Unscrewing filter on P4 lens

Mike_in_Letcombe · Aug 26, 2016

I have a P4 with, apparently, a screw on UV lens - standard as shipped. Lots of folk talk about being able to unscrew this and fit other screw on lenses (mainly Polar Pro) but I'm darned if I can unscrew mine. I've not 'forced' it too much as I don't want to break the camera / gimbal but any suggestions? Turned on / turned off? Holding gimbal firmly on both sides or just one? Rubber gloves / rubber bands (I've even seen some advice about a condom!) - how did YOU undo yours the first time?

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rockydog · Aug 26, 2016

A rubber band is the way to go....hold the top and bottom of the camera with one hand, and using as little pressure as possible, unscrew the filter with the band wrapped round it. Grip is your friend..pressure is your enemy!

msinger · Aug 26, 2016

The trick is to hold the UV filter as loosely as possible while turning it to the left. A rubber glove, rubber band, etc. will help your fingers grip the filter so you don't have to put a lot of pressure on it.

Kevin Donoghoe · Aug 26, 2016

Mike_in_Letcombe said:
I have a P4 with, apparently, a screw on UV lens - standard as shipped. Lots of folk talk about being able to unscrew this and fit other screw on lenses (mainly Polar Pro) but I'm darned if I can unscrew mine. I've not 'forced' it too much as I don't want to break the camera / gimbal but any suggestions? Turned on / turned off? Holding gimbal firmly on both sides or just one? Rubber gloves / rubber bands (I've even seen some advice about a condom!) - how did YOU undo yours the first time?

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After reading of all the ways to get it off, I turned to a pair of multigrips. That shifted it OK, but I didn't realise until later that I had cracked the lens. It cost me $AUD69 to replace it

JackH · Aug 26, 2016

I suggest that after you get if off you apply a microscopic amount of Luberex (GC electronic lube) to the threads. This will protect the threads from oxidizing and freezing your filter in place. Also keeps out moisture and dust.

Kevin Donoghoe · Aug 27, 2016

JackH said:
I suggest that after you get if off you apply a microscopic amount of Luberex (GC electronic lube) to the threads. This will protect the threads from oxidizing and freezing your filter in place. Also keeps out moisture and dust.

Hey, thanks for that. I'm not an imaginative bloke and probably wouldn't have thought of it.

Mike_in_Letcombe · Aug 27, 2016

Tried 'gently'. Nope. Tried 'rubber bands'. Nope. Wife gave me her (dry) washing up gloves - first attempt, 3 seconds, unscrewed. Off to buy some decent filters now!

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LMT0286 · Aug 27, 2016

I guess I was lucky. Mine unscrewed very easily

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Darren Roach · Jan 1, 2017

Ive tried in vain to get this bloody thing unscrewed but it still wont budge. Any one else have any ideas ???

rockydog · Jan 1, 2017

Persevere with the rubber band method..the most important thing is not to squeeze it while you're trying to turn it.

paulburrows · Jan 1, 2017

Darren Roach said:
Ive tried in vain to get this bloody thing unscrewed but it still wont budge. Any one else have any ideas ???

If you're still struggling, I sell a tool that does the job quickly and easily. Search phantom filter tool on eBay or Amazon and you'll find it.

JackH · Jan 1, 2017

Keep in mind the problem is with the material used to make the the threads from the camera side. Once you remove it. lube the threads and you will never have this problem again. If you can see the lube after applied, you used 2x times too much! Apply and screw on/off a filter about 10 times. Solved

Darren Roach · Jan 1, 2017

Thanks for all your replies people. I tried again with a rubber band and it unscrewed realy easily this time. Just ordered my filters and going to try them out when they arrive. Happy days

jwt873 · Jan 1, 2017

I found that heating the ring with a hair dryer helps a lot. I've had my filter on and off several times. One day I went to put a filter on and it just wouldn't budge. I heated it with a hair dryer and it slipped right off.

The ring is aluminum and will expand with heat. The plastic it's screwed onto won't.

The average hair dryer shouldn't be hot enough to hurt the plastic or the camera, but one should be careful. Don't leave the dryer blowing on the ring for extended periods. It should do the trick in 10 - 20 seconds.

mark farrell · Jan 1, 2017

Mine would not come off. Returned it and bought another. That wouldn't come off so I bought six (all they had in the store) Tried them all until one came off then returned five of them. DJI needs to fix this. Customer service sucks so this is what you have to do to get the proper drone.

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Brockrock · Jan 2, 2017

I too struggled to get my stock lens cover off of my P4, and after reading several threads about this issue, the best advice that I read was very counter intuitive, because the more I worked at it trying to get the lens off, the harder and more intensively I did so...all to no avail...

The trick that then worked for me was to apply as little pressure as possible to just the very edges of the lens with your thumb, index, and middle fingers - evenly spaced around the very edges of the lens - and while holding the camera steady with your other hand, gently rotate the lens until it 'pops' free. I laughed when it finally came free with so little effort, and I'm pretty sure that I heard the copter laughing back at me...