Don McCullin

Don McCullin's gear evolved dramatically over his decades-long career—from early film bodies to modern digital systems—shaped by his philosophy of proximity, discipline, and truth.

Early Film Years (late 1950s–1960s)

Rolleicord twin-lens reflex (120 film)
McCullin’s first camera, bought during his National Service in Nairobi.

Rolleicord

Nikon F 35mm SLR
Became his signature camera during war coverage. Famously, one even stopped a sniper’s bullet in Cambodia.

Nikon F

He used two Nikon Fs with 28 mm and 35 mm lenses and a lightweight kit of 30 rolls of Tri-X plus backup light meters—prioritizing speed and connection over gear bulk.

Transition: Olympus SLRs & Medium Format

Olympus OM-1 & OM-2
Adopted in the 1970s for their compact form and reliability.

Olympus OM2
see it on Amazon

Rolleiflex medium format, Mamiya Universal Press
Used later for portraits and landscapes, offering versatility and larger formats.

Digital Era (since ~2012)

Canon EOS 5D Mark III & IV
Shoot primarily with 35 mm Canon DSLRs and lenses such as 35 mm f/1.4L II and 135 mm f/2L—often using two bodies and two lenses for field flexibility. McCullin praised the sharpness but warns digital may be “too perfect”.

Canon Eos 5D Mark III
see it on Amazon

Hybrid Use: Film Continues

For landscape and still-life work, McCullin still occasionally uses medium format (Mamiya Super 23) and large format Linhof Technika, complemented by his ongoing darkroom practice.

His Gear Philosophy

McCullin famously said: “I have more of a relationship with the subject than I do with my camera equipment… it’s like a tin of shoe polish and a brush.”.

His setup always reflects his guiding principles: proximity (wide lenses, handheld), lightness (minimal gear), and integrity (honest, disciplined shooting). Whether film or digital, the gear serves the purpose—not the other way around.

Books by Don McCullin

Don McCullin : see it on Amazon

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...

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 ...

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...

What Camera Gear do they use?

Search This Blog