amyukie Posted December 7, 2011 Share #1 Posted December 7, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi folks, I am planning to buy an X1. I am on a tight budget and having a dilemma. Should I buy a used, refurb, or new X1?? - Used around $1400 - Refurb around $1700 - New around $1900 I can get the used one at the beginning of Jan 2012. But, for refurb or new maybe it will take sometime like in March or April. is it ok to get a used X1? considering it is an expensive camera and we all know it is not very "tough".. Please help me!! Thanks. Yukie ps: I live in the US Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 7, 2011 Posted December 7, 2011 Hi amyukie, Take a look here Still cant decide.. new vs refurb vs used. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wda Posted December 7, 2011 Share #2 Posted December 7, 2011 Hi folks,....and we all know it is not very "tough".. Please help me!!Thanks. Yukie ps: I live in the US Welcome to the forum, Yukie. Where is your evidence for the above claim? I have had one from new; no problems. If handled sensibly it is a very rugged and capable compact camera. The only slightly weak part is the access hatch to the battery compartment. That is only a perception because I cannot recall anyone actually breaking the hatch hinge. If funds are tight, I would buy the best available specimen you can afford from a Leica dealer. Since the black version arrived, I guess that many have been bought by users part-exchanging a silver/grey version which is why more are appearing in the market. A dealer should give you a warranty. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jippiejee Posted December 7, 2011 Share #3 Posted December 7, 2011 As with all used cameras I bought: they usually spent most of their lives on a shelf and that's why they're sold. Just make some pictures and check the images on your laptop screen. Easy way to save you some money. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyukie Posted December 7, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted December 7, 2011 Hi, Thanks for the responses. I have been reading the X1 posts in this forum, and have learned some issues, such as the pop-up flash, dust inside the body, peeled skin, battery hatch. I know it is better if I can try the camera before making a purchase. But, how can I do that if Im buying from another user on eBay? Leica dealers, as wda mentioned, might have a warranty, but the price is very high. Again, thank you. Yukie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted December 7, 2011 Share #5 Posted December 7, 2011 [quote name=amyukie;1908908....Leica dealers' date=' as wda mentioned, might have a warranty, but the price is very high. Again, thank you. Yukie[/quote] Generally you get what you pay for. Do you want peace of mind or are you prepared to take the risk? As I have said in the past, it does pay to develop a relationship with a good dealer; it is an investment in the future. With ebay you can never be sure what you are getting. Past abuse is sometimes hidden and not obvious. Sometimes ebay prices exceed what you might pay at a dealer. So it is difficult to generalize. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebear Posted December 7, 2011 Share #6 Posted December 7, 2011 I can only speak from experience, but bought my X1 on eBay for about £500 less than a new one would cost. It was in perfect condition and had only taken a few hundred shots. It was the only way I could afford one. And yes, I love it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted December 7, 2011 Share #7 Posted December 7, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yukie, the X1 is a beautiful camera that produces excellent results even at high ISOs. The single focal length can be limiting. I really like the design and the manual controls. My X1 got dust on the sensor, and had to be sent in for cleaning, then the sensor failed and it had to be sent back again. I ended up trading it towards an M9. I am suspicious of the reliability of all digital products, compared with film cameras, but if it were me that extra $500 would be worth it for the peace of mind of a manufacturer's and dealer's warranty. It may, however, be worth looking for a secondhand one that came with an extended warranty. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyukie Posted December 7, 2011 Author Share #8 Posted December 7, 2011 Hi folks, Thank you for giving your opinions. I got the idea now and probably go with wda and NZDavid advices to get the X1 from an authorized dealer. This is an expensive camera, maybe the most expensive thing I will spend so far in my life (Im just a grad student). I think having some peace of mind is not a bad idea at all. I would also consider bluebear and jippijee insights about buying a used one if only I can find it on my local craigslist and just go and test it by myself. Otherwise, I would not mind to pay the premium price. Many thanks once again, this forum has been really helpful. Yukie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jippiejee Posted December 8, 2011 Share #9 Posted December 8, 2011 Enjoy your X1, what ever way you obtain one. It's an amazing little camera. I just got myself an M8 today, which is a heavy beast compared to the X1: light, high IQ, a perfect companion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyukie Posted December 8, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted December 8, 2011 Jippiejee, Congrats on your new M8, I wish I had more money to buy a real RF. How much did you spend for it? btw, a bit OOT question, Is there any remote shutter for X1? I am thinking of getting a magnetic gorillapod, so it will be a perfect match. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earful Posted December 9, 2011 Share #11 Posted December 9, 2011 well i'm late to the party, but just wanted to say that i bought a factory refurb from popflash. it came with a one year warranty. it looked new when it arrived and has given me no problems, which is what i expected, given that, i assume, it would have been thoroughly inspected and "tuned" by leica. i would buy from popflash, whether new, used, factory refurb'd or demo, before turning to ebay. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted December 9, 2011 Share #12 Posted December 9, 2011 Agree, I'd go with a dealer. At least you will have some come back. Other choices are Fuji X10/100, Leica M8 secondhand, or even save some money and get a D-Lux 5....and/or a film M. But I suspect you would still be eager to try an X1. Pros and cons whichever you get. Yes, it's pricey, so worth deliberating. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyukie Posted December 9, 2011 Author Share #13 Posted December 9, 2011 earful, Thanks for your input. Popflash is having a used black X1 for $1398 which is a good deal (though i need to pay a tax because their office is also in CA). I will visit the store once I get my paycheck and if the camera is still available. NZDavid, Actually I was interested in Leica after looking at some photos taken by a D-lux 5. I was about to get that camera before but when I looked some more pictures, the X1's pics really caught my attention. Some the best B&W's I have seen were taken out of that camera. However, after reading some bad experiences from X1 users, I am a little bit skeptical with my upcoming decision. The other choices I have been considering are X100, GXR, D-lux 5, and P-EN 3. Those cameras have unique pros/cons. X100: better build, nice IQ, but the sticky apature blades problem is unacceptable. P-EN 3: FAST AF (good for street photography), acceptable IQ, but not APS-C sensor D-lux 5: nice build, nice IQ, but people say it is similar with LX5, also not APS-C sensor GXR: best build, best user interface, nice IQ, but ugly as a beast so my final decision is between X1 and GXR. If I go with my brain, I would choose GXR. But, if I go with my heart, I would choose X1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jippiejee Posted December 9, 2011 Share #14 Posted December 9, 2011 Jippiejee, Congrats on your new M8, I wish I had more money to buy a real RF. How much did you spend for it? I bought it from a photographer down the street for €1750. He recently upgraded to the M9, advised by his accountant. It's funny how that tax-deductible purchase was almost covered by selling his M8 to me... I brought some lenses, he had some summiluxes, fun how two guys were sitting at his table playing with each other's lenses like we were 5 and exchanged toy cars or something. Comparing the Leica X1 and the M8, I have to say these are completely different tools. I love the M8 for its ability to take different lenses, but the X1 shines if you want something high-IQ with AF to throw in your coat pocket and take it anywhere. I'd have a hard time deciding what to bring on a trip... probably the X1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyukie Posted December 10, 2011 Author Share #15 Posted December 10, 2011 lol, yes, I still believe X1 is superb for IQ and its compact size makes it even better. If I get it I will probably sell my dslr and the lenses. Have you had any bad experience with X1 so far, jippiejee? one that you had to send it to be repaired... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jippiejee Posted December 10, 2011 Share #16 Posted December 10, 2011 Have you had any bad experience with X1 so far, jippiejee? one that you had to send it to be repaired... See, that's the problem with these boards. You won't hear from the thousands of happy users, only the handful of photographers that encounter a problem with their camera, start searching and posting to forums. My X1 has been a reliable and pleasurable camera for more than a year for me, it traveled with me to various countries and has always given my great results. Just get one and enjoy it, don't worry. It's still a Leica and meant to be used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enboe Posted December 16, 2011 Share #17 Posted December 16, 2011 With used, you won't get the software. Refurb and New come with software and warranty. I have had zero problems with mine, purchased new. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpjansen Posted December 16, 2011 Share #18 Posted December 16, 2011 Hi folks, I am planning to buy an X1. I am on a tight budget and having a dilemma. Should I buy a used, refurb, or new X1?? - Used around $1400 - Refurb around $1700 - New around $1900 I can get the used one at the beginning of Jan 2012. But, for refurb or new maybe it will take sometime like in March or April. is it ok to get a used X1? considering it is an expensive camera and we all know it is not very "tough".. Please help me!! Thanks. Yukie ps: I live in the US Hi Yukie Find a Leica dealer in your town or state, drop in and have a chat with them. If a camera is good enough to be re-sold as "used" it is good for you. In general, Leica dealers are proud of what they're selling and will provide support on "used" equipment. Buying on-line, sight unseen etc. is not generally recommended but there are some very reputable on-line Leica dealers; however, you didn't mention the nature of your source. I have owned an X1 since June 2010 and have no evidence to the effect that this camera is not "tough", though I do not treat this camera and any other one as a pocketable device. The X1 gets carried on my motorcycle in a padded bag designed for a small mini-DV camera, who cares? It gets carried in my backpack in the same padded bag through airport inspections, who cares? I do not (usually) leave home without my X1 in the same padded bag and may not take it out for days, who cares? It is there when I want it. The battery hatch design ought not to have been approved but it isn't very broken either. I haven't had peeling issues or sensor dust, and I do not need the flash (period). When you take it out of the bag and start walking and stopping to frame and read the light -- that's when you'll begin to love the X1 Just go and buy a good used one from a reputable source. You'll not have regrets. Jos Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyukie Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share #19 Posted December 16, 2011 jpjansen, I appreciate your message and I feel more confident to get a used camera *from a legit leica dealer*. Thanks for reminding me to not to buy the unseen used one, as I forgot to mention that my source is eBay. I almost dropped a deposit few days ago to someone who were selling his X1 with 36mm viewfinder for only $1250 on-line. Thank god, he said that another buyer suddenly offered him a deal that day, if not, I would probably regret that decision for the rest of my life. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpjansen Posted December 16, 2011 Share #20 Posted December 16, 2011 jpjansen, I appreciate your message and I feel more confident to get a used camera *from a legit leica dealer*. Thanks for reminding me to not to buy the unseen used one, as I forgot to mention that my source is eBay. I almost dropped a deposit few days ago to someone who were selling his X1 with 36mm viewfinder for only $1250 on-line. Thank god, he said that another buyer suddenly offered him a deal that day, if not, I would probably regret that decision for the rest of my life. Good for you. Now go out and shoot. Mullet is f/2.8 @ 1/100, cropped but not otherwise corrected Jos Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/168047-still-cant-decide-new-vs-refurb-vs-used/?do=findComment&comment=1872934'>More sharing options...
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