Problems with Thread Adapters

[Don Schaeffer]

Has anyone had the experience with thread adapters (like 49->55 mm adapters for example) which appear to freeze in the threads so you can't remove them. I go into a panic until the eventually unscrew. Anybody have ideas about handling these.

[Greg McCary]

I use them but haven't had one freeze in a long time. My old Yashica 50mm had a slightly warped thread ring due to a drop and it was always a pain to unscrew a filter or ring. Plus I always leave them slightly loose so I can remove them easily and I don't keep one on the camera either. I take them off after use.

[gryphonslair99]

Has anyone had the experience with thread adapters (like 49->55 mm adapters for example) which appear to freeze in the threads so you can't remove them. I go into a panic until the eventually unscrew. Anybody have ideas about handling these.

That is one of the problems with standard step-up and step-down rings. Buying brass instead of aluminum rings will solve the problem, as well as take more money out of your wallet.

[Don Schaeffer]

I didn't know there was such a thing. Where do you get brass rings?

[mjs1973]

I have had this happen many times. One way to make getting them off a bit easier is to wrap your entire thumb and index finger around the filter. This will help to even out the preasure on the filter and make unscrew easier. By grabbing the filter in only a couple spots, you are only applying preasure to those spots, and it will cause the filter to bind. I have found that a much lighter grip on the filter helps too.

[another view]

One way to make getting them off a bit easier is to wrap your entire thumb and index finger around the filter.

I've used this trick too - make a "C" shape with your thumb and index finger and then wrap it around as much of the circumference of the ring as you can. Apply pressure evenly and then unscrew. I started doing this after seeing filter wrenches that work on the same principal, which are one more gadget to buy and stuff in a camera bag - haven't needed one with this technique.

You could also wrap a rubber band around the ring before putting your hand on it for extra leverage. The problem with grabbing it perpendicularly with the tips of your thumb and fingers is that the ring tends to get squeezed out of round enough to bind inside the threads. It probably won't be visibly out of round, but enough to cause a problem. By grabbing it around the circumference, it stays round.

[freygr]

Just make sure there is some very light oil or some grease on the threads, keeps the aluminum from galling. NOTE too much grease or oil will cause optical problems!!!!

Another thing don't over tighten, just screw on the filter until it stops and do not apply any more force!

[Frog]

Glad you asked the question, Don, as I've been having trouble getting a circular polarizer off and now have some hints. Problem with the cp is the part you grab to turn is so skinny compared to the part you turn to adjust the polarizer.

[Jimmy B]

Try a small oil filter wrench.

[gryphonslair99]

I didn't know there was such a thing. Where do you get brass rings?

Heliopan makes them but they are pricey compared to the aluminum rings. B+W also has brass rings I believe.