What Camera Gear do they use?

  Yutaka Takanashi: The Poet of Tokyo’s Concrete Yutaka Takanashi (1935–2019) was one of Japan’s most influential postwar photographers, known for his poetic yet analytical exploration of Tokyo’s urban landscape. A founding member of the legendary Provoke movement (alongside Daidō Moriyama and Takuma Nakahira), Takanashi captured the tension between modernity and tradition — between the individual and the overwhelming machinery of the city. His work combined intellectual rigor with emotional intensity, making him a central figure in Japanese photographic history. Camera Gear Yutaka Takanashi’s choice of gear reflected his transition from commercial photography to avant-garde personal projects: Nikon F and F2 (35mm film) – His primary cameras during the 1960s and 1970s; rugged, reliable, and suited to the rapid rhythm of street photography. Nikon F Leica M3 and M4 – Occasionally used for quieter, more intimate work. Leica M4 Nikkor 35mm f/2 and 50mm f/1.4 lenses – His...

  Jun Abe: The Quiet Energy of the Streets Jun Abe (b. 1955, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese street photographer celebrated for his candid, unfiltered depictions of everyday life in Japan. Deeply rooted in the streets of Osaka, his work captures fleeting gestures, quiet tensions, and absurd humor — moments that define the pulse of urban life. Abe’s images are understated yet psychologically charged, embodying a distinctly Japanese sense of observation and restraint. Camera Gear Jun Abe has consistently favored simplicity and reliability in his gear — tools that allow him to remain unobtrusive while capturing spontaneous moments: Leica M film cameras (M4, M6) – Compact, quiet, and perfect for street work; Abe’s preferred companions for decades. Leica M4 Leica M6 35mm and 50mm Leica lenses – Classic focal lengths for dynamic yet balanced compositions. Black-and-white 35mm film (Ilford HP5, Kodak Tri-X) – Known for its tonal depth and flexibility under varied lighting condit...

  Hiroshi Sugimoto is a Japanese photographer and conceptual artist known for serene, minimalist black-and-white images that explore time, memory, and perception. Whether he’s photographing the sea horizon, empty movie theaters, or dioramas at natural history museums, Sugimoto’s work is technically immaculate and deeply philosophical. His gear is inseparable from his method — large-format cameras, long exposures, and a nearly obsessive control of the photographic process. Camera Gear & Technical Method Main Camera: Deardorff 8×10 View Camera Sugimoto’s primary camera is a Deardorff 8×10 large format field camera , a wooden-bodied bellows camera originally designed in the 1920s. It’s heavy, slow, and fully manual — but also supremely capable of producing images with exquisite detail and tonal range. Deardorf 8x10 He also sometimes uses an 11×14 large format camera for extremely high-resolution work. I like old cameras. You need to spend time. You can’t just press the shu...

  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 –...

Shin Noguchi primarily shoots street and documentary photography using Leica film cameras and digital Leica gear: Analog film gear Leica M6 and Leica MP for his personal projects—classic mechanical M bodies that offer a tactile, deliberate shooting experience . Leica M6 Leica MP He favors Kodak Portra 400 film for its tonal richness and atmospheric quality, saying film captures an “atmosphere” or mood that's hard to replicate digitally Digital kit Leica M9-P : Shin uses the digital M9-P for assignments, combining M-series handling with film-like aesthetics in a digital workflow. Leica M9-P Other cameras Previously shot with Nikon D700 , appreciating its responsiveness and versatility . Nikon D700 Currently sometimes uses a Fuji X100 —chosen for its compact form, quiet shutter, and low presence in public settings Fuji X100F Why this gear combo works for him: Film gear (M6/MP + Portra) : Lets him slow down, immerse in tonal subtleties, and evoke a sense of atmos...

  Tatsuo Suzuki, a prominent Japanese street photographer, is renowned for his high-contrast black-and-white images that capture the raw energy of Tokyo's streets. His gear choices reflect his dynamic and immersive shooting style. Camera Gear Fujifilm X100 Series : Suzuki primarily uses the Fujifilm X100F , a compact mirrorless camera with a fixed 23mm f/2 lens (equivalent to 35mm in full-frame terms). He finds this setup ideal for his street photography, stating, "I use Fuji X100F. For me, it fits pretty good for my street shooting style." Fujifilm X100F Ricoh GR : Suzuki has also been know to use the Ricoh GR range of cameras. Fujifilm X-E2 : Earlier in his career, Suzuki utilized the Fujifilm X-E2 , another mirrorless camera known for its portability and image quality. This camera was notably used during his black-and-white explorations of Tokyo's urban life. Fujifilm X-E2 Nikon D70 : Suzuki began his photographic journey in 2008 with a Nikon D70 , markin...

  Daido Moriyama, the influential Japanese street photographer, is renowned for his raw, high-contrast black-and-white imagery that captures the gritty essence of urban life. His choice of camera gear has consistently reflected his philosophy of spontaneity, simplicity, and unfiltered expression. Primary Camera Gear Ricoh GR Series (Film and Digital) : Moriyama has long favored the Ricoh GR series, starting with the 35mm film-based GR1s and later transitioning to digital models like the GR Digital and GR III. He appreciates these cameras for their compactness, lightweight design, and fixed 28mm lens, which allow for quick, unobtrusive shooting—essential for his candid street photography. Ricoh GR1 Ricoh GR III Nikon F and FM SLRs : In the earlier stages of his career, Moriyama utilized Nikon F and FM series SLR cameras. These robust, manual-focus cameras enabled him to capture the dynamic street scenes that became a hallmark of his work. Nikon F Nikon FM Nikon Coolpix S91...