Close-up photo of the battery cover problem

[dkCambridgeshire]

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These photos illustrate the poor fit of the battery cover problem.

 

The first photo is without any battery fitted and with the cover closed - it fits nicely:

 

 

The second and third photos illustrate the poor fit of the battery compartment cover when the battery is fitted inside the body. As these are at relatively high magnification they exaggerate the problem and make it look worse than it is - but IMO it's outside acceptable tolerance because I can feel the 'step' when I pass my thumb or finger across the base:

 

 

 

I don't think the resultant 'step' on the edge of the battery compartment cover will cause any operational problems as there is no seal between the cover and the base-plate ie even if the cover was a flush fit it would not prevent the ingress of dust. But it looks and feels untidy and makes a nonsense of the adjacent base-plate dimple - because it is above the level of the dimple. Presumably, the four dimples are incorporated in the base-plate to lessen the chance of damage ie scratching - but the battery cover will now make contact with any surface first.

 

I can understand some X1 owners being rather disappointed with the camera because of this problem. My camera is a replacement after the first one received in February was found to have this lens bezel (around the front element) 'lifting' problem:

 

 

I do not wish to send the replacement camera back to Leica again and I'm wondering if the battery cover problem might be due to the battery dimensions being out of tolerance rather than the camera?

 

I've hardly used my X1 because of a double dose of flu following a 5 week wait for the replacement ... so have yet to handle it for any significant length of time. I'm hoping the 'skin peeling problem' does not affect my camera.

 

Good luck with your X1.

 

I'd like to know which factory they are made in.

 

 

Cheers

 

dunk

[jsrockit]

Neither should happen to a $2000 camera... I'd be very disappointed.

[peterb]

Hmmmm...looks like the same cover used on the D2. Is it the same?????

[dkCambridgeshire]

Forum member pappde worked out a solution for the door problem here http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-x1-forum/122549-door-issue-fixed.html ... so seems the camera battery door catch may need modification at the production stage.

 

Thanks pappde

 

dunk

[Tao]

I would far more concerned about the plastic lens housing. That element looks glued-in, instead of being held by a lip. Considering the expansion/contraction factor of plastics in general, one has to wonder how the other elements will hold up over time; one small slip...

 

Leica may sell enough of these to make an upfront profit, but I wouldn't be surprised if a slew of returns/repairs takes a large bite out of said profits. Not to mention the L reputation.

[dkCambridgeshire]

I would far more concerned about the plastic lens housing. That element looks glued-in, instead of being held by a lip. Considering the expansion/contraction factor of plastics in general, one has to wonder how the other elements will hold up over time; one small slip...

 

.

 

I think your comments are unjustified conjecture.

 

dunk

[thomsva]

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I do not wish to send the replacement camera back to Leica again and I'm wondering if the battery cover problem might be due to the battery dimensions being out of tolerance rather than the camera?

 

I don't think that it would be only with the battery dimensions that are out of tolerance. When the lid is closed with the battery removed the lid will sit slightly deeper but still not perfectly straight.

[diogenis]

Dunk sent back the camera again!

It's a $2000 camera, you might want to sell it or not, or maybe you risk snapping the cover completely and then what? Return it now that it is under warranty, unless it is an easy fix of some screw that is not correctly done

[dkCambridgeshire]

Dunk sent back the camera again!

It's a $2000 camera, you might want to sell it or not, or maybe you risk snapping the cover completely and then what? Return it now that it is under warranty, unless it is an easy fix of some screw that is not correctly done

 

I think It has a 3 year warranty as that was the deal for pre-ordered X1 cameras last October. I'm not too bothered about the battery cover door at the moment and do not wish to send the camera back again. If it is a relatively common problem there will be more complaints made to Leica and I imagine, or hope, that they will be able to fix this simple problem "while I wait" if I take it to Milton Keynes at a later date. I want to start using the camera asap on the projects intended for it.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

[wda]

Dunk, you do seem to be unlucky. My X1 is one of the first delivered, like yours. I have just removed my hand-grip to check the battery door closure and have not discovered any noticeable protrusion. (Just a few microns I would say).

 

While there is some similarity with the battery door on the D2, only the lever is really similar. The battery is thicker, so the door is larger. After extensive use there is only a microscopic amount of protrusion which I hardly notice. My conclusion is that you have been unlucky for the second time.

[Tao]

"I think your comments are unjustified conjecture."

 

I hope I'm wrong; but talk to me come September, after a hot Summer and greater distribution of the X1. I seriously doubt that these issues are an isolated phenomenon.

 

At least you got the 3-year warranty, which Leica should be offering to all buyers.

[2045]

the lens makes the camera like it's been dropped. all i can say is ''wow''

 

i have the door problem too...

[dkCambridgeshire]

"I think your comments are unjustified conjecture."

 

I hope I'm wrong; but talk to me come September, after a hot Summer and greater distribution of the X1. I seriously doubt that these issues are an isolated phenomenon.

 

At least you got the 3-year warranty, which Leica should be offering to all buyers.

 

I was referring to your assumption regarding the lens elements ... because TTBOMK no manufacturer "glues in" the actual lens elements. Just what, in your opinion, might be the actual effects of a 'hot summer' on an X1

 

dunk

[petercorbett]

Hi All - My first post on this Forum. I got my X1 a few weeks ago and have the same disappointments with the quality of the build. Cover peeling off in the same place and the battery cover not sitting flush......

However the images are stunning and despite the negative comments about the functionality and speed of focus I love what it produces - I can learn and live with the rest.

Have a look at some initial shots Flickr: Aurelius2010's Photostream

[Tao]

Dunk -

I'm not slamming the X1 - it's a brilliant concept, imho. And the IQ is truly amazing. I can live with all the other issues; but it's utterly frustrating that Leica skimped on the build & QC.

 

If nothing else, I don't think it would have broke the bank for Leica to employ a high-grade alloy like that found on the uni-body Macbooks; it's lightweight, virtually scratch-resistant, low-expansion coefficient, and strong as titanium - literally.

 

As far as Summer goes, at least where I live, heat & humidity have a way of infiltrating everything; causing corrosion, condensation, mildew, etc. Anything glued is especially susceptible. I'm gonna wait a few more months to see how all this plays out, as more folks get their X1s, before committing. I do appreciate all the feedback, here and on DPreview. And I hope Leica can remedy some of these issues for those who have spent their well-earned money on an otherwise fine camera.

[vicaf]

Hi All - My first post on this Forum. I got my X1 a few weeks ago and have the same disappointments with the quality of the build. Cover peeling off in the same place and the battery cover not sitting flush......

However the images are stunning and despite the negative comments about the functionality and speed of focus I love what it produces - I can learn and live with the rest.

Have a look at some initial shots Flickr: Aurelius2010's Photostream

 

Peter -

 

Magnificent pictures - a rolling advertisement for the IQ of the X1. Tell us about your Post Processing, and did you shoot in JPEG or RAW?

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Vic

[petercorbett]

I use RAW (DNG) and use ACR, I am new to Lightroom since I bought the X1 and am still learning. To be honest I have found the X1 files to be such high quality that processing is easy. It's difficult to explain - a good image taken with the X1 somehow tells one how to process. I adjust WB, very slightly - the auto WB is so damn good and odes not need much. I find the metering very accurate and consistent and generally overexposes slightly so a touch of EV compensation using Auto or AP (shoot right) does the trick. If one is out of bounds in the high's and lows the files allow amazing recovery which shows the integrity of the image capture.I use Canon SLR's with some of their best lens and somehow the good images from the X1 are easier, they are not better but different. I can live with the quality niggles of the X1, yes the camera should be 100% and it's not the easiest to use but the dam thing is so wonderful I will not take it back yet as I want to use it and explore the images so I don't really care if 'peels off' and there are bits sticking out - at least for the time being.