MaxSaver/hvstar/besteastern B+W F-PRO MRC Variants

EDIT: Printing on the side is alloy version, printing in middle is brass.

I have been a Skeptical Free MaxSaver/ HvStar/ besteastern (same company) customer until today. I received one for my 85L on the right a month before the left one arrived. I never knew B+W has updated their F-Pro MRC line, it doesnt make sense to me. I will contact their Sales Manager and get back to you guys..

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It's listed here: http://www.schneiderop​tics.com …ail.aspx?CID=67​1&IID=4481

doesn't explain the product variation tho.
They are both F-PRO btw, infact their boxes read the same too
Having owned multiple B+W MRC UV Haze filters, I have never seen one with "72 010 UV Haze" marked on the outer rim.

I found this on MaxSaver's site:
While maintaining the excellent quality of materials, fabrication, and high mechanical stability, the new F-Pro mount has become thinner, so that now it can also be used on many wide-angle lenses without the danger of vignetting. Another advantage of the new F-Pro filter mount is its modified retaining ring, which is no longer threaded in from the front, but holds the filter glass in place from the back. This prevents the retaining ring from being accidentally loosened during the removal of an additional filter or a lens hood that has been screwed in too tightly.

Can anyone find anything to back this statement?

Either I don't know what we are talking here, or the left one is a fake B+W filter.
There is only one UV MRC B+W filter in F-PRO (which is the same as the right filter).

http://maxsaver.net …f-b-w-uv-haze-filter.aspx

Maybe Ive been buying BRASS version this whole time.. apparently the Alloy version has a different appearance

And yes, this is the new F-PRO ring (used to be longer back when F-PRO was created) but it's the one on the right!
The one on the left is clearly a fake filter (no front writing (at the edge of the filter) and the side writing is not how it's done on a genuine B+W).
I know B+W filters quite well btw.

The Alloy that B+W use is BRASS.

waynema wrote in post #8235644
http://maxsaver.net …f-b-w-uv-haze-filter.aspx

Maybe Ive been buying BRASS version this whole time.. apparently the Alloy version has a different appearance

Any updates on this? What is the final decision?

do a search, there has been many discussions. My understanding is B+W makes two version of f-pro ring, sold at different region of the world. The brass alloy one (right) in north america. The Al alloy (left) one is asin market. I have both, it seems the brass alloy one is tougher constructed. In terms of optics, I cannot tell the differences from the picture.

maia wrote in post #8235612
Either I don't know what we are talking here, or the left one is a fake B+W filter.
There is only one UV MRC B+W filter in F-PRO (which is the same as the right filter).

I'm with you...I had to read this thing three times to figure out the question.

rklepper wrote in post #8236726
The Alloy that B+W use is BRASS.

You're right. Technically, brass is an alloy comprised of copper and zinc. However, with regard to B+W filters, the term 'alloy' refers to their filters that are constructed with aluminum rings. F-Pro filters are available in both configurations..alloy and brass. The only filter not available in brass from B+W is the slim filter...isn't made with brass. You can tell which filter is constructed with brass by it's noticeably heavier weight. But you need to read the detailed descriptions very closely on the Maxsaver/hvstar site...people wrongly assume that the F-Pro is brass only. If it uses brass, it'll be mentioned in the detailed description.

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://schneiderkreuzn​ach.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.schneiderop​tics.com/dealers/deale​rs.htm

pixelcrazy wrote in post #9024935
Below is an excerpt of comments from an email I received from Schneider Optics (manufacturer of B+W filters). Please 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://schneiderkreuzn​ach.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.schneiderop​tics.com/dealers/deale​rs.htm

It sounds like you emailed the US distributor and not the actual manufacturer.

DDCSD wrote in post #9024958
It sounds like you emailed the US distributor and not the actual manufacturer.

No he is not.

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i.A.

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Tel.:+ 49(0)671 601 125

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Von: email censored
Bereitgestellt: Dienstag, 4. Mai 2010 03:28
Bereitgestellt in: sales
Unterhaltung: Enquiry on B+W filters
Betreff: Enquiry on B+W filters

Hi ,
I am wondering if maxsaver online (http://maxsaver.net/) is a legit reseller of B+W filters? I see that Schieder has a branch in ShenZen in China was wondering if they get the lenses from that branch ?