Leica X1 - Intrinsically safe???

[eduardoho]

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Is Leica X1 an intrinsically safe designed camera suitable to be used in hazardous/explosive environment? I don't believe so?,,, but it is worth asking. This small compact baby got the awesome ability to capture photos using existing low ambient lighting conditions without strobe in subsurface photography inside active large diameter sewer interceptors, I use the photos for industrial/engineering applications. I have taken some shots already and it is just unbelievably how crisp the images are, but I am violating the federal OSHA/PEOSHA's safety rules.

[diogenis]

How would it be intrinsically safe?

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[eduardoho]

A device is intrinsically safe due to its ability to perform all of its functions as intended by its design so that its internal electrical/electronic circuitry do not spark nor arc thereby preventing to cause explosion in an hazardous environment. Waterproofing may or may not create an intrinsically safe electrical/electronic device as per NEC (US National Electric Code). I am fully cognizant of other brands in the market which are designed to be intrinsically safe but I am particularly interested in a Leica brand camera. Thank you.

[earleygallery]

I doubt it's even crossed their minds! Good luck with it though.

[enboe]

A query on if it meets Mil-Spec requirements for explosive atmosphere operation would be interesting. I would guess no, due to the flash and associated high-voltage circuitry, which could fail and cause a spark.

 

On the other hand, there are many all-mechanical film Leicas that would definitely pass the test.

 

e.

[eduardoho]

You see, the titanium metal got non sparking surfaces, and it is not difficult to make internal electronic parts to be "sparkl-ess" and "arc-less" I believe it to be much less cumbersome than a waterproof body. So, it would be an ideal candidate, specially with their weatherproof binocular know how. And probably they are already a military supplier of OTAN (NATO) forces for their geosystem products. Just thinking in sync with the bright skunks at Leica skunkworks who are probably thinking in next marketing strategy.

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Is Leica X1 an intrinsically safe designed camera suitable to be used in hazardous/explosive environment? I don't believe so?

 

I don't believe so, either. if you were to drop it into water, you might short circuit something causing much drain on the battery which then might become hot or even leak.

 

Placing it into a watertight plastic bag with a clear window might do the trick.

 

This is just my opinion. Better ask Leica or some people who know about intrinsically safe electronic gear.

[andybarton]

Leica Geosystems are nothing to do with Leica Camera. They are completely separate companies.

 

IIRC, Leica Camera have to pay royalties to use the name.

[diogenis]

A device is intrinsically safe due to its ability to perform all of its functions as intended by its design so that its internal electrical/electronic circuitry do not spark nor arc thereby preventing to cause explosion in an hazardous environment. Waterproofing may or may not create an intrinsically safe electrical/electronic device as per NEC (US National Electric Code). I am fully cognizant of other brands in the market which are designed to be intrinsically safe but I am particularly interested in a Leica brand camera. Thank you.

 

Well, obviously if you go by the book you DO need an approved sealed camera for that. The small Leica surely isn't one...

On a side note you can also use the all mechanical MP with film.

[elansprint72]

Is Leica X1 an intrinsically safe designed camera suitable to be used in hazardous/explosive environment?

 

There is one way to find out.

[SJP]

I guess intrinsically safe means that there is a maximum voltage of the equipment? Also a metal body should be safer than plastic as static charges cannot build up so easily. I would expect the X1 to be in the same category as any mobile phone, DSLR, video camera etc.

 

Are there lists of "intrinsically safe" equipment?

 

The possibility to use the strobe (inadvertently) may be a problem.

[grober]

I-safe means you can use a particular device in a potentially explosive environment without consequence. Radio frequency (RF) devices used in munitions plants, for example, surely should not be prone to errant electrical discharges, for example.

 

I seriously doubt the X1 is I-safe. Ask Leica technical support if you need a definitive answer.

 

-g

[dkCambridgeshire]

EWA-MARINE market underwater housings for several Leica cameras including the S2 so expect there will eventually be a housing available for the X1 which might meet your required specification

 

Cameras Underwater: Housing Availability for Leica Digital Cameras

 

Cameras Underwater: Compact cameras and waterproof cases.

 

dunk

[Guest]

EWA-MARINE market underwater housings for several Leica cameras including the S2 so expect there will eventually be a housing available for the X1 which might meet your required specification

 

Cameras Underwater: Housing Availability for Leica Digital Cameras

 

Cameras Underwater: Compact cameras and waterproof cases.

 

dunk

 

petetaylor nailed it.

 

I got an evamarin, when I found out how much (=how little ) my Ricoh GX 200 is worth on ebay, for a rainy day.

 

S2 owners, specially the divers will probably search further instead.

 

Good thing no sparks come out from the super-fast, extra-precise manual focusing of the X1.

 

On the GXR one has My1, My2, My3 and for each, one can set two snap distances. This gives the total of 6 set distances that can be picked very easily, choosing between 1m 1,5m 2m 2,5m 3m 3,5m 5m and infinity.

 

The prospect to be forced to resell a very good lens when a more modern chip comes out, makes me gladly use my M8's rangefinder for focussing during the next 6-12-18 months. The more their 2nd hand prices drop, the more I recommend this red dot (with a Skopar or Summarit) for starters.

[jank]

Since Leica was not designed to be intrinsically safe,it would require very costly redesign.

1/ battery needs to be in separate compartment, selaed from the rest of the circuitry.

2/battery needs to be tested separately, subjected to a short emulating its internal short i.e. excluding all the protection circuitry.It must not oveheat,explode or or leak.

3/internal circuitry must withstand induced failures, electrical shorts etc. without overheating any components.Due added protective the battery life may be unreasonably short.

4/ amount of total capacitance in the circuitry is very limited, e.g. the one for flash is inacceptable.

4/depending on level of intrinsical safety, housing may be tested for leaks,fluids or dust.

5/electromechanical devices, like motors must be tested or approved ( inductive elements may cause sparking).

5/ added protective elements, like resistors and zener diodes which in case of circuitry failure must be able to dissipate the heat generated, due to its sizes, there may not be a space available in the housing.

6/ cost of approvals paid to approval agencies, about 40 - 60 k$.

7/ cost of redesign would be unreasonable.

Jan

[markgay]

You want Rugged? You got UGLY.

 

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Nice!

[diogenis]

Alternatively one can forget entirely about submerged cases and go... you can't beat that

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[ljclark]

Is Leica X1 an intrinsically safe designed camera suitable to be used in hazardous/explosive environment?

 

The answer is simple. If it is not marked on the camera, it is not intrinsically safe. Period. End of discussion.

 

You can talk about waterproof and equivalency in design and all the rest of that stuff and is still comes down to the same answer: No marking, no intrinsically safe.

 

Additionally, items certified as intrinsically safe are considered safe only for those hazardous locations identified in the marking.