What Camera Gear do they use?

  Ralph Gibson: Precision, Light, and the Leica Legacy Ralph Gibson, born in 1939 in Los Angeles, is one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary photography. Known for his striking use of shadow, geometry, and surreal abstraction, Gibson has built an entire career around the discipline of seeing — and the precision of his beloved Leica cameras. Camera Gear Leica M rangefinders – primarily the Leica M6 and later the Leica M9 , M Monochrom , and Leica Q2 Monochrom . Leica M6 Leica M9 Leica M11 Monochrom Leica Q2 Lenses: predominantly 50 mm Summicron and 35 mm Summilux lenses. Film: for decades, Gibson shot exclusively on Kodak Tri-X 400 black-and-white film, which defined his signature tonal style. Digital transition: In recent years, he has embraced digital Leicas while maintaining the same minimalist discipline — one camera, one lens, one idea. Technique and Vision Ralph Gibson’s photographs are about perception rather than documentation. He composes wi...

  Tyler Mitchell: Fresh Eyes on Portrait & Fashion Photography Tyler Mitchell (born 1995) is an American photographer and filmmaker known for his vivid, dreamlike imagery that celebrates youth, identity, and Black culture. In 2018, he made history as the first Black photographer to shoot the cover of Vogue in its 125-year history, featuring Beyoncé. His work blends fine-art, editorial, and documentary influences, offering a poetic yet socially engaged vision of contemporary life. Camera Gear Began shooting as a teenager with a Canon DSLR , which he used to film skateboarding and travel videos before turning to still photography. Frequently photographs with medium-format film cameras such as the Mamiya RZ67 and Mamiya 7 II for portrait and fashion projects. Mamiya RZ 67 Mamiya 7 II Has been seen using Leica M6 film rangefinder cameras in editorial and gallery work. Leica M6 Often works with Kodak Portra and Ektar color film stocks for their luminous tones and...

  Christopher Anderson: Emotion in Color and Intimacy Christopher Anderson (b. 1970, Canada/USA) is a Magnum photographer renowned for his deeply emotional, cinematic approach to both documentary and portrait photography. Whether capturing the chaos of war or the quiet tenderness of family life, Anderson’s work is defined by its intimacy, rich color palette, and human connection. His transition from photojournalism to personal, introspective projects marks one of the most compelling evolutions in modern photography. Camera Gear Christopher Anderson’s gear reflects his evolving vision — from fast, rugged reportage tools to compact, mirrorless cameras that allow for spontaneity and emotional closeness. Film & Early Digital Era Leica M6 & M7 – His main cameras during his early career, notably for Capitolio and Nonfiction . Leica M6 Kodak Tri-X & Kodak Portra 400 – Film stocks that balanced contrast and warmth, key to his visual tone. Canon EOS 5D Series – U...

  Martin Bogren: Silence, Grain, and the Beauty of Imperfection Martin Bogren (b. 1967, Sweden) is a contemporary photographer celebrated for his atmospheric black-and-white imagery that blurs the line between documentary and poetry. His photographs, often intimate and deeply personal, explore themes of belonging, solitude, and the quiet rhythms of rural and urban life. Bogren’s work is meditative and tactile — more about feeling than description — earning him recognition as one of the most distinctive voices in European photography today. Camera Gear Martin Bogren is known for his minimalist approach to gear, favoring analog cameras and film for their texture, unpredictability, and organic depth: Leica M6 – His main camera for much of his career, chosen for its compactness, precision, and reliability in all conditions. Leica M6 Leica M7 – Occasionally used for projects requiring slightly more control or metering flexibility. Leica M7 35mm and 50mm Leica Summicron lenses ...

  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...

  Constantine Manos: The Vibrant Eye of America Constantine Manos (b. 1934) is a Greek-American photographer whose work blends documentary precision with a painterly eye for light and color. A longtime member of Magnum Photos, Manos has spent decades chronicling American life, from the South in the 1960s to the vivid street scenes of contemporary cities. His images capture both the extraordinary and the ordinary, finding poetry in everyday gestures and fleeting moments. Camera Gear Manos’s choice of cameras has evolved over time, but always with an emphasis on tools that allow him to work quickly and remain immersed in the street. Leica M Rangefinders – A cornerstone of his practice, particularly the Leica M6 , known for its reliability and compact form. Leica M6 Leica Lenses – Typically 28mm and 35mm focal lengths, perfect for close engagement with his subjects. Kodachrome Film – Central to his richly colored work in American Color , offering unmatched tonal depth. ...

  Philip-Lorca diCorcia – Blurring Reality and Fiction Philip-Lorca diCorcia (b. 1951) is an American photographer celebrated for his staged yet lifelike imagery that sits between documentary and constructed photography. His pictures often resemble film stills, blending the mundane with the theatrical. By carefully controlling light, setting, and sometimes even his subjects, diCorcia challenges viewers to question where reality ends and fiction begins. His work has been shown in major museums worldwide and remains influential in both fine art and editorial contexts. Camera Gear DiCorcia adapts his gear to suit his carefully crafted photographic vision, favoring equipment that provides sharpness, control, and cinematic presence: Mamiya RZ67 – used extensively in his staged portraits and constructed scenes for its medium format detail. Mamiya RZ67 Canon EOS 5D series – for flexibility in editorial and commercial projects. Canon Eos 5D see it on Amazon Leica M6 – occasio...

Hiroshi Tabata: A Quiet Eye on Movement, Light & Everyday Humanity Born in Japan and now based in Brighton, UK, Hiroshi Tabata is celebrated for his contemplative black‑and‑white street photography. His visual sensibility is rooted in simplicity, observation, and the quiet poetry of human movement. Vision & Philosophy Tabata returned to photography around 2015 after a hiatus, rekindling his passion through candid street work—first in London, now in Brighton. His interest lies in “people on the move”—the fleeting gestures, crowds, and delicate rhythms of daily life. He creates what he calls “photography of presence”: moments captured at particular times and places, now part of his personal visual diary. Camera Gear & Workflow Though few photographers openly disclose all their gear, Tabata’s setup reflects his minimalist, mindful approach. Leica Film Rangefinder (M-series) Tabata began shooting around 2010 with a Leica M6 , drawn to its quiet shutter and reliabil...

Eric Mencher is known for using a very streamlined, pocket-sized setup—he’s left behind professional DSLRs to shoot almost exclusively with his iPhone , embracing mobility, spontaneity, and simplicity. Primary Gear: iPhone + Apps iPhone 12 Pro Max is his current main camera. He uses the native camera app, sometimes Hipstamatic, but primarily sticks with Apple's built-in interface for speed and control . iPhone 12 Pro Max see it on Amazon He refers to the iPhone as “the Leica of the poor,” comparing its intuitive handling and portability to his emotional connection with his old Leica M6 and Tri‑X setup. He sold all his cameras. Leica M6 Post-Processing: iPhone + Snapseed He edits primarily with Snapseed , calling it “fun and tactile,” akin to darkroom work, letting him apply mood, contrast, and tonality on the go. Philosophy & Practice Mencher used to shoot with professional gear (Leica M6, Tri‑X film) during his photojournalism era. In 2012, he fully transitio...

  Bruce Gilden is famous for his confrontational street photography style—bringing a flash right into people’s faces with close-range, candid shots. Here's what he uses: Primary Camera: Leica M6 (classic rangefinder) For decades, Gilden has relied on the Leica M6 , sometimes a black-painted Leica MP for discretion . Leica M6 He shoots with a wide-angle lens —commonly a 28 mm or a 21 mm lens—so he can get extremely close to his subjects. Flash Setup: Handheld, cable or off-camera flash He carries a powerful Vivitar 285 (or 283) bare-bulb flash attached via a PC-sync cable —often raised above his camera to light faces from a high angle . Some have spotted him using modern equivalents like Speedlights (e.g., Nikon SB‑900), but the Vivitar remains iconic. Technique: crouches, bursts a flash at f/8–f/16 , around ¹⁄₁₈₀ s , ensuring sharp, high‑contrast portraits in daylight. Alternative Kits & Evolution More recently, Gilden embraced the Leica S (medium-format...

  Rammy Narula uses a beautifully diverse and film-centric camera kit, with a strong love for both medium/large format analog and Fujifilm digital systems: Analog / Film Cameras Voigtländer Bessa GSW 670 III – a medium-format rangefinder shooting 6×7 (≈28 mm equivalent); his go‑to for travel and street. Voigtländer Bessa III Fuji GA 645 – another 6×4.5 medium-format with a fixed wide-angle lens. Rolleiflex 3.5 F – classic 6×6 twin-lens Rollei prized for its square frames. Rolleiflex 3.5 F Hasselblad 501C – medium-format SLR with interchangeable lenses (40–100 mm range). Hasselblad 501c Mamiya 645 1000s – manual-focus medium-format, replaced earlier autofocus version. Mamiya 645 1000s Tachihara & Toyo 8×10 field cameras – large-format wood and metal bodies with long lenses (210 mm, 360 mm, 480 mm). Tachihara 8x10 field camera He also keeps some 35 mm film gear: Nikon F100 with 28 mm f/2.8 lens Nikon F100 Leica M6 with 28 mm lens Nikon 35AF-3...