! You have changed the lens yourself!

The given algorithm may seem complicated at first, but with experience you will learn how to perform this routine operation quickly and accurately. Practice in a relaxed environment, practicing each step and bringing the entire lens change procedure to automaticity. Then start increasing your speed and over time you will learn to change lenses in seconds. I will allow myself a few more comments.

In the second point, I advise you to turn off the camera, since this is required by all the instructions for the cameras. The sensor is believed to generate a mild static charge that can attract dust. I'm not sure if this is really so, especially since voltage is applied to the sensor of a SLR camera only during exposure or in Live View, but it's better not to risk it in vain. However, I repeatedly forgot to turn off the camera before changing the lens, and this did not have any fatal consequences.

Personally, I feel more comfortable when, in step 6, my left hand supports lens B from below. Many, on the other hand, will find it more convenient to grab it from above. Try both methods and decide which one feels more natural to you. The grip you choose will affect how you remove the lens from the bag in step 4.

The lens release button in step 7 can, if desired, be pressed with the finger of your left hand holding lens B.

If both lenses fit the same size front caps, instead of removing lens cap A from the bag in step 3, you can simply move the cap from lens B to lens A between steps 5 and 6.

With proper dexterity, you can not hide the back cover in the bag, as I do in step 5, but put it in your left hand, so that your hand simultaneously holds the lens and the cover removed from it.

If you often have to take pictures in a hurry, then you can try to do without the front covers altogether. I am not a supporter of this approach, but it will allow you to gain a few seconds in points 3 and 13. If you do not use front caps, then all lenses must be equipped with protective filters.

It is highly undesirable to discard the rear covers, since the bayonet part of the lens unprotected by the cover will collect dust in the bag, which will then all end up in the camera.

If you use lens hoods, the entire procedure is complicated by the need to remove and reattach lens hoods. The radical solution here would be to get a bag in which the lenses would fit together with the hoods in the working position. This not only saves you a lot of fiddling with hoods, but also allows you to forget about the front caps, since the hood itself protects the front lens quite well.

Thanks for attention!

Vasily A.

Post scriptum

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With the advent digital photography and a wide range of photographic equipment, not only professionals, but also amateurs began to create real masterpieces.

To help photographers, manufacturers produce a huge number of accessories - lenses, filters, holders and others. Sometimes it is difficult not only for a beginner, but also for an expert to figure out what to choose, how to use, in what situation to use this or that option.

Consider such an important and necessary element of the camera as a protective filter, learn how to deal with the diameter and choose the right one, and also learn how to remove them in cases where they strongly "resist" this due to jamming or damage.

Lens filters are special glass attachments that perform specific functions. So, light models help to make beautiful shots, adjust to lighting, and protective ones protect the lens from mechanical damage.

Depending on the purpose of the filter, it is selected and used individually in each specific situation.

If a beginner photographer can still do without light filters, then no protective one. It can be easily recognized by the protector marking. This is the most important and necessary element that will extend the life of your equipment and save the lens from all sorts of troubles.

The main task of the device is to protect the objective lens from scratches, damage, fingerprints, moisture ingress. All photographers, especially professional ones, know that even with careful handling of the camera, situations are inevitable when in a crowd the equipment is touched by hands, sometimes it has to be left on a hard surface, for example, a table or a bar counter, and even during operation, the lens can be damaged even about the bag.

When traveling or during nature filming, water droplets may fall, for example from the sea. In this case protective filter with a diameter of 77 mm or anyone else will take the hit.

The diameter of the filter itself is indicated directly on it, as well as on the packaging of the device. If you are planning to purchase over the Internet, specialized sites have the ability to select devices based on certain characteristics. This will significantly reduce the time it takes to find a device of the required diameter.

When buying small filters, it is important to make sure that not only the diameter but also the pitch fits the lens lens filter threads, since in addition to the standard 0.75 mm, sometimes 0.5 mm is also found.

If you could not find a device of the required diameter, you can buy a larger diameter and a special adapter ring. This is especially convenient when you have several interchangeable lenses, since it is enough to buy attachments only for the largest lenses, and use the rest through an adapter.

It is worth remembering that the larger the diameter of the element, the more expensive it is, since expensive optical glass is used for manufacturing, and the higher the material consumption, the higher the cost of the device.

The problem of a jammed filter is familiar to most photographers. If the lens does not want to part with the filter, then, most likely, the reason lies in the following:

the element has become attached, especially this often happens with an aluminum frame,
when trying to remove it skewed,
the device was put on past the thread,
mechanical damage.

Most often, it is the lack of threading that causes this problem, so a little more care, and the risk of spoiling the technique will be minimized.

VIDEO INSTRUCTION

In practice, photographers act "in every way", but general methods of "saving" equipment still exist:

if the equipment was outside, bring it into the room and leave it for a while,
grab the device with all your fingers in a circle and try to unscrew it, slight rocking can help,
for greater convenience, you can screw on more filters, so it will be easier to grab,
turn the computer mat with the rubber side up and, pressing against the jammed element, gently unscrew,
use the USB cable by wrapping it around the device and pulling
wind several filters and wrap them with electrical tape, grab the last one, which is in a "safer" position,
freeze water in a plate, put the apparatus on it with the filter down, after a few minutes try to remove ( this way relies on filter cooling without lens cooling),
if the system is jammed due to mechanical damage and no methods help, you will have to resort to a more radical method - using a hacksaw to make two cuts opposite each other on the filter frame, then remove the filter with a screwdriver (some photographers make such cuts in advance and take a knife with them for that so that the jammed device can be removed at any time).

Precautions, or how to avoid jamming the system:

carefully wind the device, be sure to get into the thread (if you notice that you have put it on incorrectly, carefully remove it and repeat the procedure again),
do not tighten the device strongly on the lens,
some photographers pre-wear thin elastic bands on such elements, which should help prevent sticking,
it is not recommended to screw on the element if the temperature of the lens is very different from the ambient temperature, for example, in cold weather or on a hot day.

These tips are valid for all types of filters and lenses, including those who don't know how to remove a filter from a Canon lens.

The professionalism of high-end photographers is often noticeable in their actions during the filming process. To take high quality photos, they often use several types of lenses, mounting the entire structure in a matter of seconds.

For a beginner, the process of replacing a lens is always difficult, and not everyone knows where to start the replacement steps.

So, in order to remove the lens from the camera, you must:

Assess the principle of attachment to the device.
The metal rings on the lens should be removed.
By squeezing the outside of the lens barrel and slightly lifting the base, the part is easy to remove.

In addition to the above method, you can solve the problem of how to remove the lens by using ordinary sewing needles. The bottom line is to evenly install the needles into the connectors (where the matrix is) of the ring with the paws. When you press these holes, it is worth turning the lens a little and it can be freely removed.

But the most correct and safe method of removing the lens is the use of a bayonet mount. It includes a bayonet connection mechanism that allows quick and easy replacement. Modern models most often use an electric mount rather than a mechanical mount, but each manufacturer has this device individually.

The most popular camera manufacturers are undoubtedly Canon and Nikon. These companies have a huge number of fans, including famous photographers, and just amateurs.

How to remove a lens from a Nikon camera

To do this, just press and hold a special key at the base and gently scroll clockwise until it stops. After these steps, the part is easily removed. But, this advice can be considered universal, although some models may have a different replacement scheme, so it is worth considering the brand of the camera. Therefore, the instructions may differ for the procedure - how to remove the lens from Nikon, depending on the model.

The owners of the units of a competing company can often face a problem when the Canon lens is not removed. This situation is not uncommon, and the reason may be the loosening of the bolt on the lens itself or on the camera mount. Efforts to dismantle are not worth it, since there is a high risk of breaking the part.
It is best to take a jammed lens to a service.
In order to avoid problems, it is worth adhering to the algorithm of actions when there is no complete knowledge of the skill:

How to remove a Canon lens

Disable device
Detect button on top of lens.
Hold the button and turn the lens clockwise.
After that, be sure to install the protective filter on canon lens and a protective cover for the camera itself.

Careful attitude and protection of the camera makes it possible to obtain a high-quality photo and extend the life of the unit. To protect the objective lens, a special filter device is used. Its function is to prevent dust, moisture and mechanical stress from entering the optics. Often, inexperienced owners do not know how to remove a filter from a lens. It is mounted and removed by screwing.

There are also special filters that can improve the quality of the photo. These include a light filter. There are often cases when, after several attempts, the question cannot be positively resolved: how to remove a light filter from the lens or how to remove a filter of another type. In such a situation, you can take advantage of the advice of already experienced photographers, or you can go through specialized training. The course program has an easy training program that can arouse interest even among photographers with sufficient experience, and beginners will gain confidence in their abilities when working with a camera.