Question about my brand new X1

[amidafo]

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Hello, after reading many posts in regard the X1, I bought X1 from Amazon and the unit arrived a few days ago. The IQ is very good and the auto ISO capture a amazing indoor picutre with dim lighting. However, when I turn ON the camera the very first time. The time and date is set already. I am wondering is it a return?

 

Thanks.

[prk60091]

It may be. I recall that I had to set the day and time and I think language when I powered my x1 for the 1st time.

[amidafo]

100% No marks on the camera and accessories. Is there a way to check how many photos were shoot? I paid $2,000 out the door.

 

It is a very well built camera with a classic look. I already order the hand grip and Brightline View finder.

[jankap]

I suppose the camera has a function "reset all" to deal with returns.

The dealer should at least execute this function in case of a return "money back guarantee and no questions asked".

A good dealer checks the camera too. This is an expensive procedure, if it is managed well. You never know, what has happened with the camera. The next customer should become an new-equivalent piece.

Jan

[bill]

Just as a matter of interest, in the UK at least there is no question of passing off a return as "new" - once an item has been sold from inventory it can be returned - within seven days with no quibble if bought online or over the 'phone due to distance-selling consumer protection - but it can only then be resold as "used" or "refurbished". You see this a lot with consumer electronics, where the latest shiny iFad so often disappoints when it is seen in the flesh. Is it different in the US?

 

Secondly, these reports always seem to involve Amazon... Why on Earth anyone would trust a faceless monolithic box-shifter to supply a complex high-value item like this is beyond me.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[nippa]

Actually Bill I've used Amazon UK to buy cameras and they have been brilliant.

One Canon G9 lost its dial markings and Amazon had a new camera with me before I'd returned the old..no quibbles no problems.

 

Reading these threads from the US makes me glad of the consumer protection we have in the UK. The idea of a returned camera being sent out again as new seems amazing to us but I guess Amazon USA operate to US legal minimums.

 

The US and the EEC seem to have contrasting standards when it comes to advertising hype ,marketable property and goods fit for purpose.

[bill]

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Hi Nippa, so have I, but for consumer digicams like Panasonic for a few hundred quid, not over £1000. For more expensive items I'd rather deal with a knowledgeable specialist dealer, even if only over the internet.

 

I agree with you about EU legislation though...

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[ravinj]

Regarding Amazon versus brick and mortar retailers, I believe the mentality in Europe and US is different. In the US, we do not hesitate to buy high value items from the likes of Amazon. It has an excellent return policy, low prices (and no tax!) and they deliver stuff to your door. If you don't like what you got, just return it (for free in most cases). What is not to like?

 

The other retailer I would consider in the USA for cameras and electronics is Costco due to their 90 day return policy. Obviously, you don't find Leicas at Costco and the overall selection is very limited. B&H is a good specialist retailer, but with a less generous return policy compared to Costco.

 

As for checking the shutter count on the X1, shoot a jpg and export it your PC. Then use a tool like exiftool to find the shutter count: ExifTool by Phil Harvey

[andybarton]

The immediate retuns policy of box shifters is all very well, but the problem with them comes, say, 6 months down the line. If your camera THEN develops a fault, who do you turn to?

 

This is when a knowledgeable dealer can be extremely useful.

 

I have also found that developing a relationship with a dealer is very useful in less direct ways. You can't say to Amazon "Can you keep a look out for an f2.8 Summaron for me please?", or "Would you sell this for me on commission?", or "I'll trade you an M7 and a 90 Summarit for a mint black MP"

[fotografr]

If the camera works, keep it. A couple of months ago my dealer called to tell me he had a new X1 that was available. I went in to have a look and when I first turned the camera on, I got the prompt to set the date and time. I did so, but when the dealer noticed what I had done he seemed a bit upset, so I did the only honorable thing I could think of. I bought it.

[BB W]

Very honorable, indeed!

[lykaman]

Hi, I bought my DL4 & Accessories thro' Amazon (I'm in California) and I have used them for many years without Any issues, Returns have always been acknowledged & the Refund always arrives in a timely fashion. One issue was with purchasing a D-Link wireless Router, ordered as New -> arrived in a white box with No other info. The seller offered a full refund or a further discount, as the unit was at that time working 100% I took the further discount. 1 week later the unit stopped working altogether, I contacted the seller, received a REM # by return & received my Full refund within 7 days. I will not use that particular reseller again but Amazon are OK.

[ravinj]

The immediate retuns policy of box shifters is all very well, but the problem with them comes, say, 6 months down the line. If your camera THEN develops a fault, who do you turn to?

 

You contact the manufacturer. That is what the warranty is for.

 

I have also found that developing a relationship with a dealer is very useful in less direct ways. You can't say to Amazon "Can you keep a look out for an f2.8 Summaron for me please?", or "Would you sell this for me on commission?", or "I'll trade you an M7 and a 90 Summarit for a mint black MP"

 

You can sell things on Amazon and order a lot of stuff that is not readily available - they will deliver when they have it.

 

Call Amazon/Costco, box shifters, but their return policy and customer service is pretty good. Better than a lot of "specialist" stores. Costco recently got repaired, FOR FREE, my friend's big screen LCD TV that he purchased 3 years ago. I would like to see a "specialist" store do that.

[h00ligan]

I agree, I couldn't find a good many things locally (even willing to pay more) if I didn't use Amazon. I do exactly what you said, anything past return policy that presents trouble, goes to the manufacturer. I don't feel there's any advantage in adding a middle man to that equation. What's my local camera shop going to do with a digital camera that goes awry? send it to the manufacturer like I would.

[Guest badbob]

I agree, I couldn't find a good many things locally (even willing to pay more) if I didn't use Amazon. I do exactly what you said, anything past return policy that presents trouble, goes to the manufacturer. I don't feel there's any advantage in adding a middle man to that equation. What's my local camera shop going to do with a digital camera that goes awry? send it to the manufacturer like I would.

 

It's good to know that when an item goes bad you can send it to the actual manufacturer's repair shop, where they have *all* authorized materials and replacement parts, and actual employees of the manufacturer who do the top-quality work that they had long and thorough training for.

 

Do you see where I'm going with this? This scenario is rare for any product you buy. In the case of a very expensive small Sony laptop computer I bought, the only repair option was a fly-by-night outfit in Florida, who screwed up the repair twice, each time requiring 2 months wait.

[courtandspark]

i bought my leica x1 new just a few weeks ago, downloaded the lightroom software but only got the version 2 (point something). i called leica to see why i didn't get the newest one, and they said that my camera had a previous owner who already downloaded the software in march. leica have sorted this now and given me lightroom 3. the people i bought the camera from said it is not correct, and sometimes this happens because another person might have by mistake given the wrong serial number which coincided with mine (it was bought from a reputable online retailer). anyway, i would be grateful if someone could tell me how to do a shutter count...i can't find that info in the manual. please bear in mind that i'm not too good with digital cameras and computers and need simple instructions! many thanks for any help.

[phancj]

i bought my leica x1 new just a few weeks ago, downloaded the lightroom software but only got the version 2 (point something). i called leica to see why i didn't get the newest one, and they said that my camera had a previous owner who already downloaded the software in march. leica have sorted this now and given me lightroom 3. the people i bought the camera from said it is not correct, and sometimes this happens because another person might have by mistake given the wrong serial number which coincided with mine (it was bought from a reputable online retailer). anyway, i would be grateful if someone could tell me how to do a shutter count...i can't find that info in the manual. please bear in mind that i'm not too good with digital cameras and computers and need simple instructions! many thanks for any help.

 

Frankly I wouldnt worry if I were you, if the functionality and exterior are ok.

 

Having said that thats precisely why I like where I live, you buy something like the X1 there is no return policy, you sell it as used after you walk out the store. So my X1 and all electronics stuff is brand new for sure.

 

And yes, do our homework before buying then...