What Camera Gear do they use?

  Pau Buscató is a Barcelona-born street photographer now based in Oslo, Norway. Widely admired for his surreal, humorous, and often poetic compositions, Buscató has carved out a unique place in contemporary street photography by capturing fleeting moments that seem almost too perfect to be real — visual coincidences, playful alignments, and subtle absurdities that reveal themselves only to the most attentive eye. But what's most remarkable is not just what he captures — it’s how he captures it: with minimalist tools and a deep reliance on instinct, patience, and awareness. Philosophy First: Why Less Is More Pau Buscató believes in reducing distractions and allowing vision to take the lead. He emphasizes that street photography is not about chasing gear, trends, or presets—it’s about being fully present , visually alert , and open to the surprises of everyday life. “I try to go out every day to shoot. I want to keep my eye trained and sharp. Most of the time I come back with n...

Here’s a clear summary of the camera gear Jeff Mermelstein has used throughout his career: Film Era – Leica M-P & 35 mm Summilux Leica M‑P (rangefinder) paired with a 35 mm f/1.4 Summilux lens Loaded early work with Fujicolor Superia for vibrant color street shots . Mermelstein has said: “I have a long history with Leica beginning with my first M6 when I was in my twenties,” and continued using Leica rangefinders well into his film-based practice. Leica MP Digital Transition – iPhone iPhone camera became his exclusive tool in recent years, especially noted in his series capturing strangers’ text messages for #nyc. He describes the iPhone as "revolutionary," citing its power to reinvent street photography and allow spontaneous, unseen moments. Occasional Canon Use Mention has been made that he “has also shot with a Canon,” though details are vague—likely early or supplementary in his career. Approach & Philosophy Color-first : Mermelstein prefe...

  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...

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...

  Matt Stuart, a renowned British street photographer, is known for his minimalist approach to gear, favoring simplicity and discretion to capture candid moments. Here's an overview of the camera equipment he uses: Film Photography Camera : Leica MP Lens : 35mm f/1.4 Leica Summilux Film : Fuji Superia 200 and 400 Stuart prefers the Leica MP for its compactness and quiet operation, making it ideal for unobtrusive street photography. He appreciates the anticipation involved in shooting film, stating, "I like film as I am still in love with the process of waiting to see what you may or may not have got." Leica MP Digital Photography Primary Digital Camera : Leica M10-P with a 35mm f/1.4 Leica Summilux lens Additional Digital Camera : Leica SL For Commercial Work : Canon 5D Mark III Matt Stuart and his Leica Leica M10 While Stuart uses digital cameras for commercial assignments, he maintains a preference for film in his personal street photography pr...