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S Paul

 

S Paul—born Sharampal “S” Paul—was a legendary Indian photojournalist, and his gear reflected both the depth and breadth of his passion:

Early & Medium Format Gear

  • Zeiss Ikon 6×6 medium-format (e.g., Nettar): his first professional camera, used during his early development in Shimla in the 1950s.

Zeiss Ikon Nettar

  • First paying camera: Rolleiflex: a pivotal medium-format twin-lens reflex that helped launch his career.

Renowned “Gear Collector”

  • Owned over 100 cameras, spanning multiple brands and formats, always eager to explore new tools.

Later Gear (Visual Evidence & Interviews):

  • Sony Alpha 7 / A7 series

    • He was often photographed with it in his hands during photo walks and interviews.

    • Lightweight and mirrorless, the Sony A7 likely appealed to him because of:

      • Full-frame sensor with high dynamic range

      • Compact body (compared to DSLRs)

      • Compatibility with classic lenses via adapters — important for someone with a vast camera collection.

S Paul and Sony A7 Mark II

Sony A7 Mark II
see it on Amazon

  • Nikon D800

    • Also mentioned as a favorite in several tributes, notably for its 36 MP resolution, which suited his preference for high detail and print-worthy images.

Nikon D800

Context & Legacy

  • His toolkit evolved with his career—shifting from medium format to a wide variety of cameras, finally settling on high-resolution digital.

  • Despite this variety, he was known less for brand loyalty than for a relentless curiosity and commitment to quality in capturing India’s life and people.



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