"PROMASTER" Filters, anyone heard of these people? Looking for opinions or experience with Promaster filters. I was interested in buying a 77mm Variable ND filter, I went to a local...

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"PROMASTER" Filters, anyone heard of these people?

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Jun 9, 2013 15:11:46 #

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

Looking for opinions or experience with Promaster filters.

I was interested in buying a 77mm Variable ND filter, I went to a local camera shop and showed me a VND for 179 bucks.
Research ( Amazondotcom ) has the Promaster 77 VND for 74 bucks ( plus shipping).

I have been in the habit of buying Hoya or Tiffen ND and CPL Filters.

Any opinions, knowledge, rumors, second or third hand information would be appreciated.

This is for use in my quest to continue my never ending quest to bore visitors to death with long exposure on falling water.

Thanks a heap in advance.

Oh and I will not be returning to camera store in Amityville, NY, employing a very rude salesman named Jeff
Which shall remain nameless.

Jun 9, 2013 18:32:29 #

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Bruce with a Canon wrote:

Oh and I will not be returning to camera store in Amityville, NY, employing a very rude salesman named Jeff. Which shall remain nameless.

Start with a "C?" :mrgreen:

Jun 9, 2013 19:09:21 #

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

Bmac wrote:

Start with a "C?" :mrgreen:

down the street a block, starts with BERGER BROTHERS.
I had issues with them in the past and decided to try them again. Never will again.
Cameta has always treated me with respect and with the lowest price, to the point of competing with Amazon.
B&H and Cameta will continue to get my hard earned dollars

Jun 9, 2013 19:22:20 #

kmohr3 Loc: Rockford, IL

Bruce with a Canon wrote:

Looking for opinions or experience with Promaster ... (show quote)

No kidding - I don't see how these small camera stores expect to stay in business with rude people and prices that are twice normal.

I went into a camera store in Rockford, IL and was not greeted or acknowledged for at least 10 minutes or so. Finally a guy came out in stocking feet and short sleeve shirt - unbuttoned in the front. How unprofessional. They didn't have what I needed anyway...

My main camera store, even if busy, will acknowledge your presence and say "I'll be right with you".

Jun 9, 2013 19:36:25 #

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Bruce with a Canon wrote:

down the street a block, starts with BERGER BROTHERS.
I had issues with them in the past and decided to try them again. Never will again. Cameta has always treated me with respect and with the lowest price, to the point of competing with Amazon. B&H and Cameta will continue to get my hard earned dollars

Glad to hear it wasn't Cameta, as I too have always enjoyed doing business with them. They have matched B&H's prices on lenses for me.

I had friends who used to call Berger Brothers.....Burglar Brothers, years ago. Maybe the nickname still holds. 8-)

Jun 9, 2013 19:51:50 #

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

kmohr3 wrote:

No kidding - I don't see how these small camera st... (show quote)

Thing is this shop is BIG and they have several locations.
I was looking for a Manfrotto tripod w/ball head. I went to this shop and stood by the tripod section perusing, asked 2 people for help 5 minutes apart and was ignored.
On the way out a manager asked me if I found what I was looking for and I told him his staff blew a 500 dollar sale.
Down the street I went.
I went back Friday to give the place a second chance and they blew it, again.
Will not go back, will not advise other people to patronize that store.
MONEY TALKS, bull cookies walks

Jun 9, 2013 19:55:57 #

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

Bmac wrote:

I expect prices to be higher in brick and motor shops, I also expect customer service to be held at a higher standard. I normally go to Cameta, or B&H if I am in the neighborhood on a Sunday.
Superb customer service, they take the time I need to ask what questions I have, and will humor my desire to handle gear.
Burgler brothers desire for profit at any cost ha destroyed any desire I have to bother with them. My wallet don't care where I shop.
179 bucks for a 72 dollar filter is just over the top.
BTW Tiffen VND filter was on amazon for 149 bucks
Have a great evening, best to the little lady

Jun 10, 2013 01:25:05 #

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Bruce with a Canon wrote:

Looking for opinions or experience with Promaster ... (show quote)

Promaster is a company which has been in business for more than 50 years making, distributing and selling camera accessories, most often through chains. I owned a Promaster flash and it was great. Their filters seem to be all right, although I would not rate them as highly as B+W or Hoya. You can look at their product line at:

http://www.promaster.com/

I don't know where Promaster products are made, but this may help:

Nippon Photo Clinic Services
920 Broadway, Suite 705
New York, NY 10010
212-736-4663
FAX: 212-982-1715

And

http://www.yelp.com/biz/nippon-photo-clinic-service-new-york

Jun 10, 2013 04:21:32 #

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

Mogul wrote:

Promaster is a company which has been in business ... (show quote)

Much appreciate your assistance. From what I gather Prom aster makes nothing, they are bulk buyers and distributers.
They buy Hoya filters with their own name then resell.

Jun 10, 2013 06:20:01 #

Xantoz Loc: Delaware

I have several promaster filters, tripods, extenders etc. I purchased them from one of the coolest little camera shops(yes expensive but love the shop) in Madison NJ. I found the filters to be excellent glass. Actually flawless which is more than I can say about the Tiffens from Other mail order venues. Still love the tripod it's super lightweight and very beefy. I guess you get what you pay for.

But no one needs bad attitude from snotty camera store employees.

Jun 10, 2013 07:09:21 #

sbesaw Loc: Boston

Mogul wrote:

Promaster is a company which has been in business ... (show quote)

Promaster Filters are made by Hoya

Jun 10, 2013 07:20:12 #

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Hoya makes a lot of the filters & lenses (elements for them that is) out in the marketplace. They make them for quite a few of the OEM lines as well ( OEM's subcontract to them)...They are Japan's largest optical glass manufacturer...That said, they also have several grades of goods so as to try to capture all of the market segments

Jun 10, 2013 07:29:50 #

sbesaw Loc: Boston

Screamin Scott wrote:

Hoya makes a lot of the filters & lenses out in the marketplace. They make them for quite a few of the OEM lines as well ( OEM's subcontract to them)...They are Japan's largest optical glass manufacturer...That said, they also have several grades of goods so as to try to capture all of the market segments

Correct and Promaster offers all 3 Grades

Jun 10, 2013 07:59:56 #

Andyzem Loc: St. Louis, Mo.

I have bought Promasters gadgets but never their filters. I have found them to have great customer and product support, even when I caused a problem. I will not hesitate to buy their product again.

Jun 10, 2013 10:32:57 #

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

I bought a Nikkor 70-300 - 4.5 -5.6 VR a year ago from my local and excellent camera store. I was asked if I would also like a UV filter. I said yes and they gave me a 67mm Promaster. After going home and installing it on my camera lens I noticed an imperfection in the glass. I returned it to the store and it was replaced instantly. I have several Nikkor lenses going back to film days and they all wear Promaster filters from that store, Camera Mart in Pontiac MI.

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