Suresh Naganathan, a renowned street photographer based in Mumbai, keeps his gear refreshingly minimal to stay focused on capturing candid moments:
Primary Camera & Lens
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Fujifilm X100 series (initially the X100S, later replacing it with the X100F when the first broke down)
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He’s used this fixed-lens compact camera decked with a 23 mm f/2 equivalent (~35 mm full-frame perspective).
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“Having a fixed lens and a single camera makes the technical part automatic. I only need to focus on the composition and the moment.”
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| fujifilm X100S |
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| Fujifilm X100F |
Why He Chooses This Setup
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Simplicity & stealth: A single camera/lens reduces distractions and lets him operate quickly on the streets.
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Compositional focus: Fixed focal length improves visual consistency and hones his instinct for framing.
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Portability: Small and discreet, ideal for candid street conditions.
Other Tools & Technique
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Minimal additional gear—typically just the camera and maybe a light bag; he promotes spontaneity over equipment.
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Flash experiments: Occasionally incorporates flash or diptychs, notably during his home-based “Pandemonium” lockdown project.
TL;DR
Suresh Naganathan favors a simple, reliable set-up:
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Fujifilm X100 series (X100S → X100F)
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Fixed 23 mm f/2 lens (~35 mm FF), no kit changes during shooting
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Optional flash/tech tweaks depending on creative intent
This enables him to stay focused on the moment—not fiddling with gear.