johnbuckley Posted October 26, 2007 Share #1 Posted October 26, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Somehow, the lens cap on my 50mm Summilux came off and -- don't exactly know how this happened -- the IR-UV filter got smashed. The good news is it's just the filter -- the lens below is intact. The problem is I cannot now remove the filter. First, it's unstable, having been broken. Second, when I try to use wide-mouthed pliers to twist it off, it is stuck on as if it were glued. (I'm guessing that whatever force hit the lens face also jammed the lens itself.) Question: does this sound like something my friendly Leica dealer could fix for me? Something that could/should be handled by Leica New Jersey? Should I keep trying myself? (I am reluctant to do that, since I think I could easily break the filter glass and possibly damage the lens itself.) Thank you in advance for any advice you might have. JB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 26, 2007 Posted October 26, 2007 Hi johnbuckley, Take a look here Smashed IR-UV Filter, Advice Requested. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
larry Posted October 26, 2007 Share #2 Posted October 26, 2007 John, You might try using one of these: Craftsman Strap Wrench, Small - Model 45533 at Sears.com Good luck, Larry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted October 26, 2007 Share #3 Posted October 26, 2007 I have found that filters feel like they are stuck for one reason. When trying to twist them off you grip to hard flexing the ring and that makes it tighter. Try very light pressure on the outside of the ring when turning it. If that doesn't work use pliers at ONE point on the edge of the ring, NOT gripping around the outside of the ring, and gently turn in the unscrew direction (counter clockwise). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted October 26, 2007 Share #4 Posted October 26, 2007 John, I don't know to what degree the filter got 'smashed' - this is what I would try: Get yourself a strip of rubber tubing (I use an old bicycle tube), about 5cm x 15cm or for the metrically challenged, 2" x 6". Wrap it around the filter and while using even pressure around the perimeter of the filter, try to unscrew it. The trick is the 'even pressure' - you don't want to distort the filter threads by applying pressure in one or two spots around the perimeter only. As Ed mentioned above - it is the flexing of the threads that sometimes locks the filter. If the rubber tube trick does not work, there are other drastic measures that I would probably attempt if the lens was mine but, would not recommed to others...... Good luck, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted October 26, 2007 Share #5 Posted October 26, 2007 This what makes this forum great - ten minutes and three responses! Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted October 26, 2007 Share #6 Posted October 26, 2007 John, The stickiness may be due to dissimilar metals so you might try gently warming the metal part of the filter. If they are dissimilar metals then they will have different coefficients of expansion and one will expand more than the other, which will probably free them up. The trick is how to apply the gently warming without applying too much to the lens but my thought is to take some material and microwave it for, say, a minute - or longer if necessary - until it is warm to the touch, wrap it around the filter, wait for 30 seconds and then the filter should unscrew. If this doesn't work it may mean that the expansion is working against you in which case put the fabric in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes and repeat. Best of luck, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tummydoc Posted October 26, 2007 Share #7 Posted October 26, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) This what makes this forum great - ten minutes and three responses! Jan ROFL. However, he'll be if lucky if one of them happens to work. The surest way to get a stuck filter off is to place it squarely against a flat, frictional surface such as a rubber mat and turn. If you have one, a large rubber stopper of the type used in chemistry labs can work. The idea is that no pressure be placed peripherally. If the filter is truly jammed-on, then since it's ruined anyway, it could be gotten off by filing 2 diametrically-opposed notches in the front rim, then lay a flat blade (such as a kitchen knife) across the notches and use it as a wrench. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
photolandscape Posted October 26, 2007 Share #8 Posted October 26, 2007 I like the strap wrench idea as a first try--would distribute the force more evenly and might do the trick. Failing that, the rub mat idea from tummydoc would be a good idea. And failing the above, I'd opt for the best local camera repair shop--preferably one with Leica experience. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted October 26, 2007 Share #9 Posted October 26, 2007 ROFL. However, he'll be if lucky if one of them happens to work. The surest way to get a stuck filter off is to place it squarely against a flat, frictional surface such as a rubber mat and turn. If you have one, a large rubber stopper of the type used in chemistry labs can work. The idea is that no pressure be placed peripherally. If the filter is truly jammed-on, then since it's ruined anyway, it could be gotten off by filing 2 diametrically-opposed notches in the front rim, then lay a flat blade (such as a kitchen knife) across the notches and use it as a wrench. Actually, John will be lucky if any of the various suggestions work. The problem with placing a filter against a flat, frictional surface is, that the presure which has to be applied is pushing the filter back into the filter mount. It does work in instances where the filter is not damaged and even then results are not guaranteed. Same with the rubber stopper (bathtub stopper can be used as well). In 90% of my 'jammed filter cases', applying even peripheral pressure around the whole filter mount removed it. Filing notches is one of the drastic measures that I had in mind - almost certain to work, but not for the faint hearted. Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted October 26, 2007 Share #10 Posted October 26, 2007 If it is in warranty, I think the passport will cover even odd things like this. I would send to NJ. Surely they have the expertise and tools to perform this type of thing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tummydoc Posted October 26, 2007 Share #11 Posted October 26, 2007 The problem with placing a filter against a flat, frictional surface is... The only problem would be operator error. Executed correctly, that method will work 100% of the time unless the filter and lens threads have been deformed from impact...in which case circumferential pressure will likewise fail. Filing notches is one of the drastic measures that I had in mind - almost certain to work, but not for the faint hearted. Being faint hearted wouldn't be nearly as much an impediment as being clumsy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted October 26, 2007 Share #12 Posted October 26, 2007 This isn't rocket science ... the secret is even pressure which you can easily do with your hands or pliers. Your local camera store probably stocks a $4 filter wrench. This works like the strap wrench linked to earlier in the thread and I've used both before in the past. I'm not sure why people are so anti-Vinay's suggestion - this would work too - try something like a soft mouse mat. If it wasn't broken then I'd even suggest trying the palm of your hand. As an alternative find a local repair shop. They'll get it off in a jiffy, probably for free. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted October 26, 2007 Share #13 Posted October 26, 2007 Because whilst most people come here to share thoughts and opinions and sometimes disagree vehemently, but in a civilised and socially-acceptible way, a few have have some difficulty reining-in their contempt and disregard for the community and its posted standards of etiquette. A case in point... Almost all your post show some type of disdain for some other poster. Either there opinion or the way they express themselves. You are the case in point for my comment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted October 26, 2007 Share #14 Posted October 26, 2007 If it is in warranty, I think the passport will cover even odd things like this. I would send to NJ. Surely they have the expertise and tools to perform this type of thing. I thought that Passport didn't apply in the US Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted October 26, 2007 Share #15 Posted October 26, 2007 I thought that Passport didn't apply in the US Passport on lenses and film cameras. No passport on the M8. The filter is stuck on a lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted October 26, 2007 Share #16 Posted October 26, 2007 Fair enough, thanks. Must be a good reason why the M8 is excluded... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted October 27, 2007 Author Share #17 Posted October 27, 2007 Thank you all. I'm going to try, well, most of the above suggestions! And if none work, I'll send it off to New Jersey. Many thanks. JB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted October 27, 2007 Share #18 Posted October 27, 2007 How about a photo? Put the lens in a warm spot like in the sun inside a window, or on the garden table for a few. If bits of glass are missing teh filter could be out of round or warped and you need ot be able to hold the lens securely without damaging it. If you arent able to do that...then...it should only be a minutes work for a tech. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted October 27, 2007 Share #19 Posted October 27, 2007 ...chuck it in the bin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted October 27, 2007 Share #20 Posted October 27, 2007 I definitely wouldn't file notches or anything else while the filter is on the lens. Assuming it's a Leica filter, you risk getting aluminium (aluminum if it's a US filter) filings into the lens which will wreck the focussing mount. If it's the Summilux ASPH, which has the most complex mount of any M lens, you'll regret it. The filter mounts are not very robust and it may be it's been knocked out of round, so use your eye or a measure - like a rule or better a pair of calipers - to determine if it's elliptical. If it is, use your fingers to press it back into shape and the try to remove it again with the pliers, but work round the filter, don't just try at one point. The Sears Strap Wrench looks useless, though I expect it's not designed to removing car oil filters so down to the idiots who reviewed it. Did they expect this tool to stand up to fixing up their Edsel which last visited Jiffy-Lube in the last century? Oh, if you want to try warming the lens with a hair drier, that might help but go easy, warm, not bake. You don't want the helicoid brease dripping out of the bottom of the lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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