Removing the 105 extension from the macro port

I am preparing for a dive trip to Catalina Island on Saturday. In getting my Subal housing and ports ready, I find that I can't remove the extension for the 105mm lens from the macro port I use for the 60mm lens.

Does anyone have any tips to remove the extension so I can shoot with the 60mm lens? The last thing I want to do is to break anything, so I haven't been too forceful.

Thanks for any ideas you may have.

Ellen

Hi Ellen,

Use a "Strap wrench" which is commonly sold at auto parts stores. It's for unscrewing fussy oil filters so sometimes called an oil filter wrench.

If one isn't available, use a belt. Put the belt through the buckle, then put it around the extension ring. Twist the belt by pulling on the free end.

Good luck!

Cheers

James

Hi Ellen,

If you make sure that you are wearing rubber gloves when trying to undo the ports, as per James,

you will stop the ports from twisting in your hands...

HTH,

Bruce...

Use a "Strap wrench" which is commonly sold at auto parts stores. It's for unscrewing fussy oil filters so sometimes called an oil filter wrench.

 

If one isn't available, use a belt. Put the belt through the buckle, then put it around the extension ring. Twist the belt by pulling on the free end.

James, I don't have a strap wrench. However, I tried to use my belt to do the trick and it wouldn't cooperate.

I must have put it on real tight the last time I used it.

If you make sure that you are wearing rubber gloves when trying to undo the ports, as per James,

you will stop the ports from twisting in your hands...

Bruce, I tried using my rubber gloves but that didn't do the trick either.

All is not lost, however. My dive buddy has a strap wrench and he said he would bring it to the boat. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we'll be successful.

Thanks to both of you.

Ellen

Hi Ellen,

I've had the problem in the past too (although not with a Subal). So it sounds like the extension ring is attached to the port and not the housing. You should be able to put it back on the housing, then use the housing itself for leverage. Get a good grip around the port to turn it to where the port and extension ring are not locked. Each one should turn independently. If you can't get it apart yourself bring it along and we'll work on it on the boat. Don't worry... I'll make sure we have lots of strong men around to help.

See you tomorrow!

Bonnie

If you can't get it apart yourself bring it along and we'll work on it on the boat. Don't worry... I'll make sure we have lots of strong men around to help.

I haven't been able to get it apart, though it's not for lack of trying. <_<

I did call Brian and he told me he'd bring his strap wrench. Between Brian's strap wrench and the strong men who can help, we should be able to take care of it

Thanks, I'll see you at 7!

Ellen

This happened to me very recently with a subal product i was beta testing. I got it with a slightly off-size o-ring and that caused it to get totally stuck. It took 2 people to wrestle it off, after about 15 minutes of intense swearing

This happened to me very recently with a subal product i was beta testing. I got it with a slightly off-size o-ring and that caused it to get totally stuck. It took 2 people to wrestle it off, after about 15 minutes of intense swearing

But it's still a nice beta product

Sears sells rubber strap wrenches. I always travel with two because I have small hands and can not get a good grip on the port &/or extension.

Available from McMaster-Carr http://www.mcmaster.com/

Versa-Grip Strap Wrenches

Grip almost any shape object without marring or scratching. To use, just pull the strap snugly around the object and push/pull the handle. Great for pipe, hose, fittings, taps, and automotive applications. Strap is made of synthetic rubber and resists oil and solvents. Choose from heavy duty aluminum and nylon handles.

With Nylon Handle

5 3/4" 1/2"-4" 1/2" x 18 1/2" x 1/8"

54325A61 7.68

8" 3/4"-6 5/16" 13/16" x 24" x 3/16"

54325A62 11.06

2-Pc. Set Includes one each of 54325A61 and A62. 54325A57 Each $16.84

I prefer the nylon handles, less of a chance to scratch things.

Don't get confused and turn the port and extension the wrong way, thus tightening it and not loosing it

The belt works really well in a pinch, seriously. You just put one on the port and one the opposite direction on the extension ring. But two strong folks are still needed...:-)

Cheers

James

The belt works really well in a pinch, seriously. You just put one on the port and one the opposite direction on the extension ring. But two strong folks are still needed...:-)

 

Cheers

James

Is this a pretty common thing for extension rings James?

I got the same problem with my sea & sea ext & macro port base.

Last time i need almost an hour to separate them.

I think i have to buy one more ext LOL

Is it possible there is some salt from previous dive? Try soaking then use the belt.

Seems like everything I make hand tight is usually very tight after a few days of use. I can usually disassemble parts with 1 or 2 strap wrenches.

I think its pretty common with ext rings. On my S&S SX ring, the instructions say that the ring can be hard to remove on its own from the housing....The instructions were to ALWAYS remove the port and ring together and then remove ring after..

I've got good news!

Shortly after arriving at The Great Escape and before departing Long Beach for Catalina, Bonnie was able to singlehandedly remove the 105 extension from my Subal macro port

Thank you Bonnie! That was quite a feat, especially considering how tightly it was attached to the port.

However, that being said, since Bonnie won't always be available to do this for me, I am going to purchase the Versa Grip Strap Wrenches.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and comments.

Ellen