Beware of FAKE Hoya HMC filters on Ebay

LongLensPhotography

LongLensPhotography

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So I finally got stung http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120469449067&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

The loss is not very big but I feel very annoyed.

The filter is very reflective, possibly has no coating at all, the text on the rim is slightly slanted and in larger font than the genuine one. It is even difficult to screw in. I guess no filter is better than this.

Genuine vs fake comparison can be found here http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/682552/+73

Shall I make a paypal claim or attempt a diy star-burst effect filter?
 
The fake Hoya filter issue has come up a number of times.

I suspect many "Hoyas" on Ebay are fake. Especially the ones coming from HK / China at 20% of the UK price.

Seller probably didn't know. Same issue with Sandisk fakes really.
 
I tend to stay away from ebay when buying memory cards, didn't realise there are fake filters as well!
 
I lived in the middle east and had many Chinese friends...with that combination you soon realise that there is fake everything out there! Seriously brilliant fakes to crappy cheap copies...phones, cameras, all accessories, medicines, car parts, clothes, DVD's, food, condoms, tvs...
 
puddleduck said:
I suspect many "Hoyas" on Ebay are fake. Especially the ones coming from HK / China at 20% of the UK price.
Click to expand...

Change that many to "most" I think. All you can do really is try and stick to the better known sellers outside of China, at least if you have a problem then you have a better chance of resolving it.
 
Hmm, i just bought one on ebay...I guess there is no way to tell until i get it in my hand.
 
If there are that many fakes being sold on Ebay how are they being allowed to trade, are they just not being reported, or am I correct in thinking Ebay do not care because a large part of their revenue comes from Chinese sellers.
 
Raymond Lin said:
Hmm, i just bought one on ebay...I guess there is no way to tell until i get it in my hand.
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There are some clues that could help to spot fake. The rear of the box should reveal it

Hoya01.jpg


Fake
Hoya02.jpg


The markings on the thread should be small and there should be about 2mm above and underneath.
Hoya04.jpg
 
What exactly does Arrow 3 pointing at exactly ?

And it doesn't help the fact that i couldn't tell until i get it lol
 
I got caught in the last couple of weeks. I knew it was a fake when it arrived as it just looked "wrong". The box printing was of poor quality compared to other filters I have. In hindsight looking at the listing I should have known better!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170377125219

I've opened a PayPal dispute (You can select the reason for the dispute as "fake"). I'll let you know how I get on.

Barney
 
Barney12 said:
I got caught in the last couple of weeks. I knew it was a fake when it arrived as it just looked "wrong". The box printing was of poor quality compared to other filters I have. In hindsight looking at the listing I should have known better!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170377125219

I've opened a PayPal dispute (You can select the reason for the dispute as "fake"). I'll let you know how I get on.

Barney
Click to expand...

100% GENUIEN[
Click to expand...

I wonder what that means :bat:

I still need to get the 77mm filter sorted for Tokina 12-24mm. I wonder if Super HMC or digital pro would benefit this specific lens in therms of flare I get in contra light (e.g. street lights or the Moon)?

I guess the new Kenko dmc ones on ebay are all fakes?!
 
Barney12 said:
I got caught in the last couple of weeks. I knew it was a fake when it arrived as it just looked "wrong". The box printing was of poor quality compared to other filters I have. In hindsight looking at the listing I should have known better!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170377125219

I've opened a PayPal dispute (You can select the reason for the dispute as "fake"). I'll let you know how I get on.

Barney
Click to expand...

As promised, an update...... Seller refunded my money in full. Claimed he had bought them from a "reputable" Hong Kong supplier. He seemed rather keen that I didn't leave negative feedback!

Barney
 
Sadly the old adage that " if it looks too good to be true, it probably is" holds true

You have my sympathy as it looks to come from a reputable uk seller rather than one of the obviously fake sources

Glad you got a refund through but would be interesting to see if the seller continues to list them
 
I'm not so sure about the pointers on the cases as being good indicators of fakes or not, I have hoya cases that don't have some of those features on them but were bought from very reputable suppliers in this country. I also have a skylight filter with the large text font on that was purchased again from a reputable supplier in the UK some 10 years ago.
 
I used to get all mine from eBay and stick them straight onto my new lenses. Always struggled to get the clean and tack sharp shots with my L lenses that everyone else did- especially in controlled enviroment of studio. Was just about to send my body back to canon when I spotted a post on here about fake filters. Took all mine off and the difference in sharpness was instant. Like the people above have stated- you get what you pay for and compared to costs of a lens a genuine filter is a worthy investment.

Lesson learned for me :thumbs: and once again it was down to the great resource that is TP!
 
The other problem with these filters is the damage they do to the genuine used market. Try selling a very expensive polarizer for instance and just see the number of "I can buy a new one on eBay for £20" comments you get
 
daveproctor said:
The other problem with these filters is the damage they do to the genuine used market. Try selling a very expensive polarizer for instance and just see the number of "I can buy a new one on eBay for £20" comments you get
Click to expand...

Let them buy the cheap one:lol::lol::lol: and let them learn from their mistakes. Expensive mistake in the long run that is.
 
I always check an ebay sellers price against the big HK sellers before I buy.
If they are a lot cheaper than the likes of onestop digital then I avoid them.
I've just received a Hoya Pro1 72mm CPL and it is genuine.
This is the 4th Hoya Pro1 I have bought via ebay and none have been fakes.
UK retailers seem to have massive mark up on these compared to HK so there are some decent sellers on ebay out there.
 
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