Posted by Paul DeCesare on July 23, 2009 at 11:46 AM
I went to B&H Photo and Adorama to price the Hoya 82mm HD CPL, and both have it for $308 (ouch!)
Then I come across this eBay auction. Is this price legit? And is this the same filter? Great price, but why, for the same filter?
Posted by Ramamohan Pai on July 23, 2009 at 12:04 PM
If it sounds too good to be true, it perhaps is. I have seen some shops (genuine) selling stuff lesser than B&H but the price differential was of the order of 5-10% at best.
Posted by Howard Cihak on July 23, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Then there's the matter of whether or not these "super-duper" filters will yield noticeably better results than the less expensive conventional versions. It could be Hoya's playing the filter version of the megapixel race.
Posted by Kent Staubus on July 23, 2009 at 12:58 PM
The place looks OK--see the feedbacks. They are either in Hong Kong or buying directly from China is my guess. The multi-coated filters are worth the money. I only buy multicoated ones now. I had a tremendous problem with flare when I used uncoated filters. I think my current 77mm polarizer is an SMC Hoya.
Paul, I have purchased 4 Hoya Digital Pro 1 filters from a store on ebay at very good prices. They were genuine Hoya filters in genuine sealed cases and I have no doubt that is what I got. Good prices are available from places other than the big retailers but it is scary when prices are very low, I'm not sure how they do it.
I have since found filters at much cheaper prices than places like B&H but have not purchased from any where else.
By the way I have absolutely no affiliation with this place, it's just a place I found last year when searching out filters online. I don't see they 82mm HD CPL your looking for on their site at the moment so if you looking to purchase now I don't think they will help. But I wanted to let you know I have had good luck with them with no regrets. Their supplies aren't big and does change frequently so you might just keep that in mind. filtersplus
I guess these Hong Kong dealers have wholesale availability. I've seen several that offer thse. In fact, I did get a B+W 77mm Kaesmann CPL from one of them for $123 two years ago. I guess I just questioned the 82mm Hoya because it's almost a full $200 cheaper than B&H. Then again, what's the dealer markup on filters? 2Filter.com in New Hampshire is dropping the Hoya line because of trade disputes, and they are selling the rest of their stock at discounted prices. The 82mm HD CPL is $197 there, and you know that's still above dealer cost. I do prefer USA dealers online or even supporting B&M stores, but not when markup is through the roof. Man, has retail changed with the internet!
***UPDATE***
I've come to learn that the markup isn't as high as I thought, and that filters are somewhat marked up because it's one of the few items the local guy actually maks a profit on.
I've purchased several Hoya filters from Hong Kong via eBay and have never been burned.
Saved plenty of $$$ in the process, too.
If you do a search on eBay, you'll find similar offers for Hoya filters (maybe not in that size) from overseas dealers, all with similar excellent feedback.
You're right John, I just found a Hoya Pro 1 Digital 82mm CPL from the same seller that I bought a B+W filter from. For $99 with free shipping, how can you turn it down?
Check out www.2filters.com the filter in that size is $197.24 I have purchased a lot from them over the years and been very happy. If you spend more than $60 no shipping and no sales tax to most areas.
For $99 with free shipping, how can you turn it down?
You can't!
BestEastern is also who I've dealt with in the past.
Posted by Paul DeCesare on July 24, 2009 at 12:10 AM
Ed, I have purchased from 2Filters before, very good company. This filter thing is a wild topic!
Posted by Ken Atkinson on July 24, 2009 at 11:58 AM
I would just like to throw this out to everyone. I recently purchased two photo items from e-bay. One was suppose to be located in Florida, but it actually shipped from China. The second was from a Power Seller in Colorado. Both were in the category "too good to be true." Turns out neither one was what it was suppose to be. But because I bought it "through" e-bay and used PayPal, I was able to get PayPal to refund my money after filing a dispute with them.
Discussion
13 repliesThen I come across this eBay auction. Is this price legit? And is this the same filter? Great price, but why, for the same filter?
Kent in SD
I have since found filters at much cheaper prices than places like B&H but have not purchased from any where else.
By the way I have absolutely no affiliation with this place, it's just a place I found last year when searching out filters online. I don't see they 82mm HD CPL your looking for on their site at the moment so if you looking to purchase now I don't think they will help. But I wanted to let you know I have had good luck with them with no regrets. Their supplies aren't big and does change frequently so you might just keep that in mind.
filtersplus
***UPDATE***
I've come to learn that the markup isn't as high as I thought, and that filters are somewhat marked up because it's one of the few items the local guy actually maks a profit on.
I've purchased several Hoya filters from Hong Kong via eBay and have never been burned.
Saved plenty of $$$ in the process, too.
If you do a search on eBay, you'll find similar offers for Hoya filters (maybe not in that size) from overseas dealers, all with similar excellent feedback.
You can't!
BestEastern is also who I've dealt with in the past.
Be careful.
Ken