Fred Herzog, a pioneer of color street photography in mid-20th‑century Vancouver, worked with a surprisingly modest yet powerful analog camera setup rooted in portability, intuition, and technical precision.
Cameras he used
Kodak Retina I
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His very first camera, inherited from his uncle—a folding plate format he later traded for a more manageable model.
Leica Rangefinders (M3, later M2/M4)
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In 1957 he bought a Leica M3, and later used the M2 and M4 models for street photography .
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Valued for discreteness, sharp lenses, and quick focusing—ideal for street scenes.
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| Leica M4 |
Nikon F SLR
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Added a Nikon F to his kit later, used for flexibility and different lens choices.
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| Nikon F |
Yashica 635 TLR
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Photographed using a Yashica 635 twin-lens reflex later in life—an example captured by a fan at CBC Vancouver.
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| Yashica 635 |
Canon WP-1
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Also experimented with the rugged Canon WP‑1 waterproof 35 mm camera.
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| Canon WP-1 |
Film & Lenses
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Kodachrome color slide film was his signature—rich, fine-grained, archival color long before color photography gained mainstream recognition.
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He favored mid-range lenses—often a single focal length (e.g., his quote: “one camera and one lens”—24 mm, 55 mm, or 85 mm) to simplify vision and stay attuned to his emotional perspective.
Shooting Philosophy & Technique
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Shot handheld—even at night—with slow shutter speeds, trusting his stability and visual instinct rather than embracing technical compromise .
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Emphasized speed and instinct:
I have to work fast and on impulse… when there’s action I start shooting right away.
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Simplified his kit:
Fred would say I’m just going to look at everything through a 55 mm lens today… and that taught me something as well
Why It Worked
Herzog’s gear:
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Was compact and discreet, perfect for everyday street work.
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Allowed fast, confident shooting—no fuss over kit.
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Supported his eye for color, form, and narrative—preserving the texture of Vancouver life in lush Kodachrome.
Books by Fred Herzog
