Removing a Stuck Lens Filter Using a Method That’s Both Effective And Terrifying

Many photographers keep some sort of filter on their lenses at all times — even if it’s just a UV filter to stop the glass from getting scratched. But what do you do when a filter gets hopelessly stuck? Photographer Craig Pulsifer was faced with exactly that problem, and the method he says was advised by a Canon Professional Service technician is more than a little scary.

In order to protect the delicate inner threads of the lens, he had to carefully destroy the filter so that he could unmount it. Here’s the steps:

This is very definitely a last resort maneuver, only to be attempted when nothing else works. I’d be terrified of even getting vaguely near a nice piece of L glass like that with a hacksaw and ball-pein hammer, for fear of destroying thousands of dollars worth of gear. Could you bring yourself to do it?

[via Foto Actualidad]