Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

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Paul_R_Canada
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p.1 #1 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

I'm looking to buy some quality filters for some canon "L" glass, I started a thread on what brands and have decided on B&W filters. In that thread MAXSAVER (aka Hvstar on ebay) out of Hong Kong was recommended.

At first I was quite excited by the low prices (who doesn't want to save a few bucks?) but I'm a digger and have unearthed some reviews and sites that claim these are fakes. now I'm unsure.

If I bought one I have absolutely no way of testing them to confrm they are legit and unless you have unit you can test filters neither can you.

This surfaced

http://mainlinephoto.wordpress.com/2009/07/15/name-them-and-shame-them-fake-filter-sellers-on-ebay-caught-redhanded/

searching the Schneider Optics USA site and looking through the listings of international sellers - there is only one in Hong Kong - and it's not MAXSAVER.

This Hong Kong seller might be seeding review sites, the boxes pictured look a bit different from the B&W boxes off the schneider site etc.

What am I after here? - I'm looking for some feedback from B&W purchasers, I'm trying to find out who's legit? I like a deal, but I'm not dropping $500+ on fakes - if I can't be sure I'll go somewhere I am sure. Suggestions for North American sellers?

I'd also like to hear from anyone that has purchased and had a bad experience or discovered they didn't get what they ordered (knock offs) , it would be good to have some knowledge and there's nothing like real life experience - and save someone else from a bad purchase at the very least.

I'm NOT trying to stir the pot, I just want the truth if I can find it.

Nov 02, 2009 at 11:18 PM

Bubble
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p.1 #2 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

i bought from them before and i can't really tell different from the one i bought from BH.

also, that article is a blog.

Nov 02, 2009 at 11:25 PM

Paul_R_Canada
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p.1 #3 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

Bubble wrote:
i bought from them before and i can't really tell different from the one i bought from BH.

also, that article is a blog.

Yes I'd noticed that - it just raises some red flags.

Nov 02, 2009 at 11:27 PM

molson
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p.1 #4 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

What difference does it make? If you're into compromising image quality by putting "protective" filters on all of your lenses, I doubt if you would notice the difference between a good filter and a cheap one... buy the cheap ones, save some money, and don't worry about it.

Nov 02, 2009 at 11:53 PM

Greg Feldman
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p.1 #5 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

Ouch.

To be fair, one can also purchase polarizers and NDs from them.

Nov 03, 2009 at 12:01 AM

n0b0
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p.1 #6 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

Don't quote me on this but I heard that the B+W filters for the Asian market has slightly different look to them, maybe to differentiate the region since they can't possibly sell those filters at a European price, you know... like those DVD region 1/2/3/4 codes.

That blog says "the prices these guys sell them for is less than a distributors cost!". Well, the Australian RRP for 1Ds3 is almost double the American RRP. My point? Just because the Hongkong price is very cheap to them, doesn't necessarily means that they're fake. Different price for different market.

That blog also says "we order most of our stock 12 months in advance", which means they're also selling filters. Looks like they're just a disgruntled seller who's been undercut by those Asian ebay sellers. They also don't seem to have any concrete proof, just a bunch of accusations. Throw in a statistic to make it look more convicing.

Take it with a grain of salt.

Nov 03, 2009 at 12:01 AM

Mirek Elsner
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p.1 #7 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

I have four filters from them and they are not fakes.

Nov 03, 2009 at 12:07 AM

n0b0
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p.1 #8 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

molson wrote:
What difference does it make? If you're into compromising image quality by putting "protective" filters on all of your lenses, I doubt if you would notice the difference between a good filter and a cheap one... buy the cheap ones, save some money, and don't worry about it.

Nov 03, 2009 at 12:13 AM

Paul_R_Canada
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p.1 #9 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

n0b0 wrote:
Don't quote me on this but I heard that the B+W filters for the Asian market has slightly different look to them, maybe to differentiate the region since they can't possibly sell those filters at a European price, you know... like those DVD region 1/2/3/4 codes.

That blog says "the prices these guys sell them for is less than a distributors cost!". Well, the Australian RRP for 1Ds3 is almost double the American RRP. My point? Just because the Hongkong price is very cheap to them, doesn't necessarily means that they're fake. Different price for different market.

That blog also says "we order most of our stock 12 months in advance", which means they're also selling filters. Looks like they're just a disgruntled seller who's been undercut by those Asian ebay sellers. They also don't seem to have any concrete proof, just a bunch of accusations. Throw in a statistic to make it look more convicing.

Take it with a grain of salt.

My problem, if you want to call it that, is I'm no longer sure. If I knew they were real B&W's I'd buy them.

I'm not basing this on that blog alone, reviews are mixed - I take all reviews with salt - I prefer a direct opinion (like this forum)

Thanks for the input

Nov 03, 2009 at 12:36 AM

Paul_R_Canada
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p.1 #10 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

Mirek Elsner wrote:
I have four filters from them and they are not fakes.

How do you know that?

Nov 03, 2009 at 12:37 AM

helimat
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p.1 #11 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

I have bought from them, they seem like the real deal, although I am not a filter 'expert'. I think n0b0 hit the nail on the head, the blog could just be a disgruntled seller who is having a hard time competing with the Asian sellers.

Nov 03, 2009 at 12:40 AM

Paul_R_Canada
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p.1 #12 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

Oh and nOBO I forgot to mention, I do understand that the prices can be drastically different world wide, we see it here too, there's some odd differences that has me wondering, the price only made me look twice and a bit deeper

The box, the schneider site shows all the boxes saying MADE IN GERMANY, the HK site does not and only one lens is advertised as made in germany. they also show aluminum not brass - is it possible they are made differently for the Asia market, I've heard of that too with other products.

Nov 03, 2009 at 12:44 AM

abam
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p.1 #13 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

"If you're into compromising image quality by putting "protective" filters on all of your lenses..."

god, not this sh!t again.

Nov 03, 2009 at 12:56 AM

helimat
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p.1 #14 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

abam wrote:
"If you're into compromising image quality by putting "protective" filters on all of your lenses..."

god, not this sh!t again.

Wait, is this a contentious issue?

Nov 03, 2009 at 01:19 AM

Paul_R_Canada
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p.1 #15 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

abam, you said it, I just ignored that whole thing, it's not worth the trouble or our time to dignify that

On a happier note

I found another old thread on this very topic, I have to say the amount of positive FM feedback has calmed my nervousness some, I'll pock around some more on their site and see what pops up.

BTW if anyones interested the 08 thread was

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/630239

Thanks for the info !

Nov 03, 2009 at 01:23 AM

colinandrew
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p.1 #16 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

They are the real deal, just not marked up. I've got a few

Nov 03, 2009 at 05:45 AM

kodakeos
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p.1 #17 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

I just get mine @ B+H, for a 60-70$ filter, whats a few bucks more to make sure its legit.

Nov 03, 2009 at 07:31 AM

gheller
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p.1 #18 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

PM sent (to avoid the can of worms war)

Nov 03, 2009 at 07:54 AM

Dudewithoutape
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p.1 #19 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

Please do keep us posted, I find this very interesting and may someday purchase from them too. I have to save my money for now, otherwise I'd jump. Just bought a T1i.

Nov 03, 2009 at 08:00 AM

ClintCritchlow
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p.1 #20 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

I ordered from them and was more than happy with them. They delivered the product very fast (I assume mail to San Francisco from HK will be faster than to most places) and everything went smooth. I was getting the B+W XS-Pro 82mm size so the price differences was $150-180 vs. $90. That was a big enough difference to try out the HK firm.

If they are fakes then they are about the best fakes that I have seen. They had halograms on the boxes and it was quality printing on the box. I'm no filter expert but they feel and look like the B + W or heliopan filters I have bought from legit US camera stores.

Nov 03, 2009 at 12:05 PM

n0b0
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p.1 #21 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

Paul (OP), I just noticed that link of yours is actually part of a Sydney based family run small photo gear business. It looks like the only filters they sell are B+W, so I can see how they feel threatened by those ebay sellers.

As I said earlier, the retail prices of photographic equipments here in Aussie are ridiculously high. Us Aussies can save up to half the cost of retail price here by buying from those ebay sellers. Eg. Maxsaver mentioned in the blog sells B+W 77mm ND 106 for AU$86 while that Mainline shop sells for AU$160. To put into perspective, Adorama sells it for US$91.50 or about AU$101, closer to Maxsaver price than to that Mainline shop. You can see why they became a crusader against "fake" filters.

Anyway, I've emailed the Hongkong distributor for Schneider. Hopefully they'll be forthcoming with their answer.

Edited on Nov 03, 2009 at 02:08 PM · View previous versions

Nov 03, 2009 at 01:34 PM

michael49
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p.1 #22 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

Paul_R_Canada wrote:
I'm looking to buy some quality filters for some canon "L" glass, I started a thread on what brands and have decided on B&W filters. In that thread MAXSAVER (aka Hvstar on ebay) out of Hong Kong was recommended...

Legit, I've bought many filters from them.

Nov 03, 2009 at 01:35 PM

gotak
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p.1 #23 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

Yeah... I just tipped my bag of lens onto the wet Toronto streets yesterday night, as I had forgotten I opened the zipper on the backpack (btw the sound of a 70-200 2.8 IS hitting the floor is the sound of a heart attack I tell you!). The lens cap came off on impact and rolled under my car. Had to fish around in the wet for it. After this I think I'll keep my UV filters on. In this case no damage even to the CPOL on the front of the lens, or so far as I can see but here's to crossed fingers.

A quality filter vs random cheap one is pretty apparent as well. Had a cheap UV with my 17-50 from the seller and it causes ghosting. New Kenko filter and no issue with ghosting anymore.

And yes my last couple of filters were either 2nd hand or from Maxsaver. They are good they even find ways for you to avoid the government "living, breathing" fee

.

I seriously doubt protective filter really degrade your images as some L lens require one to become fully weather sealed.

Nov 03, 2009 at 01:44 PM

jamesf99
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p.1 #24 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

Paul_R_Canada wrote:
.......I'm NOT trying to stir the pot, I just want the truth if I can find it.

OK, so you want the truth, but what are you willing to do and/or pay to find out?

I don't want to touch the UV filter thing because it's a can of worms, but since you're wasting money (ooops, sorry, that just slipped out

) and want them, buy one of each and then tell the rest of us.

Compare the "real" one with the "suspect" one, and then tell everyone here. What do you have to lose? The answer is very little. If you determine that you received a fake, tell the vendor and demand your money back. Tell your Visa (or whatever) card company that you were defrauded and refuse to pay. Voila! Problem solved...

Why stress over it anymore when you can be the one that's knowledgeable, satisfied, and most importantly, not ripped off? All it takes is 5 minutes of your time with each vendor and it's on its (the sample) way....

Nov 03, 2009 at 02:55 PM

Navyblue
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p.1 #25 · Filter sellers - legit or fakes ?

I'd not buy it if it says "B&W", I only go for the B+W ones.

Also I'm not sure if I'd buy from B+H too, as my experience with B&H has always been good.

Nov 03, 2009 at 03:21 PM


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