X Vario...At What Price Would You Buy?

[ahkai]

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X Vario has a list price in the US of $2850. Yesterday a dealer in Hong Kong offered me a new (grey market from Europe) X Vario for $2200. If you have been considering this little camera but think the price is too high then at what price point do you jump in?

 

This is the cheapest I have seen so far at USD$1,736

 

Leica X Vario Digital Camera (Black)

 

I believe they only offer 1 year in house warranty and they are based in Singapore. According to their site, they even have the M in stock too.

[colonel]

This is the cheapest I have seen so far at USD$1,736

 

Leica X Vario Digital Camera (Black)

 

I believe they only offer 1 year in house warranty and they are based in Singapore. According to their site, they even have the M in stock too.

 

looks like a con

in any event I expect you have to add US tax & duty

[ahkai]

looks like a con

in any event I expect you have to add US tax & duty

 

If you look at the site you will see their location is in Singapore. If you are buying via the Internet, of course you will have to pay import duty as well, just like any purchase on the Internet for all buyers from Australia (unless it is less than A$1000). If you are buying from Singapore, I believe you are also eligible to a 7% GST discount too (I am not sure if those listed prices are for the locals or for export market). How much tax you will be paying it's all depending where you are buying from. Maybe this is just a publicity stunt. Any readers visiting Singapore right now, perhaps should drop by the shop and check it out.

[barjohn]

There is no tax and duty on cameras in the US. However, their prices and claimed availability on M, MM, X2, XV, etc. makes it a case of too good to be true and a likely con in which you will lose your money.

[iforum]

you don't like a camera you have never used or owned

Not true I actually have had and still have the opportunity to use it quite extensively. Unfortunately it just isn't flexible enough sorta suffers the same way as the Fujis, great to hold, capable of producing great files but very ordinary in focusing.

 

ps. too much contrasting saturation of color and cool blue overtones in the images......white balance need tweaking

[Ecaton]

This is the cheapest I have seen so far at USD$1,736

 

Leica X Vario Digital Camera (Black)

 

I believe they only offer 1 year in house warranty and they are based in Singapore. According to their site, they even have the M in stock too.

 

Does not look trustworthy to me. Prices, eventually will get this low, but not this quick for new ones, no way. Their address shows Indonesia, the "about us section" Singapore and then they show USD prices rather than the currency of their home market. At least I assume the 1736 is not Singapore $, as this would translate into 0.8 times USD. The M is priced at $4300 on their web page and is shown in stock. I think this says it all.

[ahkai]

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Does not look trustworthy to me. Prices, eventually will get this low, but not this quick for new ones, no way. Their address shows Indonesia, the "about us section" Singapore and then they show USD prices rather than the currency of their home market. At least I assume the 1736 is not Singapore $, as this would translate into 0.8 times USD.

 

I did emailed them as I was just as surprised when I saw it. Price is in USD and with 1 year in house warranty. Remember this, if you buy this camera and fly back to US and if something goes wrong with it, you will have to return the camera back to Singapore for repair. Now, I am not sure how Leica products warranty work, like do they have a set of serial nos that they do not provide warranty?

 

As for the address, yes, they have 2 locations. One in Indonesia and the other one is in Singapore at Orchard Roda <http://www.joinplasma.com/location/>. Now you must be wondering why. Perhaps you should also understand that many Indonesians (especial those Chinese) invest their business in Singapore as well. Many well to do Indonesian Chinese also send their children for education in Singapore. Perhaps one should have some basic knowledge about South East Asia region to understand this.

 

Just to point out that I too have bought the X Vario camera here (cheaper than those price listed in US or maybe in Euro too) and I have not purchased any item from this shop in Singapore. Whether this is a publicity stunt or something else, I have no idea. If you have any good friends living or working in Singapore, perhaps ask them to call up the shop to verify this.

[Ecaton]

I did emailed them as I was just as surprised when I saw it. Price is in USD and with 1 year in house warranty. Remember this, if you buy this camera and fly back to US and if something goes wrong with it, you will have to return the camera back to Singapore for repair. Now, I am not sure how Leica products warranty work, like do they have a set of serial nos that they do not provide warranty?

 

As for the address, yes, they have 2 locations. One in Indonesia and the other one is in Singapore at Orchard Roda <http://www.joinplasma.com/location/>. Now you must be wondering why. Perhaps you should also understand that many Indonesians (especial those Chinese) invest their business in Singapore as well. Many well to do Indonesian Chinese also send their children for education in Singapore. Perhaps one should have some basic knowledge about South East Asia region to understand this.

 

Just to point out that I too have bought the X Vario camera here (cheaper than those price listed in US or maybe in Euro too) and I have not purchased any item from this shop in Singapore. Whether this is a publicity stunt or something else, I have no idea. If you have any good friends living or working in Singapore, perhaps ask them to call up the shop to verify this.

 

Thanks for the hint re basic knowledge of South Asia region. It so happens that I spent a fair share of business days in Singapore. An outlet to claim to have Leica Ms in stock and priced at USD 4300 is not for me. I take care of my hard earned money. And to use your eloquent phrasing: Sometimes "having some basic knowledge of business" is useful in decision making.

[barjohn]

Don't you have to ask yourself why would any legitimate company sell a camera no one can get and that is selling at over list on eBay for $4300 and claim to have stock when legitimate dealers can't get stock. Even Leica Boutiques are not overflowing with stock. We have seen several posts about Leica's stolen from dealers...maybe...?

[colonel]

Not true I actually have had and still have the opportunity to use it quite extensively. Unfortunately it just isn't flexible enough sorta suffers the same way as the Fujis, great to hold, capable of producing great files but very ordinary in focusing.

 

ps. too much contrasting saturation of color and cool blue overtones in the images......white balance need tweaking

 

I respect that the camera does not meet your needs

Super fast focusing is the lowest on my list of things I require.

I do find the X-Vario generally very fast though.

I find the colours the best this side of Canon, but again that's taste.

[StephenPatterson]

Price for X-Vario still falling in Hong Kong. Now available for $2099, cash price.

[saibaiwei]

Price for X-Vario still falling in Hong Kong. Now available for $2099, cash price.

 

Perfect place to buy then, most HKers I know support strongly only of the M film and digital bodies and the lenses. A few also collect LTMs, mostly collectors in HK. I guess I can imagine why they don't think the X Vario is a "collector's" piece.

[mrware]

Don't you have to ask yourself why would any legitimate company sell a camera no one can get and that is selling at over list on eBay for $4300 and claim to have stock when legitimate dealers can't get stock. Even Leica Boutiques are not overflowing with stock. We have seen several posts about Leica's stolen from dealers...maybe...?

I 100% agree with what you are saying, yet there is a contingent of folk out there that will overlook all the logic in the world to save a penny. This one looks like a sure way to prove out the old adage of a fool and his money...

[rsh]

You know, I have one. I like it. I know its limitations. I have no complaints about photo quality. I would buy it again at $2,880.00.

[Guest]

You know, I have one. I like it. I know its limitations. I have no complaints about photo quality. I would buy it again at $2,880.00.

 

I have also one. my leica dream team: D-Lux 6 and the new XVario. I would both buy it again.

 

br kmhb

[Lahii]

to be truth even if price will be 1000 USD i will think 1000 times before to buy X VARIO))))

 

hhmmm

 

While you are thinking, I am taking actual pictures

[Guest badbob]

While you are thinking, I am taking actual pictures

 

The guy who wouldn't buy an XV for $1000 - his name is LeicaTraveler. Someone with a name like that who wouldn't give $1000 for such a quality Leica camera must have some very extensive experience and facts to explain why.

[barjohn]

Maybe he's just being an A**hole because he can. Even an Oly Zeiss zoom lens is $1,000 so he is being unrealistic. This lens is really superb and certainly worth $1,000, even if someone else made it for Leica (I don't know whether that is true or not). The color accuracy on this camera is second to none and gives one the creative freedom to vary from accurate to personal taste. Some things Lieca does very well and some not so good.

[firoze]

Price for X-Vario still falling in Hong Kong. Now available for $2099, cash price.

 

Stephen, where in HK is it available at that price?

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[dkCambridgeshire]

For me, the XV is the most cost effective and most used (in preference to my other Leica cameras) Leica camera I've bought. How else can anyone buy a quality, genuine Leica, zoom lens ... which when used at any aperture and focal length achieves superb resolution? The XV's zoom lens' performance is only matched by the 28-90mm Vario Elmarit 'R' Asph. lens which now realises secondhand prices in excess of £4K. The same team which designed the 28-90mm Vario Elmarit 'R' Asph. lens also designed the XV's 28-70mm (FF equivalent) lens. Furthermore, using the XV with Leica R Elpro lenses (via adaptors) for close-up photography converts the camera into a superb macro camera capable of exhibition quality results.

 

I had no hesitation in buying the camera last June after seeing the XV's first published images on this forum.

 

The X Vario has been subject to a lot of criticism - especially when launched - but those naysayer short sighted critics have been proved wrong.

 

And take note of the fact that the XV's high ISO performance is exemplary too.

 

If Leica had adopted a more sensible marketing approach with the XV and not called it a Mini M, sales would probably have been much higher.

 

The 'Mini M' label was and still is a disaster ... but the XV is not. The X-Vario is an underrated and highly capable tool camera deserving of more appreciation ... and a few more accessories when Leica (maybe) finally get their production logistics fully sorted .

 

dunk