What Camera Gear do they use?

  Chris Steele-Perkins: Humanity in Everyday Britain Chris Steele-Perkins (b. 1947, Burma/UK) is a British photographer and long-time member of Magnum Photos, known for his powerful documentation of British life, identity, and social change. From his seminal work The Teds — chronicling British youth culture in the 1970s — to his later projects across Africa and Japan, Steele-Perkins’s images combine compassion, structure, and a sharp sense of storytelling. Camera Gear Chris Steele-Perkins has used a range of cameras throughout his career — from classic 35mm film systems to digital full-frame setups — always prioritizing realism, immediacy, and intimacy. Film Era Leica M4  –  He stated he liked his Leica camera because it was "tough, simple and small" and mentioned using a Leica M4 for his work from The Teds project to his work in Afghanistan and Japan. Leica M4 Canon F-1 was another camera he was known for using Canon F-1 Kodak Tri-X 400 Film – A constant c...

  Letizia Battaglia: Bearing Witness Through the Lens Letizia Battaglia (1935–2022, Italy) was one of the most courageous and influential photojournalists of the 20th century. Based in Palermo, she dedicated her life to documenting the brutal reality of Mafia violence, poverty, and the resilience of Sicilian life. Her black-and-white images are raw, poetic, and profoundly human — revealing both the horror and dignity of her city. Camera Gear Letizia Battaglia’s equipment was practical and direct — tools for truth rather than glamour. Her gear evolved over time but always reflected her commitment to immediacy and authenticity. Film Era Leica M2 & M4 – Her primary cameras during the 1970s–1990s, chosen for their reliability and discretion on the streets of Palermo. Leica M2 Leica M4 Nikon F2 & FM2 – Used for assignments requiring faster operation and interchangeable lenses. Nikon FM2 Nikon F2 Pentax K1000 - one of the cameras she was known for using Pentax K1000 Ko...

  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...

  Fred Herzog, a pioneer of color street photography in mid-20th‑century Vancouver, worked with a surprisingly modest yet powerful analog camera setup rooted in portability, intuition, and technical precision. Cameras he used Kodak Retina I His very first camera , inherited from his uncle—a folding plate format he later traded for a more manageable model . Leica Rangefinders (M3, later M2/M4) In 1957 he bought a Leica M3 , and later used the M2 and M4 models for street photography . Valued for discreteness, sharp lenses, and quick focusing—ideal for street scenes. Leica M4 Nikon F SLR Added a Nikon F to his kit later, used for flexibility and different lens choices . Nikon F Yashica 635 TLR Photographed using a Yashica 635 twin-lens reflex later in life—an example captured by a fan at CBC Vancouver . Yashica 635 Canon WP-1 Also experimented with the rugged Canon WP‑1 waterproof 35 mm camera. Canon WP-1 Film & Lenses Kodachrome color slide ...

Larry Clark is best known for his gritty, handheld film photography, and the gear he favored reflects that intimate, documentary style. Film Cameras Rolleiflex TLR : He frequently carried a twin-lens Rolleiflex, often with a strobe in his car—his go‑to in street environments. Rolleiflex TLR Leica (likely M4) : Known to have used a Leica M4 paired with a 35mm lens for projects like Tulsa and Teenage Lust—combining portrait-like composition with decisive framing. Leica M4 Clark’s early work (1960s–70s) was shot on 35 mm black-and-white film, possibly Kodak Tri‑X or Plus‑X, underexposing highlights to preserve shadows and achieve his signature high-contrast aesthetic. Analog, Always on Hand He was notorious for " always having a camera ": the Rolleiflex and flash were permanent fixtures in his car—his friends expected him to document whatever unfolded. Cinematic Shift By the '90s, Clark evolved into filmmaking. On movies such as Kids , Wassup Rockers , and others...

  Ernst Haas, a pioneer of color photography and a key figure in photojournalism, used a range of camera gear throughout his career.  His equipment evolved over time, but here are the main tools he was known to use: Early Career (Black and White Work): Leica Rangefinder Cameras : In the 1940s and 1950s, Haas primarily used Leica cameras , notably the Leica III series and later the Leica M3 , with screw-mount or M-mount lenses. These cameras were small, quiet, and ideal for his early black-and-white reportage. Common lenses included the 50mm Summicron and 35mm wide-angles. Leica M3 Color Photography Era (1950s onward): Leica M3 and M4 : He continued using Leica rangefinders as he transitioned to color photography. His Leica M3 was especially important in his early color work for Life magazine and later personal projects. Leica M4 SLRs – Nikon and Canon (Later Years) : By the 1960s and 70s, Haas also used SLRs (especially for zoom and telephoto flexib...

  Abbas Attar, known professionally as Abbas, was a renowned Iranian photojournalist celebrated for his profound documentation of political and religious conflicts across the globe.   Throughout his extensive career, Abbas employed a variety of camera gear that complemented his commitment to capturing the essence of human experiences. Camera Equipment Used by Abbas Leica M3 and M4 Rangefinders In the earlier stages of his career, Abbas frequently utilized Leica M3 and M4 rangefinder cameras. These cameras were esteemed for their durability and the exceptional quality of Leica lenses. Their compact size and quiet shutter mechanisms made them ideal for the spontaneous and unobtrusive shooting style that Abbas favored in high-stress environments. Leica M3 Leica M4 Nikon FM2 Abbas also employed the Nikon FM2, a fully mechanical 35mm SLR known for its robustness and reliability. Its all-metal construction and dependable performance rendered it suitable for the demanding conditio...

  Lee Friedlander , one of the great masters of American photography, is known for his complex compositions, use of reflections and shadows, and pioneering work in the genre of social landscape photography.  His camera gear has remained relatively consistent throughout his long career, and his choices have shaped the distinct visual style for which he is celebrated. Main Camera Gear Used by Lee Friedlander Leica M Series (35mm Film) In his early career, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s, Friedlander used a Leica M camera (such as the Leica M4 ) with a 35mm lens . Leica M4 This setup allowed for speed, discretion, and deep depth of field — ideal for his layered and spontaneous street photographs. Super-Wide-Angle Lenses Friedlander often used wide and super-wide lenses , including 21mm and 28mm lenses, which contributed to the crowded, energetic feel of his compositions. His perspective often placed his own shadow or reflection into the frame — a signatur...

  Garry Winogrand, one of the most influential American street photographers of the 20th century, is known for his energetic, spontaneous style that captured the chaos and beauty of everyday life.  His gear choices reflected his fast-paced, instinctive shooting approach. Primary Camera Gear Leica M4 Winogrand used the Leica M4 extensively during his early career. Its compact size, quiet shutter, and high-quality lenses made it ideal for unobtrusive street photography. Leica M4 - Garry Winogrand 28mm Lens He favored a 28mm wide-angle lens , which allowed him to get close to his subjects while still including a broad view of the scene — contributing to the dynamic, often off-kilter compositions he’s known for. Tri-X 400 Film (Kodak) Winogrand almost exclusively shot with Kodak Tri-X 400 black-and-white film. It offered high-speed flexibility and a gritty aesthetic well-suited to his fast, intuitive shooting. Kodak Tri-X 400 film Later Years: Transition to SLRs Le...

  William Eggleston, a seminal figure in color photography, is renowned for his vivid portrayals of everyday life. His choice of camera gear has been integral to his distinctive aesthetic, characterized by rich colors and unconventional compositions. Primary Cameras Leica M Series : Eggleston extensively used Leica M rangefinder cameras, including models like the M3, M4, M5, and M6. These cameras, known for their precision and compactness, complemented his spontaneous shooting style. William Eggleston's Leica collection Leica M5 Leica M6 Canon Rangefinders : His first camera was a Canon 35mm rangefinder, acquired during his college years. This initial foray into photography laid the foundation for his future explorations.   Contax G2 : Eggleston also employed the Contax G2, a 35mm autofocus rangefinder, for its sharp optics and portability.   Contax G2 Medium Format Cameras : For larger negatives and enhanced detail, he utilized medium format cameras such ...