first problems with a1 - lens fitment issue
 

I purchased some cheap lens covers from ebay (filters) and fitted one to the camcorder but decided to remove it to see how footage differs without it but i cant remove it.
When i turn the filter to unscrew it, the base it is screwed into also spins meaning it wont unscrew.

Any ideas ? as this is pi$5ing me right off :(

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...eduk/lens2.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...eduk/lens1.jpg

Use the Google search tool at the bottom of any page here and search for the terms filter and removal. I know we have threads discussing this because the subject has come up several times before.

Is that a circular polarizer?

It looks like a circular.
Hold the ring with the letters to unscrew.

If any filter is too tight, Try a piece of sheet silicone to grab the ring. It's used for placemats and jar lid openers. Many dollar stores have them or kitchen depts.

Or wait til the sun comes out, and see what differences the polariser can make - you need to point the camera at something 90 degrees to the direction of the sun (it doesn't really work in the middle of the day when the sun is overhead), then rotate the front part slowly to see how the view changes.

Thanks for your help, it turns out it was a polorizer and the spinning within the ring was normal.
I took it to a local camera specialist who quickly removed it using a small piece of leather shammois cloth.
He said he also uses the leather slightly damp to clean lenses and boy, did they come up spotless in only a few seconds.