Ivar B Posted August 25, 2016 Share #1 Posted August 25, 2016 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Perhaps slightly off topic, but it may be useful for some. Everyone knows that a large share of filters sold on the Internet, be it from B + W, Zeiss, Hoya, Nikon and others, are fake items. B + W is doing something about it lets you can scan the box with a QR reader to unlock a unique encrypted code, and according to B + W, this system is safe. I just bought a B + W MRC Nano 82mm for my SL 24-90 from a HK supplier (besteastern) and decided to try out the scan - and indeed I get immediate verification that this is real. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited August 25, 2016 by Ivar B 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/263859-b-w-scan-to-verify-authenticity/?do=findComment&comment=3101675'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 25, 2016 Posted August 25, 2016 Hi Ivar B, Take a look here B + W scan to verify authenticity. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
NB23 Posted August 25, 2016 Share #2 Posted August 25, 2016 Well... A fake filter with a "real" photocopied code would also give you the same answer. No? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivar B Posted August 26, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted August 26, 2016 (edited) Well... A fake filter with a "real" photocopied code would also give you the same answer. No? As I understand it, each filter has a unique code and apparently B + W has taken several measures to make copying of the code impossible. The system is described in more detail on their web. http://www.schneiderkreuznach.com/en/photo-imaging/product-range/b-w-fotofilter/products/authentication/ Edited August 26, 2016 by Ivar B Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodies Posted August 26, 2016 Share #4 Posted August 26, 2016 Still, if you take one b+w filter and packaging and clone it, then the web site will report genuine for every copy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivar B Posted August 26, 2016 Author Share #5 Posted August 26, 2016 Still, if you take one b+w filter and packaging and clone it, then the web site will report genuine for every copy. According to BW, the code cannot be copied. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted August 26, 2016 Share #6 Posted August 26, 2016 It's a QR code - they're copyable. And you've already copied it and posted it on the internet Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted August 26, 2016 Share #7 Posted August 26, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks, Ivar, I've just scanned the QR code you posted, and SK's website confirms that it's valid. I'll use it on the next batch of plastic filters I sell on ebay! Seriously, though, I'm puzzled what the purpose of this is. There must be more to it, surely? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivar B Posted August 26, 2016 Author Share #8 Posted August 26, 2016 Yes, there must be something we are not quite getting. I very much doubt that B + W would go through all the effort to put a useless system in place. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted August 26, 2016 Share #9 Posted August 26, 2016 Yes, there must be something we are not quite getting. I very much doubt that B + W would go through all the effort to put a useless system in place. Why not? It's only a filter after all. And marketing has always been about bullsheeting people anyways. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronazle Posted August 26, 2016 Share #10 Posted August 26, 2016 As I understand it, each filter has a unique code and apparently B + W has taken several measures to make copying of the code impossible. The system is described in more detail on their web. http://www.schneiderkreuznach.com/en/photo-imaging/product-range/b-w-fotofilter/products/authentication/ Ivar, thank you very much for the post and I will file it away as useful knowledge. Regards, Ron Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemgb Posted August 26, 2016 Share #11 Posted August 26, 2016 From what I just read on the site it looks like a two part identification process, when you register your filter you peel the QR code back to reveal a unique number under it. The QR code is easily copied but the serial number obviously cannot. Of course, by the time you figure out it's fake there's probably not much you can do about it. I didn't know you could register a filter, I bought a B + W filter not long ago, it has the QR code but I didn't know what it was for so ignored it. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted August 26, 2016 Share #12 Posted August 26, 2016 Thanks, Ivar, I've just scanned the QR code you posted, and SK's website confirms that it's valid You are kidding us. I decoded the QR code and it is a URL with code BP (does not work). http://sk-auth.com/c=BP Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwardkaraa Posted August 26, 2016 Share #13 Posted August 26, 2016 From what I just read on the site it looks like a two part identification process, when you register your filter you peel the QR code back to reveal a unique number under it. The QR code is easily copied but the serial number obviously cannot. Of course, by the time you figure out it's fake there's probably not much you can do about it. I didn't know you could register a filter, I bought a B + W filter not long ago, it has the QR code but I didn't know what it was for so ignored it. Now that makes more sense. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted August 26, 2016 Share #14 Posted August 26, 2016 You are kidding us. I decoded the QR code and it is a URL with code BP (does not work). http://sk-auth.com/c=BP Oops, mea cupla - I misread the German on my small phone screen, that it had been authenticated. (I knew it had to be a bit more complicated than that) 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiftboy Posted February 8, 2021 Share #15 Posted February 8, 2021 You can go to this site to check for filter authenticity: https://schneiderkreuznach.com/en/authenticity-check Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
logan2z Posted February 9, 2021 Share #16 Posted February 9, 2021 Why not just buy the filters from an authorized B+W dealer to guarantee authenticity? Or are people buying these used from eBay, etc? If buying used, is the savings worth it? Some of the 'new' filters I see on eBay are actually more expensive than they are from authorized dealers in the US like BH Photo 🤔 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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