Polarizer Coming Loose Off The threads

DF · Oct 13, 2025

The glass is slipping, sliding around, and the strange thing is it seems to be getting smaller & smaller till it will eventually fall out alltogether.
Thinking of crazy-gluing it to the edges but it goes too much to one edge more - like the complete outer edge is being ground down.
How or why did this happen? It's a good Schneider Kreuznach.

koraks · Oct 13, 2025

DF said:
getting smaller & smaller

Or the filter ring is getting bigger.
Or neither and the filter just became dislodged inside the fitting.

DF · Oct 13, 2025

koraks said:
Or the filter ring is getting bigger.
Or neither and the filter just became dislodged inside the fitting.

It's a mystery - how could the ring get bigger/expand or the glass get smaller...?
It would seem easy simply to fit it back in place but a "sliver" or ultra-thin "crescent" open space at the other end
if this all makes sense.
Of course, I've been giving this polarizer quite a workout since I got a step up ring - constantly screwing it in/taking it off - transferring it to the other lens maybe the cause...

Taylor Nankervis · Oct 13, 2025

DF said:
The glass is slipping, sliding around, and the strange thing is it seems to be getting smaller & smaller till it will eventually fall out alltogether.
Thinking of crazy-gluing it to the edges but it goes too much to one edge more - like the complete outer edge is being ground down.
How or why did this happen? It's a good Schneider Kreuznach.

If it is a Schneider Kreuznach POL, it is then a B+W, and most unlikely to have undersized, loose or ill-fitting glass. SK/B+W would be very keen to learn about a filter behaving this way, and go out of their way to look at it, probably offering a warranty. Assuming it is a new filter?

In my kit all of the POL filters are SK/B+W, some many years old with no deterioration of glass, fit or movement.

It isn't a counterfeit B+W is it?

Older filters and those by Tokina/HOYA and Tiffen, use a circular spring retainer to anchor the glass in place; indeed, many filters from Japan have this; it is a tight fit but one which can, over a very long period of time, become lose. The SK filters are precision assembled; got one in front of me and there is no way the glass can be made to move, but then it's a Kaesemann polariser — nothing is intended to move other than the outer ring for polarisation!

DF · Oct 14, 2025

Taylor Nankervis said:
If it is a Schneider Kreuznach POL, it is then a B+W, and most unlikely to have undersized, loose or ill-fitting glass. SK/B+W would be very keen to learn about a filter behaving this way, and go out of their way to look at it, probably offering a warranty. Assuming it is a new filter?

In my kit all of the POL filters are SK/B+W, some many years old with no deterioration of glass, fit or movement.

It isn't a counterfeit B+W is it?

Older filters and those by Tokina/HOYA and Tiffen, use a circular spring retainer to anchor the glass in place; indeed, many filters from Japan have this; it is a tight fit but one which can, over a very long period of time, become lose. The SK filters are precision assembled; got one in front of me and there is no way the glass can be made to move, but then it's a Kaesemann polariser — nothing is intended to move other than the outer ring for polarisation!

It's a "Made In Germany" MC Calumet filter I was able to get new/unopened on the web just a few years ago. 'Given me some very good shots especially with E100 & Velvia. Some deal years back between Calumet and Schneider or Mainz Schott maybe.
Right at this very moment I'm looking at it in my left hand while my right hand holds one of these 'mini tube' crazy glues.
Should I or shouldn't I....

DF · Oct 14, 2025

Taylor Nankervis said:
If it is a Schneider Kreuznach POL, it is then a B+W, and most unlikely to have undersized, loose or ill-fitting glass. SK/B+W would be very keen to learn about a filter behaving this way, and go out of their way to look at it, probably offering a warranty. Assuming it is a new filter?

In my kit all of the POL filters are SK/B+W, some many years old with no deterioration of glass, fit or movement.

It isn't a counterfeit B+W is it?

Older filters and those by Tokina/HOYA and Tiffen, use a circular spring retainer to anchor the glass in place; indeed, many filters from Japan have this; it is a tight fit but one which can, over a very long period of time, become lose. The SK filters are precision assembled; got one in front of me and there is no way the glass can be made to move, but then it's a Kaesemann polariser — nothing is intended to move other than the outer ring for polarisation!

"circular spring retainer to anchor the glass" - hmm, makes sense. Perhaps this circular spring retainer fell out somehow. I did probably too much screwing/unscrewing for just this one filter so something had to go awry.

reddesert · Oct 15, 2025

DF said:
It's a "Made In Germany" MC Calumet filter I was able to get new/unopened on the web just a few years ago. 'Given me some very good shots especially with E100 & Velvia. Some deal years back between Calumet and Schneider or Mainz Schott maybe.
Right at this very moment I'm looking at it in my left hand while my right hand holds one of these 'mini tube' crazy glues.
Should I or shouldn't I....

Nobody can tell what is going on from your descriptions. It might help if you posted a picture.

Do not use crazy glue / superglue (cyanoacrylate glue) on or near an optical glass or plastic surface. The heat released as the glue cures has been known to fog or damage optics. It would be better to use contact cement, for example.

DF · Oct 15, 2025

reddesert said:
Nobody can tell what is going on from your descriptions. It might help if you posted a picture.

Do not use crazy glue / superglue (cyanoacrylate glue) on or near an optical glass or plastic surface. The heat released as the glue cures has been known to fog or damage optics. It would be better to use contact cement, for example.

I't rattling around inside the 'frame' or retainer. There's a couple of YouTube videos on this - explanations on why this happens, which are numbers of reasons.

DF · Oct 16, 2025

reddesert said:
Nobody can tell what is going on from your descriptions. It might help if you posted a picture.

Do not use crazy glue / superglue (cyanoacrylate glue) on or near an optical glass or plastic surface. The heat released as the glue cures has been known to fog or damage optics. It would be better to use contact cement, for example.

Contact cement - 'gotcha.

Polarizer Coming Loose Off The threads

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