Dorothea Lange, best known for her iconic work during the Great Depression—especially Migrant Mother—used a range of medium and large format cameras throughout her career. Her gear choices reflected her commitment to image quality and the storytelling demands of documentary photography.
Cameras Dorothea Lange Used
1. Graflex Super D
-
Type: Large format SLR (4x5 inches)
-
Use: She used this for many of her best-known portraits, including Migrant Mother.
-
Why: It allowed for large negatives, offering exceptional detail and tonal range—ideal for the kind of deeply human, textured work she did.
 |
| Graflex Super D |
2. Graflex Series D
-
Earlier version of the Super D. These cameras had a mirror and focusing screen similar to an SLR, which helped with composition even in the field.
 |
| Graflex Series D |
3. Leica Rangefinder (later years)
-
She used a Leica 35mm rangefinder during some of her work abroad, especially post-WWII when she documented international stories.
-
Why: Smaller and more portable than large-format cameras—useful for more spontaneous or travel-heavy work.
4. Rolleiflex (possibly)
-
There is some indication she used a Rolleiflex medium format TLR later in her career.
-
Why: Square format, relatively compact, excellent optics.
Lenses
Lange mostly used standard and slightly wide lenses appropriate for portraiture and environmental photography. With large format cameras, lenses would typically be fixed or swapped manually (often focal lengths around 127mm to 150mm for 4x5 cameras, roughly equivalent to 35–50mm in 35mm terms).
Film & Process
-
Black and white film—mostly Kodak.
-
Large format negatives offered great dynamic range and detail, allowing her to produce rich prints.
-
She often worked slowly and deliberately, interacting deeply with her subjects before photographing them.
Philosophy of Gear
Lange's approach was highly personal. She believed in empathy and connection, and her camera was a tool for revealing dignity in suffering. Her gear was chosen not for speed but for depth, detail, and the trust-building process it enabled.