Skip to main content

Danny Lyon

 

Danny Lyon

Danny Lyon, whose career spans the civil rights movement, outlaw biker subculture, and prison reportage, has favored a diverse range of gear across decades—suitable for documentary immersion and cinematic storytelling.

Early Equipment

  • Exa 35 mm SLR
    Bought in Munich during his Europe travels before joining the University of Chicago; his first photographic tool around 1959–1960.

Exa 35mm

  • Leica M-series
    Used early alongside his Exa; small, quiet, ideal for the high-stakes environments of 1960s civil rights protests .

  • Nikon Reflex (early Nikon F)
    Became his “real workhorse” during his Bikeriders years—loaded with Tri‑X and mounted with a 105 mm lens for dynamic street shots.

Danny Lyon and his Nikon F

  • Rolleiflex
    Carried during Bikeriders era, often paired with his Nikon and motorcycle kit.

Large-Format & Field Cameras

  • Calumet view camera
    Purchased in Manhattan post-1967 for architectural and demolition photography—cheap but effective for lower Manhattan documentation.

Film and Motion

  • Bolex 16 mm
    Gifted by Art Shay, used to film early footage in prisons (e.g. Conversations with the Dead).

  • Eclair NPR 16 mm
    Shared initially with Robert Frank, later bought outright; used for his independent filmmaking like Soc. Sci. 127.

  • Nagra sound recorder + lav mic
    Partner Nancy operated this equipment in his documentaries throughout the 1970s.

In Danny’s Words

He described transitioning gear over time: “Using my Tri‑X loaded Nikon F… that early, single‑lens Reflex was such a fabulous camera”. 

And on filmmaking: “I… bought a camera that I shared with Robert Frank. … a very sophisticated camera, a 16 mm Eclair NPR.”

Why This Gear?

  • Versatility & authenticity: small cameras (Leica, Nikon F, Exa) for reportage and immersion

  • Scale & texture: view cameras for architectural and environmental imagery

  • Creative freedom: personal motion picture setups (Bolex, Eclair) to explore narrative beyond static frames

  • DIY ethic: carried own film, gear, worked hands-on in editing, sound recording

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