Cindy Sherman is renowned not for her equipment, but for how she uses it to create deeply conceptual, transformative self-portraits. That said, over the decades, her camera gear has evolved with technology and her artistic needs.
Here’s what’s known about Cindy Sherman’s gear:
Early Career (1970s-80s)
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35mm film cameras, such as the Nikon FM/FE series and similar SLRs.
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| Nikon FM |
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Lenses: Standard prime lenses (50mm) and sometimes wider lenses depending on the series.
Later Career (1990s-2000s)
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Medium format cameras, including Mamiya RZ67 for large prints and higher image quality.
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| Mamiya RZ67 |
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Occasionally large-format cameras for very high-resolution work.
Digital Era (2000s–present)
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Sherman transitioned to digital photography in the early 2000s.
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She has been known to use Canon digital SLRs (e.g. Canon EOS 5D series).
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| Canon Eos 5D |
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In some interviews and exhibition notes, she mentions the flexibility digital photography gives her for post-production.
Other tools she regularly uses
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Extensive studio lighting, often continuous lights or strobes, depending on the setup.
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Tripod for self-portraits (almost always used).
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Remote triggers for self-portrait shooting.
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Post-processing software: Adobe Photoshop plays a huge role in her recent work, as she manipulates and composites images.