Ok, I'll admit not everybody needs to do this and I tried a number of different ways before I found this one to be successful.  The biggest challenge to this little task is to not cause any damage.  This twine around the barrel procedure applies an even pressure around the lens cap and also protects it from any scratches.

1) Make a small mark on the barrel of the cap so you will know when it turns
2) Install the gimbal clamp to hold the camera steady.
3) Cut about 24 inches of twine. (I used a braided cord type)
4) Put a "clove hitch" around the cap (LensCap01.jpg)




5) Tie a short stick with the loose ends of the string.(LensCap02.jpg)



6) Twist the stick to apply force evenly around the cap.(LensCap03.jpg)



7) Brace the camera with one hand (LensCap04a.jpg)  



Lay the top of the stick against the string and apply a counter-clockwise force to the bottom of the stick (LensCap04b.jpg)  


You should see your barrel mark moving.  If not, twist the stick for more tension and try again.

"clove hitch" ?!?  For those of us without any Boy Scout (or Girl Scout) experience you got some advice for the knot typing impaired?

Here is a link that will make it easy to understand: animatedknots.com - clove hitch

I don't think the part you are removing was intended by DJI to serve as user-removable "lens cap".  Removing this part this way could void your warranty.  The only other report of this "lens cap" coming off a P3 was as the result of a crash.  

Tahoe Ed or DJI Autumn - is there any input you can offer on this - is this P3 camera lens cover intended to be user-removable?

david.p.mann@ea Posted at 2015-5-13 05:05
I don't think the part you are removing was intended by DJI to serve as user-removable "lens cap".   ...

WHACK! Ok, rap me on the knuckles for that.  

Be that as it may, until DJI gets around to actually offering the "no known date of release" ND and Polarizing filter, I'm a gonna McGiver me up a way to git-r-done!

That is not a lens cap, its the clear filter or UV filter. A lens cap is something different

david.p.mann@ea Posted at 2015-5-13 05:05
I don't think the part you are removing was intended by DJI to serve as user-removable "lens cap".   ...

HA!

From what I have seen, taking it out of the box voids the warranty.

suqsid.bobmail Posted at 2015-5-13 15:39
HA!

From what I have seen, taking it out of the box voids the warranty.

that sir, was funny

david.p.mann@ea Posted at 2015-5-13 05:05
I don't think the part you are removing was intended by DJI to serve as user-removable "lens cap".   ...

"[size=40.3942108154297px]The only other report of this "lens cap" coming off a P3 was as the result of a crash."
[size=40.3942108154297px]

[size=40.3942108154297px]That would be us.   However, the lens "cover" didn't come off as a result of the crash.  I took it off so we could replace the glass ourselves.  It twisted off with barely any effort; no fancy string or knots required :-P  DJI is supposed to get back to me about a replacement part.

Although Tahoe Ed has not as yet commented on this thread, he did post this response in another forum discussion indicating: "The P3 camera has a removable lens cover"  

http://forum.dji.com/forum.php?m ... 3&fromuid=25539

Now, I hope some vendors soon offer high-quality screw-on ND filters that would make use of this threaded connection.  The few ND filters available for the P3 to date just push over the existing lens cover using a friction fit and are not very attractive.

Daninho Posted at 2015-5-13 12:27
That is not a lens cap, its the clear filter or UV filter. A lens cap is something different

Ok, I'll not quibble over that.  I renamed the thread: "How to remove a stuck lens cover"

Thank you so much - I will try that!
Very nice explanation. Much appreciated.

-

Buy your DJI-gear, batteries, cases by using this link - it'll help me out

david.p.mann@ea Posted at 2015-5-14 01:20
Although Tahoe Ed has not as yet commented on this thread, he did post this response in another foru ...

PolarPro offers a filter pack for the P3. I just ordered it. http://polarprofilters.com/shop/DJI-Phantom-3-Filter

Abe Posted at 2015-6-4 09:16
PolarPro offers a filter pack for the P3. I just ordered it. http://polarprofilters.com/shop/DJI-P ...

I also ordered these.  Should ship next week.

Hey gil,

You have a picture with the lens cover removed?

Godrone.me Posted at 2015-6-7 20:40
Hey gil,

You have a picture with the lens cover removed?

Apologies, no.  This is from another thread and should give you an idea.

I used rubber electrical tape to get a better grip.  It came off easily.

gil Posted at 2015-6-8 01:56
Apologies, no.  This is from another thread and should give you an idea.

Thanks Gil, much appreciated, was wondering if it would be worth taking it off and place an ND filter inside, seems worth the trouble.

Fulgerite Posted at 2015-6-8 02:59
I used rubber electrical tape to get a better grip.  It came off easily.

Thanks - single wrap of electrical tape on UV Filter only made it easy to grip and unscrew the filter.

You can just use a rubber band as well, the cap isn't really on tight its just hard to get a good grip.  The oil on your hands tends to make it slip.  Just put a rubber band at the contact points for your fingers and it unscrews easy, even if it feels stuck with your naked hand/fingers.

imdjay Posted at 2015-5-14 00:29
that sir, was funny

I have to agree - it made me laugh out loud - and that doesn't happen too often!

kevinr621 Posted at 2015-7-3 07:20
I have to agree - it made me laugh out loud - and that doesn't happen too often!

PolarPro or PhantomFilters?? difference? cost wise Phantom has the edge but only offers the 'lens', PolarPro seems to offer the whole 'screw-on lens'... ADVICE please?

Lens cap removes easly, just don't use a death grip to try and remove it, it won't move. I just used my fingertips on the outside edges and gently applied a twisting pressure and it came loose.

Mine seemed like it was pretty stuck. I tried to remove it gently but it wouldn't budge. What I ended up doing was wrapping a zip tie around the lens cap and pulled the zip tie tight. Then I used the long zip tie end for leverage to spin the cap off. The cap actually came off really easy using this method. I attribute it to the evenly applied pressure.

kevinr621 Posted at 2015-7-3 07:24
PolarPro or PhantomFilters?? difference? cost wise Phantom has the edge but only offers the 'lens' ...

There is THIS... is it not what you all are looking for?
I almost bought it but when checking out they wanted to charge $20 bucks just to ship... ridiculous.

Butch

I managed to get my lens off, but I am curious about the other "filters" that are offered... some show un-screwing the existing lens and installing a piece of plastic filter inside the lens.... then there are other that show a "Slip-on" over existing lens without having to unscrew... reviews on each would be great! - which one works the best and how do they perform?

kevinr621 Posted at 2015-7-23 10:00
I managed to get my lens off, but I am curious about the other "filters" that are offered... some sh ...

I broke my UV lens trying to clean it before inserting the ND filter inside the lens cover. As there is a need to change ND filters in the field, I don't want to be doing this. I prefer the push on's for this reason.

mikedaniels Posted at 2015-7-23 10:56
I broke my UV lens trying to clean it before inserting the ND filter inside the lens cover. As the ...

Sorry if I missed it - which companies are selling push ons?

AlmostTan Posted at 2015-7-23 14:53
Sorry if I missed it - which companies are selling push ons?

Of course I can't find my info on the one I bought. Low cost , ND9 push on. It doesn't look the greatest, but it works fine. I think there are a few more vendors out there that offer push ons.

AlmostTan Posted at 2015-7-23 14:53
Sorry if I missed it - which companies are selling push ons?

This is not the one I bought but it's an example

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271930297304?rmvSB=true

AlmostTan Posted at 2015-7-23 14:53
Sorry if I missed it - which companies are selling push ons?

Sorry for all the reply s

http://www.snakeriverprototyping ... d-nd168-filter.aspx

mikedaniels Posted at 2015-7-23 15:11
Sorry for all the reply s

http://www.snakeriverprototyping.com/Products/p3-series-graduated-nd168 ...

Thanks for the links, I really appreciate it! I do like that design much more!

The rubber band worked perfectly.  I was very surprised how easy it came off with almost no pressure.  So, whatever you use for the grip, don't squeeze the lens really hard or anything, it's not stuck.  Just hard to grip.

david.p.mann@ea Posted at 2015-5-13 05:05
I don't think the part you are removing was intended by DJI to serve as user-removable "lens cap".   ...

Wrong  DJI sell an ND Filter as a replacement for the UV one installed.  if they did not want you to remove it they would not sell you a ND one.

jason.sforza@gm Posted at 2015-7-4 05:12
Mine seemed like it was pretty stuck. I tried to remove it gently but it wouldn't budge. What I ende ...

I tried every tool in my tool box to get the lens loose with no luck, then I tried you zip tie tick and it work and came off easy.
Thanks
Jerry

mikedaniels Posted at 2015-7-23 15:07
This is not the one I bought but it's an example

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271930297304?rmvSB=true ...

This is the one that I purchased. I like them for the quick and easy "pop them on and off" capabilities. The case is handy too.

I used a fitness rubber band or terraband, super easy

sorensenjerry@y Posted at 2015-8-6 03:22
I tried every tool in my tool box to get the lens loose with no luck, then I tried you zip tie tic ...

You're welcome!

jason.sforza@gm Posted at 2015-8-7 06:18
You're welcome!

So does the filter come off on the 4k version of the camera? If so, mines stuck solid!

Thank you Gil for posting this!
l'm a woman and don't have a very strong finger grip (l need help with lids, lol). l used a different version of your technique. ln place of the string, l took a length of Scotch tape/sellotape and twisted it on itself so it was grippy all the way around, wrapped it around the lens, twisted a stick in the ends and turned it. lt came off right away.