Protecting lens filter threads

[Rob]

I have seen a lot of rangefinders with bend filter threads
and once bent it takes a special tool to unbend them correctly.
I dont have this tool so I try to keep them from being bent in the
first place.
I buy those cheap rubber folding lens hoods that fit the filter
size I need, then cut off all of the rubber part since it would interfere with the viewfinder. When the remaining metal or plastic ring is attached to the camera it gives much needed strength to the camera filter ring as well as giving you a mini lens hood that you can still attach filters to.

[pshinkaw]

I bought one of those lens thread straighteners from Porters a couple of years ago. It has been very useful. I have successfully straightened about a dozen lenses with it with only one failure. That occurred because the original damage extended all the way into the focusing helical,

If do this, you can restore fuctionality, but you will likely still have visible cosmetic damage.

-Paul