What Camera Gear do they use?

  Ihei Kimura: The Leica Poet Who Defined Modern Japanese Photography Introduction Ihei Kimura (木村伊兵衛, 1901–1974) was one of Japan’s most revered photographers — a visual storyteller who shaped the nation’s photographic identity before and after World War II. Known for his candid portraits and street photography, Kimura brought a distinctly humanist sensibility to his work, turning everyday life into elegant visual poetry. As a founding member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society and a mentor to generations of image-makers, Kimura was instrumental in popularizing 35mm photography in Japan at a time when large-format cameras dominated. His preferred tool — the Leica rangefinder — allowed him to work quickly, quietly, and with an intimacy that transformed how Japan saw itself. Camera Gear Kimura’s philosophy was simple: the smaller and quieter the camera, the closer one could get to the truth. He was among the first Japanese photographers to embrace Leica rangef...

  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: The Intense Street Visionary of Modern Tokyo Introduction Tatsuo Suzuki, born in Tokyo in 1965, is one of Japan’s most dynamic contemporary street photographers. Known for his gritty black-and-white images and confrontational proximity, Suzuki captures the psychological tension and electric pace of Tokyo’s streets. His photographs reflect a city in motion — dense crowds, fleeting expressions, heavy contrasts, and moments of raw human presence. Suzuki’s style is instinctive and emotional, revealing the pulse of urban life rather than simply documenting its surface. Over the last decade, he has become a defining figure in the new wave of Japanese street photography, echoing but never imitating the legacy of Daido Moriyama and the Provoke movement. Camera Gear Used by Tatsuo Suzuki Suzuki’s choice of equipment is built around speed, portability, and responsiveness — essential qualities for his close-range street work. Primary Cameras Fujifilm X100 Series (X100...

  Daido Moriyama: The Radical Eye Who Redefined Japanese Street Photography Introduction Daido Moriyama, born in 1938 in Osaka, is one of the most influential photographers of the modern era. Known for his raw, gritty, and emotionally charged style, Moriyama transformed how the world understands street photography. His images are not polished or technically perfect — they’re visceral. They pulse with the rhythm of crowded alleyways, neon signs, cigarette smoke, and the restless energy of postwar Japan. Moriyama came to prominence in the late 1960s through the groundbreaking Provoke movement, which challenged traditional photographic standards and embraced subjectivity, imperfection, and chaos. His radical approach — grainy images, tilted horizons, blurred motion — evolved into what many now view as the visual language of contemporary street photography. Above all, Moriyama believes photography is less about technique and more about instinct. His cameras are tools for capturi...