In my article titledAntarctica 2007 – What Worked? What Didn'tI mentioned that I had brought along my relatively new Leica M8 system. But then in my ongoingAntarctic Portfolio: 2007I didn't show any images taken with the M8. This, combined with the poor M8 reliability report from this trip lead to quite a few e-mails from readers asking if I had used the M8 at all, was I still using it, enjoying it, and why the hell hadn't I shot with it in Antarctica?!

The answer lies in large part with the same thoughts and considerations thatNick Devlinhas expressed is his essayThe Leica M8 in Antarctica. The M8 simply wasn't the right camera for the type of shooting which we did there. Some photographers get very fixated on cameras as techy toys and fetish objects, and derive ego satisfaction from brand loyalty and the reassurance of having made the right buying decision. Even the slightest disparaging remark against their favourite brand is taken as a personal insult.

Sleeping. The C...