Skip to main content

Andrea Torrei

 

Andrea Torrei, an acclaimed Italian street and documentary photographer, primarily relies on the Leica Q (Typ 116) for her work. 

Here's a breakdown of her preferred gear based on interviews and her award-winning photos:

Primary Camera

  • Leica Q (Typ 116)

    • A compact, full-frame rangefinder-style camera with a fixed 28 mm Summilux f/1.7 lens

    • Lightweight, quiet, and excellent in low‑light—ideal for street and church interiors

    • Appears consistently in her photo contest submissions (2022–2023)

Leica Q (Typ 116)

Other Cameras

  • Olympus OM‑D E‑M5 Mark II

    • Used in some 2023 travel (Catania) series.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II

  • Leica M, Leica SL, Leica S, Leica CL/TL and analog

    • Mentioned on her profile at Leica Fotografie International, suggesting she’s experimented with various Leica systems.

Why These Choices Matter

  • Leica Q offers:

    • Fixed 28 mm lens: sharp, wide enough for context-rich street shots

    • Quiet operation & compact size: discreet & unobtrusive—excellent for candid moments

    • High ISO capabilities: performs well in dim environments like churches

  • Olympus E‑M5 Mark II:

    • Micro Four Thirds system—lightweight with stabilization, great for travel

  • Occasional use of higher-end Leica systems hints at her interest in pushing image quality and experimenting with different setups

Typical Camera Setup

  • One camera + one lens: minimal kit for creative focus (as she herself says: “one camera and one lens, and a second body that I usually never use”)

  • Engages deeply with subjects rather than juggling multiple pieces of gear

In Summary

Andrea Torrei’s camera gear prioritizes simplicity, discretion, and image quality:

  • Main tool: Leica Q (Typ 116) with fixed 28 mm Summilux lens

  • Occasional travel camera: Olympus E‑M5 Mark II

  • Exploration: various Leica systems (M, SL, S, analog)

Her approach reflects her creative philosophy: minimal gear, maximum connection.

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Saul Leiter

  Saul Leiter, renowned for his pioneering work in color street photography, utilized a diverse array of camera gear throughout his career, adapting his equipment choices to his evolving artistic vision.   Here's an overview of the cameras and lenses he employed: Film Cameras Leica M4 : During the 1970s and beyond, Leiter frequently used the Leica M4 for his commercial and fashion photography assignments. Leica M4 Leica CL : For street photography, he often opted for the compact Leica CL, appreciating its portability and discreet profile. Leica CL Canon A-1 and AE-1 : Leiter incorporated these Canon models into his street photography repertoire, valuing their versatility and the availability of quality FD lenses. Canon A1 Canon AE-1 Minox 35 EL : Known for its ultra-compact design, the Minox 35 EL was another camera Leiter used, aligning with his preference for unobtrusive equipment. Minix 35 EL Rolleiflex 6x6 : In his early career, particularly during the 1950s, L...
Read more

Matt Black

Matt Black, a renowned Magnum photographer, is celebrated for his stark black-and-white imagery that delves into themes of poverty, migration, and environmental issues, particularly in California's Central Valley.   His approach to photography is characterized by a minimalist setup, allowing him to focus on storytelling without the distraction of extensive gear. Camera Equipment Olympus Digital Camera : During his extensive travels for the American Geography project, Black utilized an Olympus digital camera (Olympus OM-D-E-M5 II). This choice provided him with a lightweight and reliable tool suitable for long journeys and varied shooting conditions.  Olympus OM-D-E-M5 II Find it on Amazon Sony RX100 II : for some of his work including his "Geography of Poverty" series and for images posted on Instagram, Black used a Sony RX100 II.  Sony RX100 II Find it on Amazon Hasselblad XPan (Panoramic Film Camera) : Complementing his digital work, Black employed a Hasselblad ...
Read more

Henri Cartier-Bresson

Henri Cartier-Bresson, often called the father of modern photojournalism, is most famously associated with Leica rangefinder cameras and a philosophy centered around the "decisive moment." His gear was intentionally minimalist, allowing him to be discreet, fast, and focused on composition and timing. Camera Bodies Leica Rangefinder Cameras: Cartier-Bresson almost exclusively used Leica 35mm rangefinder cameras throughout his career. He began with the Leica II and Leica III models, both equipped with collapsible 50mm Elmar lenses. After World War II, he transitioned to the Leica M3, which became his main camera for much of his later work. Henri Cartier-Bresson's first Leica Leica M3 Henri Cartier-Bresson's Leica camera Other Formats: On rare occasions, he also used medium format cameras such as the Rolleiflex and Hasselblad, but these were exceptions rather than the rule. Lenses 50mm Lens: His signature lens was the 50mm, most often the collapsible Leica 50mm Summ...
Read more