Skip to main content

Yukio Uchida

 

Yukio Uchida is a celebrated Japanese photographer often affiliated with Fujifilm’s X-Photographers, and his gear reflects his passion for capturing emotional, monochrome street and landscape scenes. Here's an in-depth look:

Core Camera Systems

Fujifilm X-Pro3

  • Uchida's primary camera listed on Fujifilm’s official X‑Photographer page.

  • Renowned for its discreet rangefinder-style viewfinder and rugged yet compact build—perfect for expressive street photography.

Fujifilm X-Pro3
see it on Amazon

Fujifilm X100 Series

  • He began shooting with the original X100 in 2011, praising it for image quality and intuitive design.

Fujifilm X100VI
see it on Amazon

  • He expressed a particular attachment to the X-Pro1 paired with the XF56mm lens, valuing the camera-lens "closeness" and creative control.

Fujifilm X-Pro1
see it on Amazon

Preferred Lenses

On the X-Pro3 (and earlier X-Pro1), Uchida favors prime lenses known for their character and sharpness:

  • XF14mm f/2.8 – Ultra-wide, ideal for capturing dramatic street and landscape scenes.

  • XF35mm f/1.4 – Classic standard focal length prized for its pleasing rendering.

  • Additionally, he’s known for working with fast primes like XF50mm f/1.0 R WR, leveraging shallow depth and strong “punctum” in his images.

Additional Compact Tools

  • Ricoh GR III / IIIx pocket camera: Used for spontaneous, lightweight shooting—especially on bike trips or everyday outings.

  • He values the GR for its portability and the ability to develop a personal “Negative-Film” style in JPEGs, emphasizing mood and memory.

Ricoh GRIII HDF
see it on Amazon

Gear Philosophy

  • Uchida was an early collaborator in Fujifilm's X-series development, shaping design through feedback and focus on usability and expressive control.

  • He prioritizes joy of ownership, tactile shooting experience, and emotional resonance over technical specs like megapixels or ISO performance.

  • Prefers JPEG capture with in-camera “Negative-Film” processing to preserve the immediacy and feelings of the moment.

  • He has also been see showcasing Fujifilm's new GFX100RF. See video here.

Ricoh GFX100RF

Want to Try His Style?

  • Modern kit suggestion: X-Pro3 with XF23mm f/2 and XF50mm f/1.0—great balance of portability and artistic control.

  • Pocket companion: Ricoh GR III or GR IIIx—ideal for light travel and spontaneous shooting.

  • JPEG-first mindset: Explore in-camera film simulations like “Negative” or Acros for mood and character.

Books by Yukio Uchida

Itsumo Camera Ga : see it on Amazon



Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

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...
Read more

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 ...
Read more

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...
Read more