Special Edition

[phancj]

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Yup the special edition is the way to rip off people who want something "unique" that most do not own. I'd rather Leica put the money into a ruggedized version where we can dive 3m deep, or something like that where there is real utility value. I do not think I need VF many do so as suggested by someone Leica can op to swap the flash for VF. Having owned the X1 for over half a year I recall using the flash only less than half dozen times.

 

I wish Leica will spend more effort on improving the functionality instead but if there are enough people who will pay big $$ to own special editions then Leica has a firm grasp of their market they know they can rip people off and get away with it haha who are we to complain??

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[RichardM8]

These are the units where the original skin peeled off. So only 80!...

[eelekim]

Would snake skin be better?

[2045]

frankly, i'm in for extra $840.00 if they don't have the battery door problem & skin peel off issue. sad but i'll be the sucker.

[phancj]

frankly, i'm in for extra $840.00 if they don't have the battery door problem & skin peel off issue. sad but i'll be the sucker.

 

haha Leica has it made

[aesop]

...nothing wrong with a healthy discussion on "special editions", folks, but we need to remember that the X1 is essentially a USD 2000.00 Leica lens with a sensor/pretty retro body attached to it. The important thing is that it does exactly what it says on the tin at POS. Presumably the relevant information was digested by all pre-purchase. To my mind it is ultimately a great product, a few niggles notwithstanding.

 

I am no Leica apologist, but I have to disagree that the special editions are a rip-off. Rightly or wrongly, uniqueness is valued by many individuals, as some of you Leica owners can attest to. In the case of "special editions", nothing is hidden from prospective buyers. You research or view the product, then you make an informed decision as to whether or not to pay the premium price. Oddly enough, the same thought process applies to all Leica products (and other top-end marques), many of which are considered "rip-offs" by non-owners.

 

If you made the decision and bought the X1, go right ahead and enjoy it. Coveting other features, functions or finishes that you do not presently own will only detract from your photographic experience.

 

For the record, special edition tools (without any added functionality ) hold no allure for me.

[phancj]

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...nothing wrong with a healthy discussion on "special editions", folks, but we need to remember that the X1 is essentially a USD 2000.00 Leica lens with a sensor/pretty retro body attached to it. The important thing is that it does exactly what it says on the tin at POS. Presumably the relevant information was digested by all pre-purchase. To my mind it is ultimately a great product, a few niggles notwithstanding.

 

I am no Leica apologist, but I have to disagree that the special editions are a rip-off. Rightly or wrongly, uniqueness is valued by many individuals, as some of you Leica owners can attest to. In the case of "special editions", nothing is hidden from prospective buyers. You research or view the product, then you make an informed decision as to whether or not to pay the premium price. Oddly enough, the same thought process applies to all Leica products (and other top-end marques), many of which are considered "rip-offs" by non-owners.

 

If you made the decision and bought the X1, go right ahead and enjoy it. Coveting other features, functions or finishes that you do not presently own will only detract from your photographic experience.

 

For the record, special edition tools (without any added functionality ) hold no allure for me.

 

Agreed, as I have said on the non-utilitarian aspects of the "limited editions". Nevertheless we should respect diversity of wants, or needs.

 

In retrospect, the word "rip-off" may have been too strong a word on my part to generalize all "Limited Editions".

 

I like my X1 too, and can see how some may prefer snakeskin or other embellishments, but a sticker/silkscreen printing on the retractable flash top? Special Edition?? Sorry, I must say, I think that is a rip-off. My two cents worth.

[h00ligan]

frankly, i'm in for extra $840.00 if they don't have the battery door problem & skin peel off issue. sad but i'll be the sucker.

 

As I read it, it is $400 more. ?

[prk60091]

As I read it, it is $400 more. ?

 

i might have opted for the ostrich skin if it was available as an option instead of the "vulcanite"

 

but at this point after i have mine- not for me

[eelekim]

I like my X1 too, and can see how some may prefer snakeskin or other embellishments, but a sticker/silkscreen printing on the retractable flash top? Special Edition?? Sorry, I must say, I think that is a rip-off. My two cents worth.

 

I don't mean I prefer snake skin... Do you know snakes shed their skin once a year or even more often?

 

Hope the ostrich can keep its skin tight to its body.

[Guest badbob]

I am no Leica apologist, but I have to disagree that the special editions are a rip-off. /quote]

 

I would agree that the special editions are not a ripoff *if* the standard editions did not have peeling skin.

 

Peeling skins on standard editions implies (to name one example) that some folks are being coerced into paying extra hundreds of $$ to get a skin that doesn't peel.

[h00ligan]

And it may still peel..time will tell.

[davidhunternyc]

I wish they'd stop mucking about with all of these special editions and fix the flipping problems with the camera already. Good lord.

 

Too funny but too true Richard. Really, taking off the plastic vulcanite and gluing on ostrich skin is a special addition? Wow, Leica, you are really stretching yourself. How about making the prototype X1 that we see at the beginning of this thread a "special addition." This is what the X1 should have been to begin with but now that the water has gone under the bridge, figure out another way to give us an X1 without a plastic lens barrel and other cost saving materials. I know, Leica, pretend you are in 1957 again. That will do the trick.

[AlanG]

Ostrich leather only costs about $15-$25 per square foot depending on quality. (Retail pricing.) The camera probably only needs about $5-$10 worth tops.

 

Ostrich Leather - Product Listing

 

The camera pictured on the first page doesn't look like what I think of as ostrich skin which has bumps and is more like this:

 

 

There are ways of processing pigskin and calfskin to look like ostrich, alligator and other exotic leathers. The term "embossed ostrich skin" means it isn't authentic. Judging from the prices below for embossed ostrich skin, it might not even require $1 worth of leather.

 

http://www.leathercrafttoolsforsale.com/ostrich-embossed/

[h00ligan]

That definitely qualifies as a gouge if true...wow.

[AlanG]

That definitely qualifies as a gouge if true...wow.

 

By charging $400 for this, Leica got a lot of publicity. If they only charged $50 more for "simulated ostrich skin," nobody would have picked up the story. People who buy this aren't necessarily concerned about what they are getting. They just want something different or figure it might be worth collecting.

 

It reminds me of the the Albert Brooks movie, where he buys a car that has "Mercedes leather" which turned out to be vinyl. Funny thing is that my girlfriend's 1989 Mercedes' "Mercedes leather" still looks new and my 4 year old car's genuine leather interior shows much more wear.

[mooky]

I actually liked the 'Mercedes Leather' from the 1973 280 SEL, very comforftable, very breathable and very long-lasting.

 

As for this 'fancy-smancy' special edition, it's all about the collectors. Though I don't really see the X1 as a collectable in any fashion, utilitarian perhaps but not otherwise. But if someone is a collector, go for it.

[charlesphoto99]

Note that these editions are for the fast paced Japanese market (at least the ostrich leather is) where they need to stay in the news and cater to a market very much enthralled by being "one of eighty." I'm sure it also gives Leicas often under utilized marketing and packaging dept something to do (with what four or so real release a year) for very little outlay on their part. Problem is that Leica can't make "what happens in Japan, stay in Japan." Worldwide web is against them.

 

I'm not a Leica apologist by a long shot (had plenty of problems with M8, service dept, etc) but best to keep this in perspective. Funny thing is, nobody's happy anymore. Six months later people want the X2, X3, M10, 11, and so on. What else is Leica supposed to do. They would die as a company if they released a brand new $2K, $7K camera twice a year (when they can't even keep up orders for the first one). Go use what you got. Be happy. Let others pay $400 more for ostrich skin, etc and be happy too.

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[phancj]

If I were Leica I'd come up with the latest and best X1- The one X1 to rule them all!

 

It's the new SKINLESS X1, instead of vulcanite it can be filled with enamel in a vast variety of colors/patterns, even camouflage.

 

Ladies and gentleman, a new dawn has arrived, the skinless X1 has solved all the peeling issues for good. Only $2400. A real steal haha:D

[bill]

This is nothing new. Leica introduced their first "special edition" in 1930. The Luxus was a gold plated version of the Leica I. Much imitated ever since, the Luxus was introduced "only" a lustrum after the Leica itself was introduced.

 

As has already been observed, "special editions" keep them in the news, especially in those markets that constantly crave innovation. The profit margin is high, and the true cost of production not much - if any - higher than the standard model. Those lovely profits get ploughed back into further developing the cameras we know and love.

 

Far from criticising, you should be encouraging any cash-rich, taste-poor magpies you know to go and order one immediately.

 

Regards,

 

Bill