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David Bailey


David Bailey’s camera gear has evolved from modest beginnings through to top-tier film and digital setups. 

Here's an enhanced breakdown:

Early Career & Film Era

  • Rolleiflex TLR (2.8F / 3.5F)
    His first camera came via Singapore during his National Service—a cheap Rolleiflex copy that kickstarted his iconic portrait style. He continued using higher-end versions (Zeiss Planar, Schneider Xenotar) for medium-format studio work.

Rolleiflex 2.8F

  • Pentax Spotmatic S3 (35 mm SLR)
    Switched for portability and reliability, especially favored for street and candid shoots. He admired its durability and Takumar lens lineup—particularly the 15 mm f/3.5.

Pentax Spotmatic S3

  • Nikon & Nikkormat SLRs
    Also used these earlier, learning what he liked and eventually returning to Pentax for quality consistency.

Studio & Magazine Work

  • Large-format cameras (5×4 / 10×8 inch)
    Preferred for high-end studio and editorial projects. Bailey noted each sheet cost ~£50, but valued their detail.

Transition to Digital & Modern Photography

  • Digital Leica
    For street photography, he’s said: “When I’m taking pictures in the street, I’ll use a digital Leica”—valued for its discretion and speed.

Bottom Line

David Bailey’s kit is rooted in practicality and precision:

  • Medium-format TLR for early studio fashion

  • 35 mm SLRs (especially Pentax) for street and flexibility

  • Large-format view cameras for high-stakes print work

  • Digital Leica for modern, mobile city shooting

His philosophy? Know your gear, let connection drive the shoot, and trust the frame in-camera—not in post.

Photography is film… Digital is a computer with a lens on the front.

Books by David Bailey

Eighties : see it on Amazon 


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