Getting filters separated.

[GeraldTheMouse]

We all get this problem every once in a while, where you have two filters, and they just don't want to separate, right? Well my polarizing and uv filter aren't coming apart, at all. I've been working at it for the past half hour. Anybody have any ideas or techniques to get over this problem?

[mjs1973]

Been there, done that. If you form a C shape with your thumb and index finger, and wrap them around one filter, it will help spread out the pressure and keep the filter rings from binding together. Kind of like a strap wrench if you know what those are. A little pressure will cause the filter rings to change shape slightly bind together. The lighter you can grip the filter rings, the easier they will come apart.

The other piece of advice I can give you is to not stack your filters. I do it sometimes myself, but not with a UV filter. If you're using the UV filter for protection, I would take it off when you want to use another filter. Your other filter will be your protection while it's on the lens.

[another view]

UV filters are generally just used for protection (they really don't serve any other purpose), so there's no need to use one with any other filter. Try what Mike says, it almost always works for me but a rotating polarizer will make it a little more challenging. If it doesn't work, put a big rubber band around the polarized (or actually separate ones around both) for more leverage.

It's important to squeeze very gently and evenly around the diameter of the rings - if you squeeze at only two points (say 12:00 and 6:00) you're distorting it just enough to cause it to bind.

[Canuck935]

Yeah light pressure is the key here. Squeezing it won't get you anywhere. I have polarizer that often gets stuck to a step-up ring, and the trick is always to use gentle even pressure.