did i just get a fake expoamigo?

[Isaiahfortythirtyone]

just got an expoamigo from a mass order that a CSer conducted. prior to receiving it, i was alerted to what another CSer - expoamigo - wrote about how to detect a fake.

according to expoamigo, the original will come with a blue strap. and the blue strap will have the words "expoamigo" printed on it.

my expoamigo, however, came with a black strap that had nohting printed on it.

is it possible for expoamigos to come with black straps? did i just get sold water goods?

 

[G-man]

Not sure if you got a fake expoamigo bro, but quite frankly, by saying to tell a fake from the original by way of a detachable strap is probably just one way to tell, although that is also the easiest way to copy something. What's to stop a determined shop who wants to copy from printing several of these off-the-shelf lanyards with the words www.expoamigo.com?

I believe we bought from the same guy. Mine came with the www.expoamigo.com words on the lanyard so I am guessing if yours is water goods, so is mine. :dunno:

 

[Isaiahfortythirtyone]

even the 'metallic' parts on my strap look a bit brassed and worn :dunno:

i don't wanna accuse anyone. if it's really water goods, just wanna know if it performs up to mark. since its only $25, i'll thankfully take it as a lesson learnt and that it wasn't a much bigger amt

 

[G-man]

Well, I've yet to try mine out. Perhaps I'll give it a try now and let you know.

 

[satay16]

wonder is there is really any foolproof way to detect fakes. anyway, there is only two sellers doing MO right? i bought from the one which is more expensive. hopefully when it comes on tuesday, it is real.

 

[G-man]

Ok did a quick test. It seems to work pretty ok, considering I am using a tungsten bulb in diminishing light.

Here're the results:

Using the 350D's AWB function

Taken after 1 shot with the Expodisc under this lighting condition and setting to Custom WB.

I hope that helps.

 

[G-man]

I pressed the Submit too soon.

Ok my thoughts. The custom WB function seems to cool the lighting somewhat, which is the desired effect. But perhaps it cooled it a little too much so much that it's got a sort of blue cast to it? I dunno. I didn't do any post processing, only cropped to 800px by 800px wide to save bandwidth for viewers.

Outside of that, I think it does the job for me, so I guess I'm alright with it.

 

[ipin]

G-man, were you using the Expodisc or Expoamigo as stated in your entry and pic? :dunno:

 

[u2nofear]

my one is dark blue ? isn't a fake one ? i pay S$35 for big size....

 

[ipin]

my one is dark blue ? isn't a fake one ? i pay S$35 for big size....

All of the landyards are blue/dark blue, just like in the advatised pictures.

 

[G-man]

G-man, were you using the Expodisc or Expoamigo as stated in your entry and pic? :dunno:

Paiseh paiseh, I was using the EXPOAMIGO, as per what you guys and myself included, bought:embrass:

 

[satay16]

so how did you take the custom WB? point at the light source, or point at the object you are taking?

 

[G-man]

Here is the image taken using the Amigoexpo, with the corrected captions. My apologies for the mistake.



Satay16, I merely set my camera to Manual focus, placed the card in front of my lens, flush against the lens(smooth side facing lens), took a snapshot and under Custom WB, I set this blurred snapshot as the image to use as a WB image.

Then set my WB settings to custom and took the pictures.

Relatively easy and it has a good tolerance overall for variance in colour casts. As an example, I took one reading while trying to shoot the card itself, as the light was yellowish. Then I took a picture. After that, I felt the card would look better against a white background so I placed a piece of paper behind the card and retook the picture without taking a 2nd image and resetting WB. It worked as well.

So all in all, I'm happy.

 

[expoamigo]

Hi all, I have just called the North Taiwan distributor to clearify the doubt. According to him, the batch that is without www.expoamigo.com url on it, should have a sticker on the plastic package with the URL on it. That batch was out in the market 3 months ago when the fakes hasn't got the way into the market.

This is the prototype batch. It could come with black strap as well. Note the sticker.
Hope this clears your doubt.

 

[Jigsawman]

To all Clubsnap members :

To those that had made orders from me and had paid me,unfortunately I can not refund you the money. But to those who had not transfer me the money, please do not transfer as I have decided to hold back my stocks to be release in the market. The reason I am doing this is because I have noticed that the original price of the Expoamigo has reduced to a price which is not the originally standard price.

To answer those who asked if the Expoamigo they had in hand is real or fake, I dont want to make further assumption as I dont know what is fake Expoamigo looks like. To stop this news of fake Expoamigo is around Singapore, I have decided to stop selling those stocks I have in hand. Of course, if you think stocks from me is reliable, do PM me for further enquiry on the stock levels.

My price of Expoamigo is still the same

Small ( 88mm X 88mm ) = SGD $25
Big (120mm X 100mm ) = SGD $35

Straps from the Expoamigo are not a standard to judge if they are real or fake. When something is not enough in the market, color of the strap will change or perhaps the words are not printed. However, the prooduction of Expoamigo are stardard. No matter what color straps you are getting, all the Expoamigo are the same.

Real or fake, buyers do make some tests and do not listen to rumours about there is fake Expoamigo in Singapore.

I have to stop my stocks releasing into the market is because I want to make sure that those in the markets are real and there is no fake.

Have a nice day.

Regards, Jigsawman

 

[ipin]

I STRONGLY believe that Jigsawman has been selling the real ExpoAmigo and was in Taiwan when he gave me a call using his Taiwanese HP number. He has been very open and forthcoming all these while with us, providing his HP number, real name, answering our questions and all.

I too have tested his ExpoAmigo and it works as stated. So have G-man, as shown above. WB has been compensated very well. I highly doubt an imitation could achieve this effect. A cheap reproduction would be using some cheap plastic material, incapable if any effects at all.

Come on guys, I understand your fears, our hard earned money, etc. But please to try out your own filter to see if it works (irregardless whoever you bought from) or not, before asking around if you bought cheap copy or a fake one. Has any one of us even thanked Louis for his effort and time sourcing this cheaper ExpoDisc alternative? If you have any doubts of this nature, approach the seller directly to ask. If he ripped you off, I doube he'll be around anymore! :bsmilie:

:thumbsup: for you Jigsawman!

 

[G-man]

Ipin, I concur! I've told Jigsawman that mine works, and it works as advertised.

Now I am considering a 2nd one to use with a blue line for warmer shots. :bsmilie:

 

[Isaiahfortythirtyone]

it was never my intention to accuse jigsawman of selling fakes. i asked this qn because it seemed that there was a warning about the possibility of fake expoamigos circulating around, and somehow, the package i received was different from what the 'real' expoamigo should be.

jigsawman: if i offended you, my sincerest apologies.

 

[Jigsawman]

it was never my intention to accuse jigsawman of selling fakes. i asked this qn because it seemed that there was a warning about the possibility of fake expoamigos circulating around, and somehow, the package i received was different from what the 'real' expoamigo should be.

jigsawman: if i offended you, my sincerest apologies.

No worry, maybe I over look the strap that came with it. Posted quite a few package, did not take note about the strap.

Anyway, hope you like the product and may it help you to set the white balance at its most efficient way.

Regards,

 

[ipin]

Ipin, I concur! I've told Jigsawman that mine works, and it works as advertised.

Now I am considering a 2nd one to use with a blue line for warmer shots.

:thumbsup: Get it now, while Jigsawman still has the last few pieces! I got myself 2 from the start, now I can try drawing the blue lines to play with when I have the time! Work has been tying me down these few weeks! :cry:

it was never my intention to accuse jigsawman of selling fakes. i asked this qn because it seemed that there was a warning about the possibility of fake expoamigos circulating around, and somehow, the package i received was different from what the 'real' expoamigo should be.

jigsawman: if i offended you, my sincerest apologies.

:thumbsup: I'm sure Jigsawman isn't offended and took your statements as a direct accusation. He's not that petty! :bsmilie:

Am I right, Jigsawman? :bsmilie: