DIY – Adapter remover

Most of the time, you go to a place that sells camera stuff to find solutions to your photographic needs, but sometimes that perfect thing is found in the most unlikely of places.

To save money, I try to look for at least some answers in the kitchen section of a department store or perhaps the hardware store down the road.

The device shown here has come in handy for many different tasks, including removing more than a few stuck filters. I found a couple of these simple gadgets at a dollar store a few years ago and they’ve more than earned their keep. Made of pliable rubber, these jar lid grippers have plenty of teeth to grasp and turn. The secret to removing a stuck or stubborn adapter is to apply even pressure around the entire circumference of the problematic adapter, filter or jar lid. Even pressure is not easily done with hands alone and the mounting points on the flange can be tough on your fingers.

Most recently, I used one to assist in the removal of a pretty stubborn lens adapter that just wouldn’t budge. I had also lost track of the metal key thingy that comes with most adapters. They have there own problems. I nearly ruined a lens mounting flange once when the stamped metal key slipped out of the adapter as I was removing it and scratched the camera mount.

It turns out that these particular jar lid removers are almost exactly the size of most lens adapters. Simply wrap the teeth around the lens flange while pressing the release pin in the appropriate direction and give it a twist. Easy Peasy!

I’ve used mine as a makeshift follow focus handle and also as an aperture adjustment control grip.

There are many different kinds of jar lid removers that will work in a similar fashion.

Many times I have found that a practical and inexpensive photo-store solution does not exist. But there practical ways to adapt gizmos made for a totally different purpose.

Please have a look at some of my other posts here.

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