Stewart Weir Posted March 1, 2010 Share #1 Posted March 1, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) 1 March 2010: Arctic explorer and photographer, Martin Hartley, left the UK last week equipped with a specially-tested LEICA MP camera with LEICA ELMARIT-M 24mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens as part of his expedition equipment – vital for capturing the historic photos during his latest journey to the North Pole for the Catlin Arctic Survey. Martin is one of three explorers on the 2010 Catlin Arctic Survey, which is focused on capturing scientific data on how CO2 affects marine life in the Arctic. One of the world’s leading expedition photographers, Martin Hartley has documented 19 unique polar assignments and is one of the only professional photographers to have crossed the Arctic Ocean on foot and with dogs: Adventure Ecology Top of the World Trans-Arctic Expedition 2006, and Catlin Arctic Survey 2009 – an international collaboration between polar explorers and some of the world’s foremost scientific bodies to help determine how long the Arctic Ocean sea ice cover will remain a permanent feature of our planet. Martin Hartley commented, “Despite 19 polar photographic assignments over the last 12 years, there are still ‘impossible’ images to capture. At the start of every expedition on the Arctic Ocean in late February/March, it is difficult to survive let alone operate a camera due to the severe conditions. Below minus 40 degrees Celsius, electronic circuits slow down and become unreliable. The mechanical LEICA MP will give me the best chance of capturing those elusive, extremely cold photographs this time, which may be our last opportunity to do so.” The expedition will take three months from start to finish. The progress of the expedition, which commenced on 25 February 2010 starting from Canada, will be documented at The Catlin Arctic Survey 2010 and on a special micro-site at Martin Hartley Polar Photography. Updates will also be communicated regularly via Twitter @ArcticSurvey. During his trip, Martin will regularly send back film for developing, and images from the expedition will be posted regularly on his web site. About Martin Hartley Martin specialises in documenting the most inaccessible places on earth. He first gained public recognition at the age of 17 as runner-up in the Young Wildlife Photographer of The Year 1987 and has worked as a professional photographer ever since, winning numerous other awards including both portrait and adventure categories in the Travel Photographer of the Year. His sustained commitment to capture the beauty of unadulterated landscapes and remote communities has taken him to some of the most isolated and challenging locations in the world. His in-depth technical knowledge, creative vision and ability to produce results in the most difficult of conditions makes him a highly sought after expedition and adventure photographer. Martin has been nominated one of Time Magazine’s Heroes of the Environment for his work documenting the state of the North Polar sea ice cover with the Catlin Arctic Survey. His first book, Face to Face: Polar Portraits, in collaboration with the Scott Polar Research Institute, has just been published to accompany a touring exhibition. More at Home - Martin Hartley Photography Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 1, 2010 Posted March 1, 2010 Hi Stewart Weir, Take a look here Leica MP Goes to the Arctic. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest aurora_borealis Posted March 1, 2010 Share #2 Posted March 1, 2010 I live in the arctic and the MP really works great here. But I guess most other mechanical cameras would be fine too. I am looking forward to see what the expedition brings forward. Thanks for the links. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mole73 Posted March 3, 2010 Share #3 Posted March 3, 2010 Does anyone know what "specially tested" means? I think it´s no "modification" but a "pre-test" for the upcoming conditions? Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted March 3, 2010 Share #4 Posted March 3, 2010 Probably that it's working properly and the speeds are spot on. Maybe a couple special lubricants here and there to cope with the temps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted March 3, 2010 Share #5 Posted March 3, 2010 Blimey, from the tone of that press release you'd think that nobody had ever taken photographs at the North Pole before. I'll also never understand why some (apparently very good) photographers can become so fixated by a brand of camera that have to make such a song and dance about it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dk_samurai Posted March 3, 2010 Share #6 Posted March 3, 2010 ...with a specially-tested LEICA MP camera with LEICA ELMARIT-M 24mm f/2.8 ASPH... Very good photos indeed, but he's going on a 3 month expedition with only a 24mm? Sounds like he's very confident in his choice of focal length. Then again, some people are. /David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted March 3, 2010 Share #7 Posted March 3, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Very good photos indeed, but he's going on a 3 month expedition with only a 24mm? Sounds like he's very confident in his choice of focal length. Then again, some people are. /David This reminds me the most pathetic thread I read in my whole internet life. A guy was planning to go to Japan and he was asking advice to the forum. Well, he went and came back 2 weeks later, bragging like crazy about his trip and his Godly equipment. He transported more then 150 lbs of equipment everywhere he went on the streets. 3 bodies, all the possible Zooms, even a 200-400 f4, flashes, tripods... And his pictures were extremely entertaining, funny (not to say pathetic). A few years later he confessed publicly to having been a total fool. Yes, a Leica and a single lens is all one needs. Shooting with Leicas usually presupposes the photographer is experienced. This being said, the only Leica that comes to my mind, if I had to go in the Antarctica, would definitely be the M4-P. That is one rugged Pro camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyp Posted March 3, 2010 Share #8 Posted March 3, 2010 I hope Mr. Hartley takes along a spare; MP is a great camera but ''stuff happens'' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted March 4, 2010 Share #9 Posted March 4, 2010 This being said, ..... if I had to go in the Antarctica, would definitely be the M4-P. That is one rugged Pro camera. Yea but he's going to have a squiz at the north pole:rolleyes:. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted March 4, 2010 Share #10 Posted March 4, 2010 Yea but he's going to have a squiz at the north pole:rolleyes:. And what's the difference? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KM-25 Posted March 4, 2010 Share #11 Posted March 4, 2010 I'm sure Martin is going to do fine in getting images with that special MP, just like seasoned arctic shooter Thomas Ulrich has done for decades, but with light graphite dry lubed Nikon FM2N and FM3A bodies. I would not hesitate to take my FM3A, M6, MP or M3 to either pole. Just make sure the lube is not too tight in tolerance, looser and dryer is better, lenses included if you are there for more than just Michael Reichman's arctic pleasure cruise... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elansprint72 Posted March 4, 2010 Share #12 Posted March 4, 2010 And what's the difference? You can only eat penguins at one of them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Realphotos Posted March 4, 2010 Share #13 Posted March 4, 2010 This forum is incredible in the way it twists and turns what it supports. Leica cameras are not perfect and this man has chosen an MP that means a lot of his skill/input is required to make some imagery. He's chosen the 24mm 2.8 which Putts considers a "Leica Masterpiece" Since I've just been to Antarctica recently I wish him well. Great decision on equipment and every encouragement to make some great pictures. No cheap shot comments. Do keep an eye on temperature changes with the lense to avoid internal condensation. Post some great shots and look forward to it. I had an M9 and an M8 has backup. Not needed! Spare battery sometimes needed. Congratulations on choosing Leica. Like a Stradivarius it works well in the hands of a competent artist. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvaliquette Posted March 4, 2010 Share #14 Posted March 4, 2010 You can only eat penguins at one of them. No penguins in the Arctic! Only in the southern hemisphere, but then as far north as the equator (Galapagos penguins). Guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AgXlove Posted March 5, 2010 Share #15 Posted March 5, 2010 This reminds me the most pathetic thread I read in my whole internet life. A guy was planning to go to Japan and he was asking advice to the forum. Well, he went and came back 2 weeks later, bragging like crazy about his trip and his Godly equipment. He transported more then 150 lbs of equipment everywhere he went on the streets. 3 bodies, all the possible Zooms, even a 200-400 f4, flashes, tripods... And his pictures were extremely entertaining, funny (not to say pathetic). A few years later he confessed publicly to having been a total fool. Yes, a Leica and a single lens is all one needs. Shooting with Leicas usually presupposes the photographer is experienced. This being said, the only Leica that comes to my mind, if I had to go in the Antarctica, would definitely be the M4-P. That is one rugged Pro camera. Sounds like he had a raging case of "National Geographic photographer syndrome," an easy pitfall for unseasoned photographers (been there myself in the early stages of my photographic endeavors - although at my worst, I never dragged around even 1/4 of such a monstrous load). Steve McCurry (I've read) carries two bodies and 20, 35, 50 and 85 lenses. This was his kit for his work in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Tibet. With that minimal kit, he produced magnificent images. I have come to be an adherant of the less gear, more photographs philosophy - mainly because it works. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiZZ Posted March 5, 2010 Share #16 Posted March 5, 2010 So what would you guys recommend as a good kit for the cold? I'm thinking M2, 35 'cron, 50 LTM, and an FM2 with a 28 and 50. No digital, but lots of film. In other news, did anyone manage to get his website to open? I click on the link but it fails to load. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyp Posted March 5, 2010 Share #17 Posted March 5, 2010 Nope, no problems w/links. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aurora_borealis Posted March 6, 2010 Share #18 Posted March 6, 2010 So what would you guys recommend as a good kit for the cold? . It depends on what you are going to do and how you define cold. The only experiences I have are from Greenland where I live and I can say that I use film without any problems. Digital gave me problems that I could not live with. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted March 6, 2010 Share #19 Posted March 6, 2010 Sounds like he had a raging case of "National Geographic photographer syndrome," an easy pitfall for unseasoned photographers (been there myself in the early stages of my photographic endeavors - although at my worst, I never dragged around even 1/4 of such a monstrous load). Steve McCurry (I've read) carries two bodies and 20, 35, 50 and 85 lenses. This was his kit for his work in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Tibet. With that minimal kit, he produced magnificent images. I have come to be an adherant of the less gear, more photographs philosophy - mainly because it works. I have my Theory on McCurry. I think he sold his soul to the Devil. After what I saw in the Unguarded moment, it's clear. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest maddoc2003jp Posted March 6, 2010 Share #20 Posted March 6, 2010 M4-P, 21/3.4 Super-Angulon-M, 9cm Elmar 1:4, Sekonic L-208 (one second battery) and lots of film.... This being said, the only Leica that comes to my mind, if I had to go in the Antarctica, would definitely be the M4-P. That is one rugged Pro camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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