As a by-catch to lenses, screw-on filters also come into the house from time to time, which the previous owner used as an extra to protect the front lens.
You quickly remove them (as long as they aren't stuck) and put them aside or even throw them in the trash. Especially when, after decades of faithful service, they no longer look attractive due to dirt.
This doesn't have to and shouldn't be the case.
Little masterpieces
Upon closer inspection, such filters in metal frames sometimes turn out to be small mechanical masterpieces that are worth preserving.
There are two filters from Vivitar here.
On the left a 77 mm Skylight filter 1A and on the right a 49 mm UV filter:
In both filters, the glass is fixed by a retaining ring in the filter ring for screwing into a thread.
There are two grooves in each of the retaining rings into which the spanner wrench can be inserted for unscrewing.
The arrows point to the retaining rings with the grooves:
Manufacturer's name and filter data are engraved.
The material should be aluminum or an alloy.
Valuable and heavy quality.
In order to be able to completely clean ...
... I dismantle both filters.
To make it easier to unscrew the retaining ring with the adjusting wrench, I apply some WD-40 oil along the retaining ring.
If any of it gets on the glass, it will be included in the cleaning afterwards:
The spanner wrench clicks into both grooves on the retaining ring:
Now it is important to press the spanner wrench vertically downwards with feeling and then not to move it anymore.
The filter ring is carefully unscrewed and the retaining ring remains in position.
This prevents the adjusting key from slipping, which often leaves scratches.
Since the thread is shallow, it takes a few rounds before the retaining ring can be removed.
Done:
The WD-40 has done its job perfectly and now needs to be removed so that it doesn't smear the glass after installation.
I clean the two rings with isopropyl alcohol.
This also causes dirt and grains of sand to come loose from the thread, which could make it more difficult or even prevent the retaining ring from being screwed in during assembly:
The glass can now be completely cleaned, including the edge where the retaining ring would otherwise lie:
So that the retaining ring slides easily when screwing in, I apply some Ballistol universal oil:
I use a cotton swab to ensure that only a thin film remains on the ring.
Ballistol, like WD-40, creeps and the glass should not be oiled:
The critical phase
Screwing in the retaining ring is the critical phase.
The retaining ring must not tilt. Caution is advised.
If you move against the direction of screwing in, you can hear and feel the locking point.
It's a bit like helicoid merging.
From then on we continue to the right using the screwdriver blade as a guide:
Screwing in must be easy and not occur against resistance.
If it gets stuck, then the retaining ring is no longer seated properly in the thread.
In this case, turn to the left and wiggle carefully until the blockage is released.
An exercise in patience
The retaining ring is fixed with the adjusting wrench. Don't pull too hard:
Two - almost - new filters that no longer show their age are ready for new tasks:
+++
All information provided without guarantee and use at your own risk.
You quickly remove them (as long as they aren't stuck) and put them aside or even throw them in the trash. Especially when, after decades of faithful service, they no longer look attractive due to dirt.
This doesn't have to and shouldn't be the case.
Little masterpieces
Upon closer inspection, such filters in metal frames sometimes turn out to be small mechanical masterpieces that are worth preserving.
There are two filters from Vivitar here.
On the left a 77 mm Skylight filter 1A and on the right a 49 mm UV filter:
In both filters, the glass is fixed by a retaining ring in the filter ring for screwing into a thread.
There are two grooves in each of the retaining rings into which the spanner wrench can be inserted for unscrewing.
The arrows point to the retaining rings with the grooves:
Manufacturer's name and filter data are engraved.
The material should be aluminum or an alloy.
Valuable and heavy quality.
In order to be able to completely clean ...
... I dismantle both filters.
To make it easier to unscrew the retaining ring with the adjusting wrench, I apply some WD-40 oil along the retaining ring.
If any of it gets on the glass, it will be included in the cleaning afterwards:
The spanner wrench clicks into both grooves on the retaining ring:
Now it is important to press the spanner wrench vertically downwards with feeling and then not to move it anymore.
The filter ring is carefully unscrewed and the retaining ring remains in position.
This prevents the adjusting key from slipping, which often leaves scratches.
Since the thread is shallow, it takes a few rounds before the retaining ring can be removed.
Done:
The WD-40 has done its job perfectly and now needs to be removed so that it doesn't smear the glass after installation.
I clean the two rings with isopropyl alcohol.
This also causes dirt and grains of sand to come loose from the thread, which could make it more difficult or even prevent the retaining ring from being screwed in during assembly:
The glass can now be completely cleaned, including the edge where the retaining ring would otherwise lie:
So that the retaining ring slides easily when screwing in, I apply some Ballistol universal oil:
I use a cotton swab to ensure that only a thin film remains on the ring.
Ballistol, like WD-40, creeps and the glass should not be oiled:
The critical phase
Screwing in the retaining ring is the critical phase.
The retaining ring must not tilt. Caution is advised.
If you move against the direction of screwing in, you can hear and feel the locking point.
It's a bit like helicoid merging.
From then on we continue to the right using the screwdriver blade as a guide:
Screwing in must be easy and not occur against resistance.
If it gets stuck, then the retaining ring is no longer seated properly in the thread.
In this case, turn to the left and wiggle carefully until the blockage is released.
An exercise in patience
The retaining ring is fixed with the adjusting wrench. Don't pull too hard:
Two - almost - new filters that no longer show their age are ready for new tasks:
+++
All information provided without guarantee and use at your own risk.
Last edited:
