surface quality X1

[Danielsan]

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I received the X1 today and just loaded the batterie, not even used it. But i must admit that i am a bit disappointed from the surface quality of the camera. When i opend the box i carefully looked over the surface in every little corner like i always do and the camera looks like it is kind of used or refurbished to me. Not even a transport protection on the LCD Screen. The silver grey surface looks kind of used, hard to describe but the "sanding" is very poorly made cause i can see like darker clouds or small swirl marks under that surface, it just dont look smoothly made to me. I am really a bit disappointed and this can immediately end my joy of a new product, not only in cameras but all other products as well. I immediatels thought that Leica could sell refurbished cameras as new.Actually that was the reason i paid the full price to get a new X1 and not a used one but in this case i could easily go with a used one cause even the new ones look like used.My 5 Euro Ebay torch has a much smoother and equaly anodized surface then this. THe original grey full case is also not so good, it fits not so nice.

 

The dial wheels are a bit loose you can lift them a bit on every side.

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[Leicabatoutahell]

I think that if Leica were not wanting to do a good job they should have just continued to put their name on Panasonic products. The GF1 crushes the X1 in ergonomics, build quality, and processing speed. And with a lens one and a half stops faster negates its ISO advantage to boot!

[prk60091]

I received the X1 today and just loaded the batterie, not even used it. But i must admit that i am a bit disappointed from the surface quality of the camera. When i opend the box i carefully looked over the surface in every little corner like i always do and the camera looks like it is kind of used or refurbished to me. Not even a transport protection on the LCD Screen. The silver grey surface looks kind of used, hard to describe but the "sanding" is very poorly made cause i can see like darker clouds or small swirl marks under that surface, it just dont look smoothly made to me. I am really a bit disappointed and this can immediately end my joy of a new product, not only in cameras but all other products as well. I immediatels thought that Leica could sell refurbished cameras as new.Actually that was the reason i paid the full price to get a new X1 and not a used one but in this case i could easily go with a used one cause even the new ones look like used.My 5 Euro Ebay torch has a much smoother and equaly anodized surface then this. THe original grey full case is also not so good, it fits not so nice.

 

The dial wheels are a bit loose you can lift them a bit on every side.

.

 

Wow. I received mine last week and I can say the camera you are describing does not resemble mine. I did not get a cheap piece of transparent crap to "protect" the LCD, what I received was the most cushioned most protected camera I have ever purchased.

 

The finish on my x1 is consistent with no "swirls" of any sort (and I just took a magnifier to double check).

 

I had read about loosen dial wheels previously. That was the first thing I checked. Mine are nice and "stiff".

 

I am truly sorry that you didn't get what you hoped for. My recommendation, return it and buy that used one and enjoy the images.

[Dan States]

I think that if Leica were not wanting to do a good job they should have just continued to put their name on Panasonic products. The GF1 crushes the X1 in ergonomics, build quality, and processing speed. And with a lens one and a half stops faster negates its ISO advantage to boot!

 

 

OK, I've got both and the GF1 looks like shit in image quality so now what? A d700?

[BB W]

Mine was delivered this past week, as well, and I'm thankful to report that I found a beautifully wrapped camera that impresses me as being extremely well made.

 

Quality control can always been an issue even in the best of companies. Definitely don't keep the camera if you feel it is not right.

[davidhunternyc]

Yes, this was not my experience either. Return the camera to Leica and exchange it for a new, unused X1. There is something wrong here.

[Danielsan]

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Wow. I received mine last week and I can say the camera you are describing does not resemble mine. I did not get a cheap piece of transparent crap to "protect" the LCD, what I received was the most cushioned most protected camera I have ever purchased.

 

The finish on my x1 is consistent with no "swirls" of any sort (and I just took a magnifier to double check).

 

I had read about loosen dial wheels previously. That was the first thing I checked. Mine are nice and "stiff".

 

Mine didnt have a display protetor on, which is important for me cause u can be sure that the display is 100% clean under that factory protection film and i can add the screen protector immediately after removing this transport film like i did on the iphone for example some days ago. There are no real swirl marks on the surface, like i said its hard to describe but when u hold it against light u see that the matt sanding is not well done, its not equaly done and i am pretty sure that every Leica X1 looks that way and i am just more critical with it and with the material then others because i am very critical when it comes to scratches,surface quality and all that.

 

the wheels are a bit loose when u lift them up a bit on one side,

[earleygallery]

When people buy cameras, unbox them, play around with them for a few days and then change their minds and return them, what do you suppose the dealers do?

 

If you're unhappy as them to exchange it for another one.

 

I know a dealer who would even sell part exchanged gear that was mint/boxed as new stock

[phancj]

Unboxing the X1 was a treat, and the X1 was gorgeous to me, with mostly exquisite finish and materials. Showed friends and relatives and most were impressed. The thing is pretty.

 

I think compared to most compact cameras, the X1 is extremely well-built. Of course, whether it is worth $2K is largely a matter of opinion.

 

I feel sad you got a dud, but these things happen. I bought a new macbook pro and one key was jammed. The next month the hard disk blew. But that doesnt mean Apple is crappy because I have owned and used exclusively Macs since the very first monochrome ones. Almost all of the macs I have used are problem-free, and many which are obsolete still works when I power them on for fun. it just means that in this age, manufacturing defects can happen to anyone.

[dw3645]

OK, I've got both and the GF1 looks like shit in image quality so now what? A d700?

 

I have all three, X1, GF1 & D700. Out of the three, and for what it is, the D700 certainly gives the best quality of images. However, that's a totally different kind of camera. So, I'll leave it out of this.

 

The X1, beside the plastic battery door and not able to change lens, it beats the GF1 in every way. With the GF1 is unbearably noisy for using it indoor with ISO800. It actually starts to get grainy at ISO500. The menu on it is so hard to navigate compare to the X1's.

The shutter doesn't sound as solid. Just so many things.

 

I shoot RAW on both X1 and GF1; open them all with Aperture 3 and you can really tell the difference. The X1 gives such a good IQ and so much more accurate than the GF1. I like to get what I see in my photo, and that's what the X1 can do. The colour of the image from the X1 is very close to real life, but with the GF1, you can tell the difference easily.

 

For those who are happy with the GF1, by all means, stick with it. I like it for what it is, a compact interchangeable lens system. But it can't compare with the X1.

[Danielsan]

I feel sad you got a dud, but these things happen. I bought a new macbook pro and one key was jammed.

 

Well, i say it again i have the bad feeling that all X1 are like mine, i just have different opinion on the material then most of u here. Of course it look better then most of the other compact cameras today. Or maybe they take used cases and putting new lenses and LCD screens on and sell as new cause they cant produce enough cameras. This time it would be better for me i had bought the X1 on the release date, then such things cant happen.

[fotografr]

Well, i say it again i have the bad feeling that all X1 are like mine, i just have different opinion on the material then most of u here. Of course it look better then most of the other compact cameras today.

 

Do you purchase a camera for the way it looks, or for how the images produced by it look?

[Danielsan]

Do you purchase a camera for the way it looks, or for how the images produced by it look?

For the image Quality! but i paid 1500€ for a new camera, otherwise i could have go with the option of a great used one for probably 1200€. I also think that your argument is a bit poor, i could argue with every other product like the way u do. If your car is scratched, do u buy the car for the looks or to drive from A to B?

 

Like nobody should care about the looks of a product and only focus on the function of it

[bill]

Or maybe they take used cases and putting new lenses and LCD screens on and sell as new cause they cant produce enough cameras.

 

An interesting assertion... I imagine you can prove it or you have a good lawyer...?

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[Nicoleica]

For the image Quality! but i paid 1500€ for a new camera, otherwise i could have go with the option of a great used one for probably 1200€. I also think that your argument is a bit poor, i could argue with every other product like the way u do. If your car is scratched, do u buy the car for the looks or to drive from A to B?

 

Like nobody should care about the looks of a product and only focus on the function of it

 

May I ask if you actually looked at one of these cameras before you purchased it? Or did you order it blindly?

 

I'm asking, because if you looked at, and handled one prior to purchase, you would have been able to satisfy yourself as to the general finish and materials. Then, if your example did not measure up to the same standard, you should have been able to exchange it at the dealer's shop.

[Danielsan]

An interesting assertion... I imagine you can prove it or you have a good lawyer...?

 

"Or maybe they take used cases and putting new lenses and LCD screens on and sell as new cause they cant produce enough cameras."

 

May I ask if you actually looked at one of these cameras before you purchased it? Or did you order it blindly?

 

saw one in a shop window a while ago, but it was kind of blindly. The IQ i saw did the rest to me

[nippa]

Danielsan

I think you should return the camera immediately , tell us all where you bought it and keep us updated on your progress

 

No swirly marks on my X1 and no lift able dials either..you seem to have been sold a dud!

If I had received a camera as you describe I would have felt cheated.

[Danielsan]

It seems every X1 has the cloudy snded finish i was told from a user, thats what i expected and thought. Magnesium is probabaly difficult to sand and achieve an even finish. It seems also that my eyes are a bit too good The loose dials, maybe its normal too, who knows, dont have another X1 to test it out but if its not normal i will drive to Solms, its not far away, its quicker then the other way.

[Guest badbob]

It seems every X1 has the cloudy snded finish i was told from a user, thats what i expected and thought. Magnesium is probabaly difficult to sand and achieve an even finish. It seems also that my eyes are a bit too good The loose dials, maybe its normal too, who knows, dont have another X1 to test it out but if its not normal i will drive to Solms, its not far away, its quicker then the other way.

 

If you got a standard-issue "really new" X1 and that's the way you describe it, then I need to move to Germany (Deutschland?) as soon as possible. With that kind of criticism, the standard-issue products in your country must be really fabulous. I've been living with so-so quality items like Apple iPods and Macs, Panasonic and Leica cameras, Sennheiser earphones, etc. - so I want to upgrade to the kinds of things you're used to.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[RichardM8]

There is no form of sanding going on during production of an X1 or any other Leica. Not even in the same building.

 

I know more than a little about metal working, surface treatment(s) and coatings. I guess there must be some mysterious 'one off' (....) bad example at play here. The (surface) finishing of my X1 and the one of a friend is flawless. Even when put under a Dentist lamp. Guess we managed to pick two good examples off the production line...

 

No offence but for me this is just another Monty Python thread.