What Camera Gear do they use?

  Vivian Maier – The Mysterious Maestro of Street Imagery Vivian Dorothy Maier (1926–2009) was an American photographer whose astounding body of street photography remained undiscovered during her lifetime.  Working quietly as a nanny in Chicago, she captured over 100,000 images—mostly in black and white—of city life, and layered them with humanity, wit, and emotional resonance.  Her work only emerged after being discovered in a storage auction in 2007, compelling the world to recognize her visual genius posthumously. Camera Gear Vivian Maier favored tools that allowed candid observation and compositional focus: Rolleiflex Twin-Lens Reflex (TLR) : Her principal tool. Models included the 3.5T, 3.5F, 2.8C, and Automat versions—used for their waist-level viewfinder, medium-format quality, and discrete operation. Rolleiflex TLR Kodak Brownie Box Camera : Her first camera, simple and basic—used during her early years in France. Vivian Maier's Kodak Brownie 35 mm Ran...

  Werner Bischof’s camera equipment reflected his versatility and innovative spirit—ranging from large-format experimental systems to agile reportage tools: Devin Tri‑Color Camera (Large Format, Glass‑Plate) Devin Tri‑Color : A bulky, one-shot, three-glass-plate camera capturing red, green, and blue channels simultaneously. Devin Tri-Color Purchased for him by Swiss publishers Conzett & Huber , it enabled early color experiments from around 1939 onward. Used primarily in studio or static outdoor setups (with tripod due to long exposures), it produced vibrant, painterly color images, later digitally recombined for prints. Rolleiflex Medium‑Format TLR (120 film, 6×6 cm) Rolleiflex Automat (2¼×2¼) : Twin-lens reflex used extensively throughout his career for black-and-white and early color 120 film. Rolleiflex twin lens Provided compositional control and high tonal quality—ideal for his portraits and humanistic reportage across Europe and Asia. Werner Bischof and hi...

  Robert Frank , the legendary photographer behind The Americans , is known for his raw, poetic, and deeply humanistic approach to photography.  His choice of camera gear played a crucial role in enabling the candid, observational style that defined his work. Primary Camera Gear Used by Robert Frank Leica III Series (35mm Rangefinder) During the creation of The Americans in the mid-1950s, Robert Frank used a Leica IIIc or IIIf rangefinder camera with 35mm film . Leica IIIc Leica IIIf He paired it with a 50mm lens , most likely a Leitz Summitar or Summicron . This setup was compact, quiet, and ideal for discreet shooting in public spaces — perfect for his spontaneous, observational work. Later Use of SLRs and Other Cameras After The Americans , Frank gradually shifted from still photography to filmmaking. During this time, he experimented with other formats. He later used Nikon SLRs and other small cameras occasionally, especially for personal and documentary...