The aim of this guide is to draw attention to the sale of counterfeit B+W photographic filters currently swamping the market place via sites such as eBay.Be warned cheap filters does not equal real filters please read on!

One of our customers purchased what he thought was the deal of a lifetime on B+W UV filters but all he got were a bunch of fakes that are so well done that most would never know. Except that they are using unknown Chinese brand glass in front of their fine expensive optics.
One of his filters is used in the photos below.

These fakes are good, in fact they are very good copies. Which also means it must be a pretty big and well organised counterfeiting operation. But they are easily spotted when compared to the originals here is what to look for:

Fake vs Real:

The difference in weight. A genuine 77mm UV MRC weighs 45 grams a fake 35 grams.

Multicoating.  B+W filters will display strong coloured refections on the surface the fakes will not as they are not multi coated or at best cheaply coated.

No laser engraving: Fake B+W filters do not have the laser engraving on the front inside of the filter. They have it printed on the side of the ring.

Aluminium. Fakes are a gloss paint finish as they are aluminium! not brass. B+W filters are a flat or matt black finish.

Genuine B+W filters display this laser engraving on the front  fakes do not!

Last word... if you want to take the risk and buy on eBay from a far east seller then we hope this helps.

But even as ebay says... buyer beware.

With such professional copies out there we strongly recommend you purchase through your local distributor or their retail agents. Most distributors such as Mainlinephoto offer a 5 year full replacement warranty on B+W products.  Hong Kong sold products are not covered by factory 5 year warranty as if they are not fakes they are grey market goods.

If you have been sold what you feel are fake B+W filters then please report the seller to eBay. It is our only way to stop folks being sold cheap alloy and who knows what glass filters... brazenly branded B+W Made in Germany.

Thanks for reading

Mainlinephoto.