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Martin Parr

 

Martin Parr, the renowned British documentary photographer, has utilized a diverse array of camera gear throughout his career, adapting his equipment to suit various projects and evolving photographic styles. Here's an overview of the gear he's employed:

Cameras and Lenses

Film Cameras:

  • Leica M3 with 35mm lens: Used during the 1970s for his early black-and-white work.

Leica M3

  • Plaubel Makina 67 with 80mm f/2.8 Nikon lens: Employed in the 1980s, notably for The Last Resort series.

Plaubel Makina 67

  • Mamiya 7: A medium format rangefinder camera favored by Parr for its portability and image quality.

Mamiya 7

Digital Cameras:

  • Canon EOS 5D Series: Transitioned to digital with the Canon 5D in 2007, later upgrading to the 5D Mark IV, which he describes as intuitive and well-suited for documentary work.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

  • Canon EOS 5DS R: Utilized for advertising shoots requiring high-resolution images.

Canon EOS 5Dsr

Lenses:

  • Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM: A versatile zoom lens offering exceptional image quality.

  • Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro: Lightweight and flexible, suitable for close-up work.

  • Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM: A telephoto lens providing image stabilization, ideal for capturing subjects from a distance.

Lighting Equipment

  • Nikon SB-29 Ring Flash: Used with a 60mm macro lens to create shadowless lighting, enhancing color saturation.

  • Canon Speedlite 580EX II with Gary Fong Diffuser: Employed to balance ambient light and achieve a natural look in digital photography.

Film Preferences

  • Fuji 400 Superior: Preferred for medium format color work due to its high color saturation.

  • Agfa Ultra and Fuji 100 ASA: Used with ring flash and macro lenses to achieve vivid colors without digital enhancement.

Printing

  • Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-4000: A large-format printer Parr uses to produce high-quality prints for exhibitions and sales.

Parr's choice of equipment reflects his commitment to capturing the nuances of everyday life with clarity and color. His transition from film to digital has allowed him to maintain his distinctive style while embracing the conveniences of modern technology.


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