Fake B+W filter?

[retour]

B+W 77mm UV MRC 1x

I got one from ebay from what looks like a genuine seller but it's similar to

http://mainlinephoto.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-real-and-fake-bw-filters/

i.e. it has B+W 010 UV Haze MRC, B+W, Made in Germany and F-Pro written on the outer rim at 4 corners .... And it has no laser engraving on the front of the rim

Now I did some more research and found the link below

http://maxsaver.net/types-of-b-w-uv-haze-filter.aspx

So it's the 3rd one from the left [2nd one from the right]

If we go by Hvstar then it's one of the four types of UV, this one being UV MRC with an alloy rim. But I was told it is a brass one so again the product is not what was described


So do you trust the Hvstar or the other site?

[John_B]

retour,
I have gotten a couple of B+W filters from Hvstar (maxsaver.net) and have been very happy :)

[retour]

That's nice to know that hvstar can be trusted .... I got it from a private seller and it appears that he probably got it from hvstar or from someone who got it from hvstar

In Canada, you only get the MRC in brass version, i guess, which is what causes the 'confusion'

But the seller did sell it to me claiming it's a brass one. I don't know if it's worth the hassle of shipping it back to him, if this one is a genuine one

[retour]

I contacted the seller about it and he refunded partial amount for it having aluminum mount and not brass as he believed

[tvphotog]

Maxsaver/hvstar is not an authorized B + W dealer; on the other hand, neither is B&H Photo. So there is no B + W wararnty from either of them; if there is a problem, you have to send it back to the vendor.

Interestingly, 2filter.com and Adorama are authorized B + W dealers. For my money, I shop at one or the other.

[pixelcrazy]

Below is an excerpt of comments from an email I received from Schneider Optics (manufacturer of B+W filters). I draw your attention to the comments highlighted in red. Goodluck

Because of varied requirements all around the world, there are different product ranges from B+W.
This can relate to packaging and mount markings, and the mount itself.
Photographs of boxes and the text on the filter will not confirm a legitimate B+W product.
Pending the source overseas, there may be an alloy ring or brass ring offered.
Schneider Optics, Inc. neither sells nor warranties those filters made for the overseas market.
We distribute B+W filters in brass mounts only, with one exception, the Slim mount circular polarizer.
This polarizer is only offered in aluminum for manufacturing reasons.
We hope you find this information useful in helping you understand why we cannot vouch for the authenticity of the product.
maxsaver is not authorized. mainlinephoto is. http://schneiderkreuznach.com/distribfilter.htm#neus
We recommend you purchase from an authorized B+W dealer.

Schneider Optics, Inc. is the authorized distributor in the U.S..

Worldwide distribution is handled by our parent company in Germany (Schneider Kreuznach).

They assign distributors who sell to dealers whom you can purchase from.

Both U.S. dealers and overseas distributors can be found here:
http://www.schneideroptics.com/dealers/dealers.htm

[retour]

Below is an excerpt of comments from an email I received from Schneider Optics (manufacturer of B+W filters). I draw your attention to the comments highlighted in red. Goodluck

Because of varied requirements all around the world, there are different product ranges from B+W.
This can relate to packaging and mount markings, and the mount itself.
Photographs of boxes and the text on the filter will not confirm a legitimate B+W product.
Pending the source overseas, there may be an alloy ring or brass ring offered.
Schneider Optics, Inc. neither sells nor warranties those filters made for the overseas market.
We distribute B+W filters in brass mounts only, with one exception, the Slim mount circular polarizer.
This polarizer is only offered in aluminum for manufacturing reasons.
We hope you find this information useful in helping you understand why we cannot vouch for the authenticity of the product.
maxsaver is not authorized. mainlinephoto is. http://schneiderkreuznach.com/distribfilter.htm#neus
We recommend you purchase from an authorized B+W dealer.

Schneider Optics, Inc. is the authorized distributor in the U.S..

Worldwide distribution is handled by our parent company in Germany (Schneider Kreuznach).

They assign distributors who sell to dealers whom you can purchase from.

Both U.S. dealers and overseas distributors can be found here:
http://www.schneideroptics.com/dealers/dealers.htm

What that email is implying is that B+W does make different variants of its filters but those sold through Schneider are brass mount except for the slim version .... As for the warranty, most ppl who buy from overseas market don't care much about the warranty anyways so that could be a moot point