Where in the usa can i find an x1?

[Guest Chris M]

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:mad:MAN, I'VE SEARCHED UP AND DOWN, AND GOOGLED EVERY POSSIBLE STORE AND DEALER,AND CAME UP EMPTY HANDED. CAN SOME ONE GUIDE ME TO A VALID DEALER OR STORE WHO HAS A BRAND NEW X1 FORE SALE? or could it be that Leica is doing a make over like tightening up the loose wheels and applying a different glue etc, and firmware modifications before they (release) anymore X1's into the mainstream? I sure as hell don't know, and the people who do Know sure are not talking at the moment. Any guidance to a shop here in the USA would be much appreciated.

 

Best, chris m.

[h00ligan]

It's a bit sad. It is back on amazon but showing out of stock.... How many months ago was there supposed to be a decent supply, 5? I gather they moved factories? Perhaps that really out a huge kink in things...you'd think they would have planned it better....

[Dan States]

They have learned from the best: Panasonic. How long has the LX3 been around? 10 Years? Short supply means longer term demand and more money made. Smart, at least on their side.

 

I would love that firmwear update now in case they were waiting for my approval! Hello?

[Driver8]

:mad:MAN, I'VE SEARCHED UP AND DOWN, AND GOOGLED EVERY POSSIBLE STORE AND DEALER,AND CAME UP EMPTY HANDED. CAN SOME ONE GUIDE ME TO A VALID DEALER OR STORE WHO HAS A BRAND NEW X1 FORE SALE?

Currently, there aren't any X1s available at US Leica dealers. You have to pre-order it (usually a $500 deposit) and get on a waiting list (between 3-6 months?). I hear the waiting list at Precision Camera in Austin, TX isn't too long.

 

or could it be that Leica is doing a make over like tightening up the loose wheels and applying a different glue etc, and firmware modifications before they (release) anymore X1's into the mainstream?

No, Leica simply doesn't have the production capacity to make enough X1 and M9s to meet demand. Don't expect any hardware changes until the X2 and a firmware update for the X1 will take place regardless of production.

[h00ligan]

And it seems to pre order an x1 now guarantees delivery by the announcement of the x2!

 

Seriously though, with steve huff's latest info and the conventions not that far off, sorta have to wonder whether waiting at this point with a bridge cam is worth it.

 

I wonder what the actual wait time is...I think at the big place in phx it is prob 6-8 weeks, last I heard they were through their pre order list. Gah..I REALLY don't want to order one without even holding a demo.

[caimi]

Schiller Camera in St. Louis, Mo has two in stock I believe.

[Tao]

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Slice it how you will, Leica dropped the ball on this one. The X1 is a niche product that relies heavily upon emotional inertia to generate sales. The faster out of the blocks, the better. The LX3 sold well from the get-go; and because of it's sub-$500 price, continues to sell well to this day; a solid camera with affordable mass appeal.

 

Something's obviously amiss. Maybe Leica is backlogged repairing returns? Maybe they are prepping version 1.2? Or maybe they're just clueless when it comes to marketing and production?

 

High demand, you say? Well, when a valued, potential customer calls distributor after distributor, all across the country, only to be informed that he/she is "out of luck, call back in a few months," of course the demand will be high! That's what happens when you have 100 customers chasing 25 items.

 

Keep faith in Leica, but be patient and wait until the dust settles a bit.

[Ned Hamilton CA]

What's really surprising is that in this day and age of blogs, tweets, and instant communications there is so little information available about what's happening. What stores have them in stock, how many are shipping, what countries are getting them, are folks sending them back for repairs, etc, etc.

 

I'd have thought this forum would have an abundance of availability information.

 

I'd have thought I could google "Leica X1 shipments" and get lots of hits. Not there.

 

I'd have thought twitter would have some tweets about X1 shipments. Nada.

[jsrockit]

Seriously though, with steve huff's latest info ....

 

What info?

 

Seriously, I hope all you haters stop buying this camera so it become worth some cash later due to rarity. I love this camera. Don't knock it before you've tried it extensively.

[Tao]

I'm no hater; just objective. In fact, I plan on getting one down the road, and giving it an unbiased trial; but only after the X1 becomes more widely available.

 

What I do hate to see is a lack of transparency and coherence from the only company that seems willing to produce cameras for photography's sake. It's going to take more than reputation and history to remain competitive in the years ahead.

 

Just saying...

[Guest badbob]

:mad:MAN, I'VE SEARCHED UP AND DOWN, AND GOOGLED EVERY POSSIBLE STORE AND DEALER,AND CAME UP EMPTY HANDED. CAN SOME ONE GUIDE ME TO A VALID DEALER OR STORE WHO HAS A BRAND NEW X1 FORE SALE? or could it be that Leica is doing a make over like tightening up the loose wheels and applying a different glue etc, and firmware modifications before they (release) anymore X1's into the mainstream? I sure as hell don't know, and the people who do Know sure are not talking at the moment. Any guidance to a shop here in the USA would be much appreciated.

Best, chris m.

 

First thing to do is get onto the Leica In-Stock Tracker website.

Leica Cameras In Stock Tracker - M9, S2, X1, D-LUX 4 - NowInStock.net

 

If you follow these very closely (every couple of hours), you may snag one. And if you don't snag one, take note of the places where they do pop up in stock, and place your order there.

[chuck3819]

Chris M.,

Service Photo in Baltimore has one on the shelf. Their phone number is 800-344-3776. I saw it in there today. They are finished with their waiting list. Hope this helps!

[h00ligan]

What info?

 

Seriously, I hope all you haters stop buying this camera so it become worth some cash later due to rarity. I love this camera. Don't knock it before you've tried it extensively.

 

I hope that wasn't directed at me..my post referred to the fact he said new leica goodies were coming..like the new 35 that was just released. I'd love to judge the cam in person..it may as well not exist though with stock levels and leica's communication standard with even their dealers.

[Guest badbob]

I just got a notification that Leica X1's are available at OneCall.

[Guest Chris M]

Schiller Camera in St. Louis, Mo has two in stock I believe.

 

Cami, Thank you so much!! mine is on its way!! according to Doug, the two Leica rep's where in and hand delivered 3 X1's and 1 S2, the two Leica Representatives did say that these X1's had been pick up by them 3 days earlier HOT OFF the assembly line from Germany where they were in a conference about the new lens and sales meetings, Shillers was there first of several stops coming up for servicing of the client acct's, Which in discussion?? I guess, with whats up with availability of X1's , M9's and S2 and the New 35mm M lens will likely start too flow. One of Schillers sales reps did say though that I did get the last one a one other X1 was all ready prepaid earlier for a regular client of there's and that the third one would have to remain as a (Demo//Display model) for there retail store.

 

Best, chris m.

[jsrockit]

I hope that wasn't directed at me..my post referred to the fact he said new leica goodies were coming..like the new 35 that was just released. I'd love to judge the cam in person..it may as well not exist though with stock levels and leica's communication standard with even their dealers.

 

Nope, not you specifically, you know that ... but I've never seen a forum section dedicated to a camera where more people diss it than own it and love it.

[caimi]

chris m,

 

You are welcome. I'm sure you will enjoy it. I am enjoying mine.

 

Caimi

[h00ligan]

I think I am finally going to cave and order it..hopefully if it doesn't suit me I can sell without any real loss. The ticking point for me on all these little' cams is higher iso performance and dynamic range (more of an issue in az than I ever knew before..mft means blown skies or shadow noise)...seems like most of what I have wound up photographing (and it's taken me time to start figuring this out) is indoor portrait /low light and city/street. I'll just get a decent entry level tele for my old rebel for the other 10% and call it a day with that combo.

 

I'm getting tired of pissing about and not getting what I want. At the end of the day there's a reason why this cam was top of my list, so I guess it is time to bite the bullet. I will have to start actively looking now, I'll start tomorrow with the places recently mentioned in this thread. Btw, buying from a brick and mortar store via mail order/Internet/teleles , do they charge tax? I also really feel like I am getting sick of cameras making poor choices for me.. Gf1 too slow shutter speed rather than upping iso, etc...and the constant changes from bright to shade here seem to take forever. Going full manual to override this is getting tiresome.

 

Ha, so a bounce back to the dark side...tomorrow I'll probably flip flop again. I should be a politician.

 

Here's hoping I can actually get off GAS by ordering the x1 and get on with learning more.

 

I just got a notification that Leica X1's are available at OneCall.

 

I don't see it on their site, presumably onecall.com?

[Guest badbob]

....mft means blown skies or shadow noise)...

 

I don't see it on their site, presumably onecall.com?

 

I don't get much shadow noise as a rule, but in some extreme cases of too much DR I've seen some shadow detail smeared. Worse is blown skies and/or purple fringing. Shooting in RAW would probably help that.

 

OneCall.com did send the announcement, and since I had mine I didn't apply for the one they had. But I did look later and what they had was sold out.

 

I've read many skeptical opinions on Leica's ability to produce product to meet demand, but given the small manufacturer they are and the number of hand operations needed to build each camera, I'm amazed that they turn out the quantity they do.

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[h00ligan]

Thanks badbob. Unfortunately you are right the problems arise in both mft cams due to limited dynamic range. Arizona is a very contrasty place, especially when trying to shoot during the 'sweet hours'...and I am sure my inexperience isn't helping things. I just shot a random sunset test with a borrowed epl1 with the same results..changing angle/degree relative to the light means I have to swipe though about 4-5 menus turning on gradations, changing iso, turning on shadow comp...gradations and shadow comp are not a winning technology IMHO, and usually do more harm than good...

 

So that is what leads me to think I just have to go to the bigger sensor. I never had these problems in NYC..well rare,y with blown skies and silhouetting etc...I have to think this is a symptom of difficult lighting, technical constraints, and inexperience...hard to combat all three at once.