Scott and Sneakers: How to Remove a Cross Threaded Filter

Cross threading an expensive filter is one of a  photographer's worst nightmares.  Sadly there is usually no way to salvage the filter.  The worst case scenario is cross threading a circular polarizing or infrared filter as you will not want to shoot with either of those filters on all of the time.  If you happened to cross thread a UV filter, you could theoretically leave the filter on as a good UV filter does not impact your photographs, but protects the front element of your lens from dust, scratches, rain, and light impact.  This becomes trickier if you need to remove the filter for any reason such as scratches, damage, or if you believe that the front element of your lens somehow got dirty and needs to be cleaned.  The process isn't pretty and requires some careful handling, but here's a fun video on how to remove a cross threaded filter by our very own Scott and Sneakers! -MZ