Lube

[Memnon]

Hello,

I’ve recently invested in some Lee filters and have a question or two regarding the wide angle lens mount.
I’m having difficulty screwing the mound on to my 17-40mm lens.
I live in fear of thread-locking the mount and ruining the thread on my lens for good.

Would a lubricant help?
If so, what’s the safest to use?

Any help gratefully received.

 

[Don Haines]

have you tried cleaning the threads with a fine brush?

What happens when you use other filters? Is your problem the threads on the lens or is it the threads on the filter?

 

[Mikehit]

An old trick is to run the tip of a soft pencil along the thread to leave a smear of graphite to act as a dry lubricant.
There are also various dry lubricants such as PTFE or graphite readily available.

 

[unfocused]

An old trick is to run the tip of a soft pencil along the thread to leave a smear of graphite to act as a dry lubricant.
There are also various dry lubricants such as PTFE or graphite readily available.

I have read that graphite is very dangerous to use around cameras. The same characteristics that make it an excellent dry lubricant also make it very easy to get inside of the lens or camera mechanism and create problems down the road. I can't say with certainty that that is the case, only what I read.

"Paging Dr. Neuro..."

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I expect that your front thread is slightly bent. You can get a tool to fix them, it comes in handy for bent front rings. Sometimes you can't see it, but after using the tool, everythings OK.

Be sure to cover the glass before you use it.

http://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Professional-Adjustment-Symmetric-Repairing/dp/B00J5F72AC/ref=sr_1_1rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1463540265&sr=8-1&keywords=lens+vise&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011

 

[Memnon]

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to say thank you all for taking to time to post.

Kind regards,

Memnon.

 

[Memnon]

Just thought I'd let you all know that I think the problem was me.

After sitting for ten minutes repeatedly screwing and unscrewing the mount, I'm much happier.

Thanks again to those who offered advice.

 

[mackguyver]

Keep in mind that filters generally get stuck on cameras when they warm up and expand. Here in the hot Florida sun, it happens nearly every time I leave a filter on for more than 5 or 10 minutes. The important thing is not to freak out - just let the lens cool down, or worst case, put it in a ziploc bag and put it in the fridge and you should be able to get it off with no problems.

 

[Don Haines]

Keep in mind that filters generally get stuck on cameras when they warm up and expand. Here in the hot Florida sun, it happens nearly every time I leave a filter on for more than 5 or 10 minutes. The important thing is not to freak out - just let the lens cool down, or worst case, put it in a ziploc bag and put it in the fridge and you should be able to get it off with no problems.

Do you know the cold beer trick.....

Take a cold beer, a baggie to act as a condensation/scratches shield, and place cold beer against filter for 5 minutes..... The filter shrinks a tiny bit with the cold and comes off easier, then you drink the beer and tell your mates how smart you are......

 

[pwp]

.....Would a lubricant help?
If so, what’s the safest to use?

Lubricants & camera/lenses are a hazardous combination, best avoided. The potential for unanticipated grief is high enough to have a "no-lubricants" default.

Try other methods. CR threads on this subject seem to come up pretty often. The overwhelming advice is "no-lubricants".

-pw

 

[Kristofgss]

I found the graphite which is in the lenspen to clean lenses works pretty well when you dust a little on the filter thread with a brush.

When I have stuck filters on top of eachother I have resorted to putting them in the freezer and then holding the outer in in my hands to heat it up so that it expands more than the inner one. I wouldn't suggest freezing lenses on purpose though.

For polarizers, i usually go over them with my fingers before screwing them on. Anything to prevent them from being really dry.