Help !!

Slim_adi

Slim_adi

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Newbie here - been messing about with my gear at home and i've dropped my lens. Luckily i had a polarizing filter screwed on it and that's what's taken the hit - the glass smashed and the outer ring came off !
However, the ring that screws into the lens it still attached and no matter how much swearing i utter i cant get it loose ! - the lens cap won't go on because of it.
How much muscle can i use on a standard 18-55 lens before i knacker the mechanism ?
Any ideas guys ,
 
Had the issue before, used pliers, though I wouldn't suggest doing that unless you are ready to sign off the lens, if it doesn't bother you keep the rings
 
Try to apply even pressure around the ring. Having to much pressure on adjacent sides will just make it more difficult to remove. You could try and place the lens ring down on a rubber mat and turn the lens. Hopefully the rubber mat will grip the ring evenly and it'll come off.
 
If its lack of grip try a rubber band, may give the grip you need.
 
Just realised theres nothing to grip - it's left the part of the filter which is the threaded ring only which is on the inner rim of the lens (if that makes sense)
I have no idea what to do !
How long will the lens realistically last without a lens cap ?
 
Slim_adi said:
How long will the lens realistically last without a lens cap ?
Click to expand...
Forever if you can avoid hitting the front element with anything.

I think a photo of the problem is required. A rubber mat might work if there's anything protruding. Otherwise going very carefully with a lens spanner. If this sounds daunting, you need to find a professional repairer. Whereabouts are you?
 
I intially thought the "tabs" above the ridged area was the remnants of the filter but on further inspection thats actually part of the lens...


What i need to remove is the inner ring as shown here - directly outside the writing...

I need something almost like a pair of circlip type pliers - ones which exert outward pressure when gripped if that makes sense
 
Alastair said:
Well, you could try putting the lens in the freezer inside a sealed plastic bag. Hopefully the remains of the filter ring will contract slightly and loosen enough to allow you to spin it out.


Looks too far gone for the scary solution.. https://fstoppers.com/other/canons-terrifying-recommended-way-remove-stuck-filter-3988
Click to expand...

Was thinking about the freezer actually as couldn't figure out how to get any heat into it to try the same effect.
I'd have been willing to give the scary solution a go if there was any way of getting a hacksaw on it - even to make a notch for purchase !
 
I would very carefully drill a small hole in the ring not to deep and with a hover on to suck the little bits away then use a small screw driver to try and turn it.
Or get a rubber mat and cut it the same size as the filter ring and try and turn it face down
 
seme said:
I would very carefully drill a small hole in the ring not to deep and with a hover on to suck the little bits away then use a small screw driver to try and turn it.
Click to expand...
I thought about suggesting something similar, but there's not a large depth of ring and you wouldn't want to catch the thread of the lens.


One other thing not to do.. do not try and use super glue to attach something to the filter to give purchase, the glue won't be strong enough and vapours will damage the lens coating.
 
Circlip pliers also make sense to me, however as noted it is all about exerting enough evenly spread grip.

So how about a pair of surgical gloves and then with both hands gripping ~ index and middle fingers both hands on the outside and thumbs on the remaining ring pushing and pulling to rotate it anti clockwise. Perhaps this level of grip will give an even turning force and loosen the ring sufficiently to remove it.

The reason I suggest surgical gloves is they are mainly latex and have a good stiction for holding/gripping.

Best of luck getting removed.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I'll give it another coat of looking at tonight
 
Just a dig at Canon :) I use Nikon.

Hope you manage to fix it.
I've had a similar problem, but not as extreme as yours.
 
kendo1 said:
Just a dig at Canon :) I use Nikon.

Hope you manage to fix it.
I've had a similar problem, but not as extreme as yours.
Click to expand...

Ahh - brand snobbery :P
I'm a member of a VW forum and the purists on there can be horrific !!
I can live with the problem to be honest - my only worry is keeping the lens clean / protected as i can't get the cap on. It's my first piece of "proper" photography kit so was bought to a budget to get me into my stride
 
How about using a compass point? It might be a bit more manageable.
Cover the lens surface with a cloth first.
 
From what I can understand all that is left on the lens is the inside of the filter tread.

Take a small drill and by hand make a small hole without busting through the metal,then use a pointed driver to turn the ring out,make sure you are going anti clockwise and that should see the ring come off.
 
I'll be giving both those a go. If all else fails and i knacker the lens i've got my 75-300 lens in reserve !!
 
Slim_adi said:
Luckily i had a polarizing filter screwed on it and that's what's taken the hit
Click to expand...
Slim_adi said:
my only worry is keeping the lens clean / protected
Click to expand...

TBH, if you hadn't had a filter attached but used a hood, you could have saved all this hassle. ;)
( depending whether you actually NEED protection, a polarising filter wouldn't be the first choice anyway)
 
Personally, I would do nothing.

The lens is more than capable of producing suitable images in its present state. Why risk a drill slipping or getting metal swarf from drilling into the lens or scratching it.

Buy an oversized plastic or rubber lens cover that fits over the end of the lens and job done.

Cheap and practical with no risk.
 
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