SL3 cheapskate packaging

[geesbert]

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After having a loaner for a couple of days I received today my own SL3. I am appalled by Leica's recent packaging decline. Although I am suffering like many of us of a restricted live space due to all the boxes of more or les useful or useless things I bought in recent decades clogging up my storage space, when I buy a high quality item I expect accordingly designed packaging. Leica was always great in that respect, offering their cameras in a treasure chest like enclosure which was great fun to open. 

 

an now this, which is nearly below Sony level. The lack of charger was already bemoaned, no hotshoe cover for someone like me who NEVER uses the hotshoe is noted, it all feels so cheap and certainly is. Shame on Leica! 

the M11 is packed like this too, I have been disappointed before. 

I know that buying a Leica doesn't give me the best and most recent tech, but it does give me the highest tech-pleasure, and I am happy to pay for that, but this packaging feels just tight arse. 

 

[LocalHero1953]

I would rather buy a camera, not packaging, which spends all its life in the attic. As long as it protects the camera that's good enough for me. I thought the treasure box packaging, with little drawers, was way OTT.

My SL, SL2 and SL2-S came with no hotshoe covers, because they don't need one - the camera is weather resistant. My CL, TL2, M240 all came with hotshoe covers - they weren't weather resistant.

[David Wien]

I would be quite happy with a less elaborate packaging than my Q3 came in: boxes within a boxe, within a box! Something just as secure but less grandiose would be fine.  Leica might even be able to reduce the price, also. 😀

David

[la1402]

As fancy as the drawer box was, it never served any real purpose for me outside of the initial unpacking "wow" moment. 

[rouge_homme]

I felt much the same when opening my SL3.

Yes, I realize it's 'just packaging' but it does somewhat degrade the premium feel of the product.

Agree that the old treasure box style was a bit over the top (and not overly functional) but considering an SL3 costs nearly as much an X2D, the Hasselblad packaging and standard inclusions make Leica look a tad frugal.

[NigelG]

Moving back to the UK from NYC last year my (empty) M Edition 60 boxes filled their own packing crate / inventory number 🙄

Edited March 20, 2024 by NigelG

[TeleElmar135mm]

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For me this package is enogh

 

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[MediaFotografie]

I like the SL packaging (all models are the same since 2015), it's a compromise between the antiquated drawer packaging of a Q and the loveless packaging from Nikon. But that's a matter of opinion

[SrMi]

22 minutes ago, TeleElmar135mm said:

For me this package is enogh

 

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For those unaware, the Christo-packaged Leica above will be auctioned off with a starting bid of EUR 40,000.- (estimated 80,000.-)

[Photoworks]

I got the grey box at the store, but the best thing was that I got a halfar tote bag with all the Leicons on it

Much more useful.

[dpitt]

5 hours ago, geesbert said:

After having a loaner for a couple of days I received today my own SL3. I am appalled by Leica's recent packaging decline. Although I am suffering like many of us of a restricted live space due to all the boxes of more or les useful or useless things I bought in recent decades clogging up my storage space, when I buy a high quality item I expect accordingly designed packaging. Leica was always great in that respect, offering their cameras in a treasure chest like enclosure which was great fun to open. 

 

an now this, which is nearly below Sony level. The lack of charger was already bemoaned, no hotshoe cover for someone like me who NEVER uses the hotshoe is noted, it all feels so cheap and certainly is. Shame on Leica! 

the M11 is packed like this too, I have been disappointed before. 

I know that buying a Leica doesn't give me the best and most recent tech, but it does give me the highest tech-pleasure, and I am happy to pay for that, but this packaging feels just tight arse. 

 

Maybe some pics will illustrate the new packaging better?
I am in the middle position in this matter. I do appreciate luxury packaging for luxury items. But when it is too elaborate, I start to wonder how much of my hard earned money was spent on the box, that becomes useless the moment it arrives intact.

I rarely buy Leica items new, so I am happy with items that come without a box. As long as they function well enough and the price reflects the cosmetic state, it is all fine for me.
 

Edited March 20, 2024 by dpitt

[PeterBoyadjian]

Just give me the camera, less evidence for the wifey to find. 

[geesbert]

Not totally terrible, but far from good

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[geesbert]

Anyone who bought any Apple product in the last decade knows the feeling when you open your new acquisition and the packaging reflects the quality of the product. If it doesn’t one starts to doubt… it doesn’t have to be over fancy, but it has to do the product justice 

[tomasis7]

geesbert, youre right. You should send it back and switch to the other systems. 

I got a used camera without any package. How do they DARE?

[LocalHero1953]

13 minutes ago, geesbert said:

Anyone who bought any Apple product in the last decade knows the feeling when you open your new acquisition and the packaging reflects the quality of the product. If it doesn’t one starts to doubt… it doesn’t have to be over fancy, but it has to do the product justice 

I have bought an iPhone and a MacBook in the last couple of years, and the packaging was fairly simple. I noticed it was appropriate, not excessive, The iPhone box in particular was small and pocketable. Certainly nothing like the jewel case packaging of the M240 or CL.

[David Wien]

34 minutes ago, geesbert said:

Not totally terrible, but far from good

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It looks quite adequate to me.

David

[insomnia]

I think it's problematic that Leica choses to cut down cost on packaging. Clearly they want to appeal to a certain "luxury clientele". If it's only price and the brand name that holds up to the promise, this might decline. Everyone knows about these "unboxing" videos. Leica has to stand out at these as well to live up to the brand.

I was often pleasantly surprised about the finesse of the packaging (M9, M10), with the SL2-S I cannot even remember. They should really think about where to cut down on 15 Euro cost (hint: also not in quality control) as buyers sure notice about the small things - and this adds to the buying experience (limiting the remorse of buying overpriced products 😉).

[Chuck Albertson]

When one of my Leicas is sent back to NJ for service, it goes into a bubblewrap sleeve and then into a padded envelope. They're tools, not jewels.

Leica are trying to reduce their carbon footprint, in this case by cutting the length of all those unboxing videos on Youtube.

Edited March 20, 2024 by Chuck Albertson

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[tomasis7]

5 minutes ago, Chuck Albertson said:

Leica are trying to reduce their carbon footprint, 

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