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X1 not shipping pending firmware upgrade - true?

NZDavid

By NZDavid
in Leica X

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NZDavid

NZDavid

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I have been interested in the X1 as a possible backup since it was announced -- seven months ago! -- but it still isn't available in New Zealand. The latest from the dealer is that Leica has stopped shipping the camera pending a firmware upgrade. Has anyone else heard this? Dealer has no idea when this mythical camera may be available here. I have a business trip to Germany in two weeks time -- I shall be quite happy using M6 and Ricoh GR-D, but wonder if I should check out the X1 while I'm there?

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h00ligan

h00ligan

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For whatever it's worth, the 'big' (laughable) camera shop here in Phoenix, AZ, USA is still delivering, they had about 4 preorders, and delivered two - by nearest accounts. The most recent was a few days ago.

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eduardoho

eduardoho

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Dealer said firmware upgrade is to speed up AF. I think I'll wait...

Firmware upgrades are done by downloads, just as what they had done for dLux4. And as typically in all computer gizmos & peripheral devices, the minute you open the box you have to perform the annoying updates. The more compelling fact is that they are diverting to the Japanese market which is profitable and probably it is swallowing up huge stock allotments sold at premium prices.

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dkCambridgeshire

dkCambridgeshire

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Firmware upgrades are done by downloads, just as what they had done for dLux4. And as typically in all computer gizmos & peripheral devices, the minute you open the box you have to perform the annoying updates. The more compelling fact is that they are diverting to the Japanese market which is profitable and probably it is swallowing up huge stock allotments sold at premium prices.

 

Can you produce proof of this alleged diversion to Asia in preference to other markets?

 

dunk

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larbel

larbel

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Firmware upgrades are done by downloads, just as what they had done for dLux4. And as typically in all computer gizmos & peripheral devices, the minute you open the box you have to perform the annoying updates. The more compelling fact is that they are diverting to the Japanese market which is profitable and probably it is swallowing up huge stock allotments sold at premium prices.

 

Anything above MSRP goes to the pocket of the retailer since they ARE the ones who's charge the premiun, not Leica. So the theory of more profitable doesn't hold IMO. Besides, Japan is NOT the biggest market, currently, I think China is the biggest, just look at how many special editions they've been putting out just for the Chinese market..

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jsrockit

jsrockit

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Can you produce proof of this alleged diversion to Asia in preference to other markets?

 

dunk

 

Yeah, it isn't like I've seen an influx of Japanese users on flickr... I mean, the Japanese seem to love flickr. :D I just don't think Leica is delivering huge amounts of anything these days. It is a joke. All I use are Leicas these days, but I can't make excuses for them with regards to their over-promising / under-delivering.

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eduardoho

eduardoho

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Can you produce proof of this alleged diversion to Asia in preference to other markets?

 

dunk

Of course not...I am not involved in industrial espionage. My buddy from Yotsukaido, did not have difficult in getting his X1 earlier this year nor his friends. They got cute little stores w/floor dedicated solely for L. I got mine early this month, after waiting for 2-3 weeks or so from OpticsPlanet. Leicaphiles in Japan got their own fan clubs. I can read whatever they write in kanji, which is equivalent of Chinese characters but I have to guess the kana characters, and believe me L is adored there. L is a phenomena in Asia where 99.9% of all cameras are made. Just like the Harley Davidson motorcycles bold market decision in going into Asian market and successfully scooped up the market niche right from the noses of Honda/Kawazaki./Yamaha. In Kyoto, I choked when I saw Imperial Palace guards riding on Harley's. And yes, China market is big, but the combined HK Chinese/Singapore Chinese/PRC still does not match to that of the land of rising sun. They don't flaunt their L's, they are discreet users. Not diversion but to prioritize & nurture the promising growing markets. Unfortunately we all are in flat markets, included us here in the US.

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jsrockit

jsrockit

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Japan got their own fan clubs. I can read whatever they write in kanji, which is equivalent of Chinese characters but I have to guess the kana characters, and believe me Leica is adored there.

 

tokyo camera style

 

I'm trying to get my Japanese girlfriend to take me on a trip to Tokyo so I can go camera drooling. :D

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eduardoho

eduardoho

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tokyo camera style

 

I'm trying to get my Japanese girlfriend to take me on a trip to Tokyo so I can go camera drooling. :D

Go to Leica Boutique, their flagship store in Ochanomizu, right at the heart Ginza, complete with gallery. They polish everything after you touch with your greasy fingers: the cameras, the counter, etc... it is fun you will enjoy it.

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eduardoho

eduardoho

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Just received my replacement X1 from the courier 10 minutes ago ... battery had sufficient charge to access the menus and firmware shows version 1.0

 

Cheers

 

dunk

You got an updated firmware? Mine is same as yours. I got mine in early part of this month. My Serial No. is 381 3498, I read yours as 381 5983. Does anybody knows how to interpret it, i.e. the serial numbers? Do they have any significance? Like the VIN numbers in vehicles?

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AlanJW

AlanJW

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I have one -- received Wed from Berger Brothers (Amityville NY) and it has firmware 1.0.

Good shop, by the way. Brad Berger is owner and is very customer oriented.

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eduardoho

eduardoho

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Anything above MSRP goes to the pocket of the retailer since they ARE the ones who's charge the premiun, not Leica. So the theory of more profitable doesn't hold IMO. Besides, Japan is NOT the biggest market, currently, I think China is the biggest, just look at how many special editions they've been putting out just for the Chinese market..

if you say so...Have you seen the special edition gold & red MaoTsedung's MP @USD30k plus & the Hall of People engraved dLux4? Only 60 were made to commemorate the 60 years of PRC. I guess they got a market there, obviously there are buyers there otherwise they won't be producing them.

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dkCambridgeshire

dkCambridgeshire

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You got an updated firmware? Mine is same as yours. I got mine in early part of this month. My Serial No. is 381 3498, I read yours as 381 5983. Does anybody knows how to interpret it, i.e. the serial numbers? Do they have any significance? Like the VIN numbers in vehicles?

 

Because S/Ns are probably allocated to production batches of each camera model they do not by themselves have any particular significance and cannot be interpreted/interpolated to estimate eg actual numbers of a particular camera model manufactured.

 

dunk

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grober

grober

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Hey, I'll welcome any improvement in AF but this camera is such a hoot to use as is, I wouldn't wait if you are lucky enough to find an Authorized Leica Dealer with one for sale.

 

If you wait for perfection you'll surely miss all the fun along the way. Things can only get better from here.

 

-g

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NZDavid

NZDavid

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Some positive thinking from grober, good point. But it really does seem odd that some markets have no problem obtaining this cameras while in others it's non-existent.

 

Yes, the Asian penchant for European design, especially niche products, is fascinating (they also like restored classic Jaguars), but new Leicas are a rarity in mainstream camera stores.

 

I shall be very intrigued to know if the latest cameras are indeed shipping with a firmware version later than 1.0. I wonder if it will be possible to update firmware via a simple download later on, or not?

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dkCambridgeshire

dkCambridgeshire

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Some positive thinking from grober, good point. But it really does seem odd that some markets have no problem obtaining this cameras while in others it's non-existent.

 

Yes, the Asian penchant for European design, especially niche products, is fascinating (they also like restored classic Jaguars), but new Leicas are a rarity in mainstream camera stores.

 

I shall be very intrigued to know if the latest cameras are indeed shipping with a firmware version later than 1.0. I wonder if it will be possible to update firmware via a simple download later on, or not?

 

How else would they do it unless they want to sell it as an optional extra preinstalled on a memory card.

 

dunk

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