Edward Weston, one of the most influential American photographers of the 20th century, is best known for his large-format black-and-white work. Here’s a breakdown of the camera gear he used throughout his career:
Primary Camera Gear
8×10 View Camera (Large Format)
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Camera Type: 8×10 inch view camera
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Brands: Several over time, including Century Universal and Eastman View Camera No. 2-D
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Purpose: Used for the vast majority of his most iconic images—nudes, still lifes, landscapes, and vegetables (e.g., his famous pepper series).
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| Eastman View No. 2 |
Lenses
Weston used large-format lenses compatible with his 8×10 camera:
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Cooke Convertible Lens (12", 13.5", and 21")
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Goerz Dagor lens (widely respected at the time for sharpness and contrast)
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Rapid Rectilinear lenses earlier in his career
He focused heavily on lens quality and sharpness, choosing lenses that would give him the greatest tonal control and detail in contact prints.
Film and Process
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Film: 8×10 black-and-white sheet film (e.g., Kodak Panatomic-X later on)
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Technique: Almost always made contact prints—he did not enlarge his negatives.
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Printing method: Platinum and silver gelatin prints
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Darkroom: Meticulously developed his film and made prints himself, emphasizing tonal range and clarity.
Other Notables
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Occasionally used Graflex cameras for portability in the field (smaller format, mostly for snapshots and some portraits).
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He kept a handwritten log (the Daybooks) where he often noted his equipment, exposures, and reflections on process and subjects.
Why It Mattered
Weston’s choice of the 8×10 camera:
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Allowed maximum detail and rich tonal gradation
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Forced him to compose carefully—everything was done with deliberation
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Encouraged intimacy and abstraction (his pepper photos feel monumental because of the detail and tone).
Books featuring Edward Weston
