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Special Edition

eelekim

By eelekim
in Leica X

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bill

bill

Posted
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It shows what real ostrich looks like and what you can get in ostrich for the money. I bet most people here did not know that "embossed ostrich" meant the pattern is pressed into leather or a synthetic.

 

You're actually serious, aren't you...?

 

This is sort of a publicity stunt that also helps re-enforce the image of Leica as an expensive exclusive product. The profit from it won't be that great. Even if they reduce the price of the entire run of X1s by the list price of $32,000 ($400x80), how much less will that be for each camera?

 

You're really not getting this, are you...? Of course they want to reinforce the image of Leica as an expensive, exclusive product. I don't see too many people rushing out to buy Summarits - they all lust after Summiluxes. That is the reality of the market; only a fool flies in the face of fact. It's not just about the money. If Stella Artois hadn't got there first, Leica could definitely have used the "Reassuringly Expensive" tagline in their advertising.

 

You don't think there is a risk that some will think, "If they are over-charging for this simulated ostrich, what else are they over-charging for?"

 

Gosh, yes, you are absolutely right. I never thought of that, and neither, I shall wager, did the Gnomes of Solms. They have had it wrong all along. That Luxus back in 1930 was such a bad idea, and they just haven't learned have they...? :rolleyes:

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AlanG

AlanG

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Bill, I have no idea why you wish to be so argumentative. I don't wish to be. Besides, I can't figure out what your point is nor what you disagree with in mine. If Leica wants to sell special edition cameras, that is fine with me. I just disagree with your contention that the less than $32,000 that Leica will earn from this will somehow have an impact on lowering the price of the X1. Plus I don't see how covering a camera in fake ostrich skin would send a message of quality.

 

I think the special editions are a double edged sword for them. They get publicity, but by using it as a "fashion statement" they also risk diminishing the image of the camera as a serious photographic tool. I guess they figure that there is nothing wrong with exploiting customers, who are happy to be exploited, in order to generate some publicity.

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bill

bill

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I just disagree with your contention that the less than $32,000 that Leica will earn from this will somehow have an impact on lowering the price of the X1.

 

Those lovely profits get ploughed back into further developing the cameras we know and love.

 

D'you know, Alan, if there is one thing that is guaranteed to put my back up even more than illogical and gravity defying sweeping generalisations it is being misquoted...

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jaapv

jaapv

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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. :D

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

Correct, Bill, 100 with snakeskin and 100 with lizard skin.

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AlanG

AlanG

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D'you know, Alan, if there is one thing that is guaranteed to put my back up even more than illogical and gravity defying sweeping generalisations it is being misquoted...

 

So sorry. Please forgive me. Go ahead and kick me in the ass with a big cowboy boot. I made a bad mistake. Why would anyone expect Leica X1 prices to go down? My contention is that the publicity was more important to them than the less than $32,000 that it generated. But maybe that additional cash will go for some R&D too.

 

Yes, exploit the rich for the "people!"

 

In reality this is just a minor publicity stunt similar to what others have done many times before.

 

ferrari02.jpg

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prk60091

prk60091

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What exactly is this argument about?

 

Why does EVERY thread in the X1 sub-forum end up in a row?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

i think it is because it is a revolutionary product not evolutionary product- and as such polarizes people and their opinions.......

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elansprint72

elansprint72

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leica-x1-limited-edition-le-mans.jpg

 

 

Le Mans edition.

 

I really cannot think of a less suitable camera than the X1 to wear the Le Mans logo.

 

I was at the Le Mans Classic 2010 (working for the organiser of the event, as a photographer!). I wandered into the Leica boutique shop; hot, sweaty and toting the sort of Japanese camera/lens which we use to shoot fast cars. The rather aloof shop-assistant, dressed in an immaculate black suit, looked down his nose at me and asked if he could be of assistance, though clearly he was not at all interested.

I said that I was curious about what they had on sale and told him that I had been using Leica equipment since the early 60s. This did not even cause him to flinch and he pointed me towards a table and a locked glass display cabinet with an M9, S2, some lenses and several X1s with the Le Mans sticker attached.

I asked him if he thought that he might make any sales and he shrugged and said something which I interpreted to mean "a fool and his money are soon parted".

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ravinj

ravinj

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Gentlemen: I propose a truce. How about keeping the Leica X1 as is and shipping a pair of genuine Ostrich skin boots with it for the special edition part? The boots will also make it easier to wade in the swamps and take close-ups of crocs and other little creatures.

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RichardM8

RichardM8

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Why does EVERY thread in the X1 sub-forum end up in a row?

 

 

Maybe this is why. From The Online Photographer. I think he's pretty close... :)

"It is in fact such a simple camera, with that one lens and elegantly basic controls on top, that forums dedicated to the X1 have a hard time finding new things to say about it. I've always thought that the reason there are so many "Leicaweenies" (as Ralph Gibson called them on p. 6 of Anthony Lane's New Yorker article on Leica) is that a lot of photographers love these incredibly simple cameras from Leica and want to talk about them but find there really isn't much to say. Picture a forum dedicated to discussing the M3, and then picture if the M3 only came with a fixed lens, and you get an idea for how the X1 forums sound. Wrist straps, lens caps, cases and viewfinders are about all that's left to discuss after the advantages and disadvantages of the camera have been rehashed ad nauseum."

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phancj

phancj

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Maybe this is why. From The Online Photographer. I think he's pretty close... :)

"It is in fact such a simple camera, with that one lens and elegantly basic controls on top, that forums dedicated to the X1 have a hard time finding new things to say about it. I've always thought that the reason there are so many "Leicaweenies" (as Ralph Gibson called them on p. 6 of Anthony Lane's New Yorker article on Leica) is that a lot of photographers love these incredibly simple cameras from Leica and want to talk about them but find there really isn't much to say. Picture a forum dedicated to discussing the M3, and then picture if the M3 only came with a fixed lens, and you get an idea for how the X1 forums sound. Wrist straps, lens caps, cases and viewfinders are about all that's left to discuss after the advantages and disadvantages of the camera have been rehashed ad nauseum."

 

Yes Richard, I think that sums it up quite nicely. Thousands of posts each for comparison to nex, peeling skin, slow AF, etc, etc. It is getting absolutely ludicrous especially after so many months.

 

Now I spend more time in the main photo forum where it is far more vibrant and for once you get constructive criticism and not camera bashing. Funny thing is NO ONE is bashing the X1 there and if anything, they are talking ONLY about the photo and how we can make it better with useful suggestions (a nice change). Over here, more often than not if the photos come out bad it's the camera's fault coz AF is slow, dials get jerked around unintentionally, peeling skin (haha), burst modes being unethical, the camera is not in iguana skin, etc,etc,absolutely insane.

 

I think all of us X1ers need to take a step back and realize how good the images can be from this gem, and participate in the main photo forum where it matters more and get our photos seen and counted. One thing for certain, the X1 is a capable performer.

 

Go to the main photo forum to see some of the photos posted by people using the X1, it's great.

 

Also please feel free to browse my gallery in the LFI :

 

http://gallery.lfi-online.de/gallery//index.php?cat=18275

 

Feel free to comment.

 

You can also look at Master shots and other pages where there are tons of nice photos.

 

I am also starting on the proposed X1 photo challenge and probably come up with something next week. Stay tuned, hope it'll be a blast.

 

Dun the bashers ever get tired?? And should we ever bother about what they think? Should we not spend more time taking nice photos with this camera? With/without iguana, snake, raccoon, or porcupine skin for all I care?

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AlanG

AlanG

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Leica probably got a good deal on the embossed material - whatever it is, or had some leftover from the X1 series, and figured why not give it a go? What is the additional cost this time? I have to say that this may be the poorest looking "ostrich" skin that I have seen. Ostrich, as I've shown, is closely associated with cowboy boots in the US. I don't know how other parts of the world look at ostrich skin. Clearly raised distinct bumps are the hallmarks of the look - not the flattened hints of bumps as on these cameras.

 

It also occurred to me that there is an implication here that if Leica can sell special additions for higher amounts that will help subsidize the lower "standard" price for others. But the quantities are too small for this to be significant.

 

Genuine ostrich skin once was expensive and exotic, but has been relatively common (thus not so expensive) for some time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostrich_leather

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