USA and X1

[Tao]

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I contacted Leica U.S. about the status of meaningful U.S. deliveries, and this is what I received:

 

"The response to the X1 has been quite good and demand is high. It’s difficult to predict when the camera will become readily available on dealer shelves. At the present rate of customer demand and deliveries from the factory, it may take a few months for dealers to get through their lists of waiting buyers."

 

I made some dealer inquiries yesterday, and it sounds like I may have one in hand by the end of April. But who knows? The X1 sounds like it will fit me to a tee; but I try not to get too attached to anything. Lot's of cool stuff coming down the pike, and out there right now; it's just a matter of what one makes with what they have in hand.

 

Case in point: Panasonic Lumix GF1 Field Test — 16 Days in the Himalayas

[ashwinrao1]

Try Tamarkin Camera in Connecticut. I have ordered many a bag from them (lovely Fogg bags...), and their site lists the X1 as available. If you want one try there.

 

Also try Robert Jagitch at Precision Camera in Austin, Tx. He seems to get a steady stream of X1's, and I purchased mine from him.

 

Good luck...

[h00ligan]

I don't believe anything when it comes to Leica. They obviously can't keep up with demand from a niche market. That's a bit pathetic IMHO. I know, I know, they are small and things are hand made and blah, blah, blah... Man, hire some new people and get down to business. Sure, sometimes making people wait creates a fervor, but in this case, many people just went and bought a Panasonic GF1 I bet. Even something as simple as a viewfinder, that isn't made by Leica in Germany, isn't even being shipped in decent quantities. I don't get it.

 

QFT +1

[jsrockit]

For the US you are right. Here in Germany Apple over-promises and under-delivers. And I know, what I´m talking about. I´m apple dealer since 15 years……

 

Michael

 

True, I was being US-centric.

[simbalia]

All,

I have been reading the forum since I got interested in a X1. I was fortunate enough to purchase one from my dealer few days ago. I am really pleased with it, especially the IQ. It is certainly different from the Canon that I am used to and I would still keep my Canon for sports and shooting fast moving kids!

 

I know some of you are still looking for an X1. My dealer still has one in stock and I would not mind sharing that information with you. I do however want someone who is really going to use the camera to get it and not for making a quick few bucks on eBay.

 

If you are really going to use it, please PM me, I will let you know who the dealer is.

 

Thanks for a great forum, I have learned so much on Leica from you all!

[Guest badbob]

I don't believe anything when it comes to Leica. They obviously can't keep up with demand from a niche market. That's a bit pathetic IMHO. I know, I know, they are small and things are hand made and blah, blah, blah... Man, hire some new people and get down to business. Sure, sometimes making people wait creates a fervor, but in this case, many people just went and bought a Panasonic GF1 I bet. Even something as simple as a viewfinder, that isn't made by Leica in Germany, isn't even being shipped in decent quantities. I don't get it.

 

I'm trying to imagine a machine-made X1 - maybe a larger LX3/DL4? It would sell very well I'll bet, so why didn't Panasonic jump on that one? In any event, while many X1 users would prefer the same features and lower price, the camera itself would not look and feel like a hand-made Leica. So there it is! The ultimate image quality in a camera this size is being held hostage in a hard-to-get handmade body.

[barjohn]

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If you really buy into that hand made BS on the X1 I have a bridge to sell you. On the other hand, maybe that explains the poor quality wrapping and lose dials.

[jsrockit]

The poor quality wrapping seems to be based on a specific run of camera serial numbers. The loose dials are not loose as in poor quality... i.e. they are not faulty, they are just not as stiff as many would like.

[barjohn]

Did Leica tell you it was limited to a specific run of serial numbers? No, then that is pure conjecture or wishful thinking. I think one could define faulty as not functioning as intended. Because for many users it often functions as not intended, i.e. changes to a position not intended by the user, one could classify this as a faulty design or implementation or build quality issue.

[jsrockit]

Did Leica tell you it was limited to a specific run of serial numbers? No, then that is pure conjecture or wishful thinking. I think one could define faulty as not functioning as intended. Because for many users it often functions as not intended, i.e. changes to a position not intended by the user, one could classify this as a faulty design or implementation or build quality issue.

 

Do you have experience with the camera? I do and mine has none of the issues / or supposed defects and I've used it everyday for over a month. Sure, the dials turn easier than I would have liked, but it isn't a defect or poor quality. If the dial falls off the camera that is a defect and poor quality.

 

Mine is a later serial number than most people who have complained about the "wrapping" issue. While it is a guess, at least my guess is based on something concrete (i.e. owning the camera, paying attention to serial numbers, etc). Your guess is based on your tendency towards pessimism and your dislike of the X1. Unless, of course, you contacted Leica and they agreed that this is a problem with all X1s, then why do you get to make your point and I don't get to refute it? In reality both of us are guessing. I just choose to be optimistic.

[barjohn]

A few quick points. First, you have this formu to refute my points so I don't know what you mean about not getting to refute my points. Second, you own one camera, I own none...so what, You are basing your experience on a sample of one and I am basing my view on a number of users that have posted here an on DPR. Unless you live in a hot humid climate you may not have experienced the problem ...yet. I neither like nor hate the X1 though I have to chuckle at the lengths to which Leicaphiles will go to make excuses for the camera's failings and justify everything on one facet (IQ which one could argue is not the best of the mirrorless APS-C small cameras). Finall, as to whether you have a later production camera or not because you have a high serial number, that is pure speculation since we all know Leica plays games with serial numbers and there have been numerous threads dating back to the M8 where people have tried to guess. I suspect but don't know, that Leica randomizes the release of batches of numbers to production so that they will be the only ones that know actual production dates.

[jsrockit]

Finally, as to whether you have a later production camera or not because you have a high serial number, that is pure speculation since we all know Leica plays games with serial numbers and there have been numerous threads dating back to the M8 where people have tried to guess. I suspect but don't know, that Leica randomizes the release of batches of numbers to production so that they will be the only ones that know actual production dates.

 

Good point and point taken. The only thing I was trying to say is that not everyone is having this problem and I'm hoping that it is a certain run of cameras that are effected...but your right, my thinking was flawed regarding the serial numbers.

 

It isn't humid in NYC yet, so... we'll see. Either way, it is an easy fix to fix the covering on a camera. I guess it is easy for me to defend since I own one and love it and it is easy for you to dismiss since you read all of the complaints without using one for an extended period of time.

[simbalia]

I have shared the dealer information with three of you. Good luck for getting a x1 guys!

[pappde]

Did Leica tell you it was limited to a specific run of serial numbers? No, then that is pure conjecture or wishful thinking. I think one could define faulty as not functioning as intended. Because for many users it often functions as not intended, i.e. changes to a position not intended by the user, one could classify this as a faulty design or implementation or build quality issue.

 

Do I smell lawyer talk here?

[Guest badbob]

If you really buy into that hand made BS on the X1 I have a bridge to sell you. On the other hand, maybe that explains the poor quality wrapping and lose dials.

 

Hmmm .. a machine made camera that's so irregular that it looks hand made? One would think that Leica's mfg. machines are very precise, like the Wilde microscopes.

[ghighland]

I'm shocked. I just got an email from Amazon that my X1 shipped! I am scheduled to receive it tomorrow!!! Yee Ha!

[h00ligan]

Wow, how early did you order? Congrats.

 

Edit---- I still don't see it returning in amazons search.

[Tao]

I ordered one about a week ago from Amazon; wonder how many they received?

[dkCambridgeshire]

Europe seems to be in a similar position with Apple's iPad as the USA is

with the X1 ... Apple Media Advisory

 

dunk

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[ghighland]

I ordered it last October so I imagine I was very early on the priority list. btw, I really like it so far (after two days). IQ exceeds my GH1 - much lower nose in low light.