Lens with stripped front filter threads

NorBro

NorBro

Major Contributor
I have a lens with stripped threads in the front, but I'd like to use it sometimes with an ND filter. Besides using a matte box with filters, is there any way I can salvage it? I have been looking for magnetic filters or even step rings, but no luck.
 
will filters screw on at all?

get a step up ring and glue it in there with some epoxy, just of course be careful not to epoxy the lens. less is more
 
thank you - that's exactly what I was planning on doing, but with super glue if I had no other alternative...would epoxy be better?
 
I'm not sure how super glue would bond; epoxy should be very strong, and it also fills gaps so you don't need an exact fit. (I was recently testing metal-to-metal epoxy bonds, very tough indeed.)

De-grease the surfaces first; alcohol should do it. Remember that cure time depends on temperature. If you mix up a large batch (e.g. a cup), it will flash cure and may catch fire. Don't get it on your skin.
 
You're welcome! Oh yeah, and tape off frikkin' EVERYTHING that you don't want epoxy on -- that stuff gets everywhere!
 
For a small job like that I would go to Home Depot or any good hardware store and pick up some Loctite 2 part epoxy. Comes in 2 tubes and you squeeze out equal amounts. A bead about 3/4 of an inch long is plenty, place each bead side by side for easy mixing. Mix on something smooth that can be thrown away afterwards, using something disposable to mix like a sturdy coffee stirrer stick. I would then use a toothpic to apply the epoxy to the threads. Remember, the gap is very small that you are filling, don't gob it on, just smear a very small amount or it will ooz out all over the lens. I would apply it to the step up ring only, remember, you only need a tiny bit. Any excess is going to squeeze out and clean up is a mess. Remember that the gap in the threads is very small and the volume of epoxy is only going to be a drop or less. Probably a lot less.
If done properly, when the ring is in place, you will only see a tiny amount of epoxy squeeze out of the joints. Anything outside of the joints is doing nothing and is messy and near impossible to clean up without some high powered solvents before it cures. Good luck, just remember, less is more than enough.
Bill Wojo
 
You're going to lower the resale value by epoxying it (if that's important to you). A lot of lenses can have that front threaded section replaced easily by a repair shop. I'd look at that route first if this lens is worth anything. If we're talking about a thrifty fifty, then go nuts with the epoxy!
 
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