What Camera Gear do they use?

  Jonas Bendiksen: The Storyteller of the Ordinary Jonas Bendiksen (born September 28, 1977, in Tønsberg, Norway) is a documentary photographer known for his intimate, cinematic portrayal of human life in overlooked corners of the world. A member of Magnum Photos since 2008, Bendiksen’s work often blends journalism and narrative, exploring the edges of society with empathy and curiosity. Camera Gear During his early career with Magnum Photos , Bendiksen primarily used medium-format film cameras , notably the Mamiya 7 and Hasselblad systems, to achieve high image quality and tonal depth. Mamiya 7 He later transitioned to digital cameras , most notably Canon EOS DSLRs , including the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and 5D Mark III , for projects requiring mobility and versatility. Canon Eos 5D Mark III For The Book of Veles (2021), he used Sony mirrorless cameras , likely the Sony A7R series , combining high resolution with discreet operation — essential to the project’s mix of rea...

  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...

  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...

  Antoine d’Agata: Darkness, Desire, and the Camera Antoine d’Agata (b. 1961) is a French photographer and filmmaker whose work explores themes of addiction, sexuality, violence, and marginality. A member of Magnum Photos since 2004, d’Agata’s imagery is raw, visceral, and unapologetically confrontational. His photographs blur the line between document and confession, placing himself and his experiences at the heart of his art. Camera Gear Antoine d’Agata has used a range of gear over the years, often chosen for its ability to work in low light and produce gritty, atmospheric images: Leica M film cameras – For street and intimate documentary work, paired with classic lenses like 35mm and 50mm. Nikon SLRs (film) – Used during his early projects, reliable for reportage in harsh conditions. Digital Leica M (M9, M10) – Continuing his Leica tradition in the digital era. Leica M10 Compact cameras & point-and-shoots – D’Agata sometimes employs smaller cameras for dis...

  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. ...

  W. Eugene Smith: The Relentless Eye of Human Truth Few photographers embody the spirit of uncompromising dedication to truth and storytelling like W. Eugene Smith (1918–1978) . Known for his searing photo-essays in LIFE magazine and his meticulous commitment to documentary work, Smith revolutionized photojournalism. His projects, from Country Doctor to his magnum opus Minamata , captured the raw struggles and resilience of humanity. Smith was not only a master of light and composition but also a photographer who often risked his health and safety to pursue the story behind every frame. Camera Gear W. Eugene Smith’s work spanned decades of rapid technological evolution in photography, but he remained consistent in his use of durable, high-quality gear that could withstand his grueling fieldwork. His equipment was chosen for reliability and image quality above all else. Minolta SRT-101 : Smith used the camera for his famous Minamata work Minolta SRT-101 Leica Rangefinders –...

  Robert Capa – The Fearless Eye of War Robert Capa (1913–1954), born Endre Friedmann in Hungary, was one of the greatest war photographers of the 20th century. Renowned for his motto “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough,” Capa documented five major wars, from the Spanish Civil War to the First Indochina War where he tragically lost his life. His raw, immersive images captured not just the chaos of battle but the human spirit enduring within it. He remains a towering figure in the history of photojournalism and a co-founder of the Magnum Photos agency. Camera Gear Capa was known for using lightweight, reliable gear that allowed him to stay agile in dangerous war zones: Leica III rangefinder cameras – his primary tool during the Spanish Civil War and World War II, loaded with 35mm film for fast shooting. Leica III Contax II rangefinder – another favorite, valued for its Zeiss lenses and rugged build. Nikon rangefinders (later years) – for grea...

  Mary Ellen Mark (1940–2015) was a renowned American photographer celebrated for her compassionate and intimate portraits of people living on society’s margins—from street children in Seattle to circus performers, mental hospital patients, and twin festivals. A Format for Every Story 35 mm Street & Documentary Work Started with analog film: Kodak Brownie at age 9, then Leica M-series rangefinders (e.g., M6 TTL ) and Canon EOS-1N with wide angles (24mm–35mm). Leica M6 She favored 35 mm for fast-moving, immersive street or reportage work—pre-focusing at common distances for rapid response and discretion. Medium Format (6×6 & 6×7) for Portraiture and Formal Essays Employed Hasselblad bodies (often with 60mm lens) and Mamiya 7 with 43/50/65 mm focal lengths. Mamiya 7 Medium format allowed her to build slower, more considered portraits—each frame weighted with presence and visual clarity. Large Format & Polaroid 20×24 ≈ Monumental Projects For amb...

  Here’s a structured profile of Elliott Erwitt —focusing on his photographic vision, iconic work, and the cameras that helped him document life with wit and humanity: Elliott Erwitt: Master of Life’s Subtle Ironies — and the Cameras He Trusted Elliott Erwitt (1928–2023) was a legendary Magnum photographer celebrated for capturing candid moments full of humor, compassion, and uncanny visual wit. His images—whether of dogs, famous personalities, or everyday urban vignettes—convey candid truth through simplicity and timing. Visual Style & Biography Born in Paris to Russian émigrés and raised in Italy and the U.S., Erwitt developed an early sensitivity to cultural nuance and irony. After studying photography and filmmaking, he joined Magnum Photos in 1953 and went on to produce iconic images of children, dogs, world leaders, celebrities, and intrusions of absurdity into daily life . His signature lies in the surprising conjunction: a pair of boots beside a tiny dog, a couple ki...