Did I get a fake B+W filter?

[717]

It has no seals at all on the cardboard or the inner plastic case. The QR code that is supposed to be able to be verified with B+W just resolves to their main web site, it gives no numeric code to enter. Also the filter shows a green tint to a reflection from a light. (It is a UV filter)

 

[JohnWick4001]

Straight from China

 

[FrancoD]

Take a look at this thread

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/62756247

 

[jerry1]

Can't go by that thread and the pics of the boxes. Even the makers of B&W say that. They have a new hologram on the boxes too with a code that you can use to check on their site. But even that isn't proof because mine came with the older hologram that has a number on it and when I punched in the number and info on their site it comes back as invalid so they've done something to mess that up. I got mine a few years back from B&H and they still have my purchase order on their site in my account so I know I bought from B&H. I don't think B&H is selling fakes. But I would be careful of buying anything on eBay or amazon unless amazon is selling and shipping it. btw, the box mine came in doesn't have embossed white letters but some of the other descriptions are embossed. Mine weighed at about 42 pounds.

 

[threw the lens]

Well, test it.

When you look through it, is everything in black and white or not?

 

[Jonsi]

Can't go by that thread and the pics of the boxes. Even the makers of B&W say that. They have a new hologram on the boxes too with a code that you can use to check on their site. But even that isn't proof because mine came with the older hologram that has a number on it and when I punched in the number and info on their site it comes back as invalid so they've done something to mess that up. I got mine a few years back from B&H and they still have my purchase order on their site in my account so I know I bought from B&H. I don't think B&H is selling fakes.

Who knows... They've done it before.

But I would be careful of buying anything on eBay or amazon unless amazon is selling and shipping it. btw, the box mine came in doesn't have embossed white letters but some of the other descriptions are embossed. Mine weighed at about 42 pounds.

Empty? Or does that include the filter?

 

[jerry1]

Well, that was an interesting article. I guess it's possible that I got a bad one then but if so it's a very high quality filter and works great. My guess is that it's the real deal though. And nah, just the filter weighed about 42 grams lol, not 42 pounds. My head has been somewhere else lately. Thanks for the link to the article too. I remember a lot of fake batteries going around.

 

[R Liewenberger]

It has no seals at all on the cardboard or the inner plastic case. The QR code that is supposed to be able to be verified with B+W just resolves to their main web site, it gives no numeric code to enter. Also the filter shows a green tint to a reflection from a light. (It is a UV filter)

That greenish tint to the reflection of a light source seems to be normal. Just checked three of my B+W MRC-coated UV-filters (58, 77 and 82mm) with the F-PRO rim (B+W 010 UV-Haze 1x MRC), all bought from reputable German dealers in 2008, 2017 and 2018; they all show that greenish tint.

EDIT: It is normal, saw it mentioned in some B+W filter FAQ, talking about a greenish/blueish shimmer.

The same with a year 2014 or 2015 67mm 'B+W 007 CLEAR MRC nano' with the shorter 'XS-PRO DIGITAL' rim.

About that QR numerical code number: Looking at the B+H website, it seems this code number thing is a relatively new feature, so maybe your filter is older stock, still without that code number? Or maybe your QR reading app can't see this number? I can't check this numerical code number thing as I neither have an idea where I put the old filter boxes or if I still have them at all, nor can my mobile phone take any pictures. (But it has three weeks of standby-time and can do great phone calls! :-D )

From B+H ( https://schneiderkreuznach.com/en/authenticity-check ):

"Authenticity check

Why should I check the authenticity?

In order to guarantee the greatest possible security against product counterfeiting (product piracy), the function of the previous security label has been extended.
Each security/hologram label contains an individual QR numerical code, which can be read with a smartphone and a corresponding QR reading app. Via our online portal it can thus be checked for authenticity.

The numerical structure consists of a highly secure encryption, which reliably prevents the repetition or guessing of numerical codes. The query is carried out via a secure server system and can be accessed worldwide. The numerical codes are not stored, but only retrieved. This results in a very short response time. Misuse of the system is largely excluded.

The hologram label itself is particularly secure against manipulation. An unnoticed removal and reapplication is not possible. The adhesive force and the material structure are designed in such a way that the label destroys itself when attempting to peel it off. The security ink is applied between two layers of material. This means that a separation effect occurs when the label is peeled off, and any manipulation is immediately visible. In addition, the numerical coding is also located between the material layers in such a way that it cannot be accessed.

By registering the product and clarifying the numerical code via an Internet connection, every user can easily and perfectly determine whether the B+W filter is an original product."

Interesting when looking this up: I knew about B+W's F-PRO and XS-PRO rims; their newest line seems to be something called 'T-PRO'. Dimensions of the rims are comparable or close to XS-PRO, what's new seems to be mainly the Titanium color. And the higher price!

Another EDIT: XS-PRO is slimmer than F-PRO; the Titanium color finish T-PRO is even a little slimmer than XS-PRO:




https://schneiderkreuznach.com/de/fotooptik/b-w-filter/fassungen-1



Liewenberger

 

[CameraCarl]

Where did you buy it and how much did you pay?

 

[Phil A Martin]

Straight from China

Yes I bought a quick release plate from China which was described as Manfrotto compatible, except it's not, the Manfrotto plates are about 1mm too large too fit.

It was also faulty on arrival.

 

[717]

Where did you buy it and how much did you pay?

It was from Adorama via Ebay and was $29.00 plus shipping. What first got me thinking about it being fake/used/??? was there were no seals at all on the box or the inner plastic case.

To their credit, Adorama took it back no problem, so I have no complaint about their customer service. I bought a Hoya NXT Plus from them, hopefully that one will be real or at least faked well enough to be sealed up.

 

[Andy873]

I always find it amusing when people are frustrated they can't tell if something they have is fake, when the only reason one might want to get a genuine one is its supposed superior performance.

I mean if you can't tell, maybe it doesn't matter if it's genuine.

 

[Jonsi]

I always find it amusing when people are frustrated they can't tell if something they have is fake, when the only reason one might want to get a genuine one is its supposed superior performance.

I mean if you can't tell, maybe it doesn't matter if it's genuine.

If you pay genuine prices you should receive genuine product.

 

[Andy873]

I always find it amusing when people are frustrated they can't tell if something they have is fake, when the only reason one might want to get a genuine one is its supposed superior performance.

I mean if you can't tell, maybe it doesn't matter if it's genuine.

If you pay genuine prices you should receive genuine product.

But why did you pay for the genuine product? Because of the performance no?

 

[FrancoD]

I always find it amusing when people are frustrated they can't tell if something they have is fake, when the only reason one might want to get a genuine one is its supposed superior performance.

I mean if you can't tell, maybe it doesn't matter if it's genuine.

What you say can make sense from one point of view but let's look it at a different way.

You spend a few years designing and then making a product.

After that you spend decades improving the product, establishing the brand and steadily gaining goodwill.

Then someone makes something similar, puts your name on it and sells it as if it were yor product.

Stll happy now ?

 

[Jonsi]

I always find it amusing when people are frustrated they can't tell if something they have is fake, when the only reason one might want to get a genuine one is its supposed superior performance.

I mean if you can't tell, maybe it doesn't matter if it's genuine.

If you pay genuine prices you should receive genuine product.

But why did you pay for the genuine product? Because of the performance no?

Performance, build quality, warranty, resale value, etc. There are numerous reasons to pay for genuine product. Many of which don't fall under "hey, if you can't tell the difference, who cares?"

 

[717]

I always find it amusing when people are frustrated they can't tell if something they have is fake, when the only reason one might want to get a genuine one is its supposed superior performance.

I mean if you can't tell, maybe it doesn't matter if it's genuine.

If you pay genuine prices you should receive genuine product.

But why did you pay for the genuine product? Because of the performance no?

Performance, build quality, warranty, resale value, etc. There are numerous reasons to pay for genuine product. Many of which don't fall under "hey, if you can't tell the difference, who cares?"

Maybe I could tell the difference if I had them side by side, but I didn't order two of them. Also this is like asking who cares if your Nikon is really a Nikon or some Chinese knockoff with a fake logo. If I pay for something, I expect to get it. If I spend $1,000 for a Rolex, I do very much care if I get a $30 knockoff.

* I do have a $50 knockoff of an SB-800. It has some Chinese name on it and I knew very well I wasn't getting the real thing. It works well enough, but I got to make that choice

 

[Andy873]

I always find it amusing when people are frustrated they can't tell if something they have is fake, when the only reason one might want to get a genuine one is its supposed superior performance.

I mean if you can't tell, maybe it doesn't matter if it's genuine.

What you say can make sense from one point of view but let's look it at a different way.

You spend a few years designing and then making a product.

After that you spend decades improving the product, establishing the brand and steadily gaining goodwill.

Then someone makes something similar, puts your name on it and sells it as if it were yor product.

Stll happy now ?

Ok cool, but don't own B+W, so I don't really care.

 

[Andy873]

I always find it amusing when people are frustrated they can't tell if something they have is fake, when the only reason one might want to get a genuine one is its supposed superior performance.

I mean if you can't tell, maybe it doesn't matter if it's genuine.

If you pay genuine prices you should receive genuine product.

But why did you pay for the genuine product? Because of the performance no?

Performance, build quality,

You clearly can't tell, so presumably you are getting the same performance and build quality.

warranty,

Who gets warranty for filters? Do you also get a cheap filter to protect your expensive filter?

resale value,

If nobody can tell, it clearly doesn't affect resale value.

Also the resale value of filters is zero, nobody buys used filters, it's something you can give away with your lens as a tie breaker in case someone else is also buying.

I have a stack of Zeiss, B+W, Hoya and Optex filters yet I've never bought a single one, they're all from lenses I bought, I paid nothing for them, and when I resell I don't loose any value for not including them.

etc. There are numerous reasons to pay for genuine product. Many of which don't fall under "hey, if you can't tell the difference, who cares?"

Ok which one?

 

[FrancoD]

I always find it amusing when people are frustrated they can't tell if something they have is fake, when the only reason one might want to get a genuine one is its supposed superior performance.

I mean if you can't tell, maybe it doesn't matter if it's genuine.

What you say can make sense from one point of view but let's look it at a different way.

You spend a few years designing and then making a product.

After that you spend decades improving the product, establishing the brand and steadily gaining goodwill.

Then someone makes something similar, puts your name on it and sells it as if it were yor product.

Stll happy now ?

Ok cool, but don't own B+W, so I don't really care.

That is the problem.

Does it need to affect your pocket for you to see that it is wrong ?