Anyone order Botero #23 5x7 background from B&H?

[mrloofer]

I ordered the Botero #23 5x7 background from B&H but when it arrived I noticed that it was solid gray on both sides. According to the reviews on the site, David Hobby's lighting DVD and other users' photos this background is supposed to have one side solid gray and the other a textured, smoky look to it. Can anyone confirm this?

I talked to B&H and they were like "yeah, it's supposed to be solid gray". But all other evidence shows this is not true. I even tried calling Botero directly but they don't speak very good English and I had a hard time asking them.

Any help appreciated.

[Moonjo]

My understanding of the color of the background is that it's dark gray on both sides. I have the Strobis DVDs as a well, and I don't recall David Hobby saying/showing a lighter side to the background. He does put a gel on a speedlight and change the color of the background, but he does that using the dark gray color.

I see a couple of reviews on BH's site that refers to the other side being a lighter gray, but I'm not sure if they are refering to #23 or possibly another Botero background.

Regardless, I plan to purchase the background next month, or perhaps before the end of this month. Other than the color issue, do you like the background?

[mrloofer]

Hi Moonjo - to be honest I'm having a heck of a time figuring this out. The background David uses on his DVD is clearly textured, it may be dark gray but it's not a solid gray. You can see that in the images here: http://shutter-fug.blogspot.com/2008/10/botero-5x7-collapsible.html

B&H are giving me the run around saying no it's solid gray yet every review or photo I look at has the textured effect which is clearly not visible on mine.

Also, mine came with a big dark stain or splotch right in the middle so I'm sending it back anyway. So far I'm not impressed.

[Moonjo]

That's too bad. Though, my expectations were that of it being dark gray with no patterns. I think I'll still order one. If you find a different background that works the same way as Botero let us know. It may be that with each production cycle there are variances with the final product.

Oh, you might be happier with this background, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=271103&is=REG

I was originally going to get that one but the Botero is considerably cheaper. Though, as often is the case, you may get what you paid for.

[mrloofer]

For reference this *should* be the texture of the Botero #23:

http://loughers.smugmug.com/photos/442169177_X85Mk-M.jpg

[Moonjo]

Yeah, I just found your thread on flickr. I'm guessing it's the luck of the draw despite what BH is telling you. The dark gray is still usable for me, though. But let me know if you find an alternative. The pattern would be nice to have.

[m3rdpwr]

Looked it up on BH and it shows no indication in the specifications that it is dual color or pattern.

Usually Botero, Impact and the like on BH site will indicate in the spec's whether it is two colors or not. Black and White is one example.

In BH's description, it just states #023 Dark Grey and nothing else.

Based on that, I would think that's what I would be getting if I looked at the description.

Some other examples:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=0&shs=collapsible+reverse+background&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=jsp%2Fproductlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

Stinks, but what are you gonna' do...

-Mario

[mrloofer]

Okay here's what mine looks like (excuse crap quality):

http://loughers.smugmug.com/photos/442219608_782Kh-M.jpg

And the *real* Botero #23:

http://loughers.smugmug.com/photos/442081953_vTLoV-M.jpg

Same thing? I don't think so. These are clearly different products.

[bobbyz]

I think you ordered the wrong product.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/303021-REG/Botero_C02357__023_Collapsible_Background_.html

#23 clearly says dark gray only. Here is a picture from B&H web site.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/303021.jpg

The one you want is looks like mottled gray. Botero has a streaked gray which looks similar.

[mrloofer]

I would say that the one on the B&H site looks more like the one I posted above (not mine, the other one).

Anyway, I talked to B&H again and they are completely clueless so I'm getting a refund and will get a similar one from somewhere else. Question is where! Does anyone know of a similar product that has the same texture look?

Thanks.

[Moonjo]

You didn't like the lastolite one? Here are some sample shots of the background. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=541191&highlight=collapsible+background

[m3rdpwr]

I would have to agree with bobbyz on this one.

BH clearly shows an even color.
The slight differance on the website is most likely from the way they lit it for display purposes.

If it's within the return period and you are truly unhappy with it, explain to BH that you don't think it's nothing like the web page. Perhaps they will eat the return shipping...

-Mario

I think you ordered the wrong product.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/303021-REG/Botero_C02357__023_Collapsible_Background_.html

#23 clearly says dark gray only. Here is a picture from B&H web site.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/303021.jpg

The one you want is looks like mottled gray. Botero has a streaked gray which looks similar.

[mrloofer]

What I don't understand though is that everyone else that ordered the same product (and it's only B&H that sell it) got the textured one. I guess Botero changed it somewhere along the line after it became a popular item.

[m3rdpwr]

Are you sure you received a Botero background in the Botero box?!

Maybe someone played a funny.

I can't imagine Botero would change a product without changing the part number as well...

-Mario

What I don't understand though is that everyone else that ordered the same product (and it's only B&H that sell it) got the textured one. I guess Botero changed it somewhere along the line after it became a popular item.

[mrloofer]

That's the thing, it says #23 on the carry bag but there is nothing on the actual item itself, no label apart from Botero's contact info. My assumption is they put the wrong one in the bag but when I talked to them (B&H) they didn't even want to double check, just gave me some excuse that "well that's how it is and we can refund you or send you the same item". I've never ordered anything from B&H before and after this will never again.

[Moonjo]

Sorry that your first experience with BH didn't go well. I've ordered from them plenty of times but I have never returned anything to them. But like you said, I don't know anyone else who sells the Botero backgrounds. If you find some other retailer let us know.

[m3rdpwr]

BH is usually pretty good.

I've had a snafu with my last couple orders that are being rectified as we speak.

However, I've placed so many orders with them.

If you are unhappy, call them and tell them you want a full refund and have them send you a pre-paid label.

However, BH is one of the better places out there, and I doubt you will be happy elsewhere.

-Mario

[Moonjo]

Not sure if it matters now, but I found Botero's web site, http://fondosbotero.com/homeenglish.htm. (http://fondosbotero.com/homeenglish.htm)

If you click on Texturized on the left hand side, then click on gallery, you can click through their various backgrounds. Once you get to #23 you can see the dark gray does have texture to it. Don't know if B&H will bother to look it up if you tell them about the site, though, given your experience thus far. I did notice the copyright date of the image is marked 2003.

[mrloofer]

Thanks Moonja that is useful to know and I will make another attempt to talk to B&H about it and show them that site. It kinda irks me that they didn't bother to look into it further but then again they're so big and have thousands of requests they probably don't have the time or resources.

It's a shame because I really liked this background and will now have to look to alternatives. Maybe I'll stick with just black and white for the time being..

[m3rdpwr]

They will listen as I had to point them to a link when I got the wrong boom.

Just be patient when you call and be polite.

Eventually you will find someone more helpful than the 1st person you talked to...

-Mario

Thanks Moonja that is useful to know and I will make another attempt to talk to B&H about it and show them that site. It kinda irks me that they didn't bother to look into it further but then again they're so big and have thousands of requests they probably don't have the time or resources.

It's a shame because I really liked this background and will now have to look to alternatives. Maybe I'll stick with just black and white for the time being..

[Moonjo]

mrloofer, did you finally end up with the right background?