What Camera Gear do they use?

  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...

  Here’s what’s well-documented about Paolo Pellegrin’s camera gear —the celebrated Magnum photojournalist and Canon Ambassador: Camera Bodies & Lenses Canon EOS 5D Mark IV — Pellegrin relied on this full-frame DSLR for major conflicts and documentary assignments, often pairing it with the Canon EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM lens at 35 mm or 70 mm depending on the story at hand . Canon Eos 5D Mark IV see it on Amazon Canon EOS R5 — In recent years (e.g. in Ukraine, volcanic expeditions, climate change projects), he transitioned to this mirrorless body for its silent shooting mode and reliability, especially under demanding field conditions. Particularly used with the RF 28–70mm f/2L USM lens—a fast zoom offering sharpness and flexibility where he shot at focal lengths like 40 mm, f/14 at 1/1000 sec, ISO 640. Canon Eos R5 see it on Amazon Shooting Style & Kit Overview Pellegrin often travels with a larger base kit (multiple cameras and lenses) plus a lighter day ba...

  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 ...

  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...

  Don McCullin's gear evolved dramatically over his decades-long career—from early film bodies to modern digital systems—shaped by his philosophy of proximity, discipline, and truth. Early Film Years (late 1950s–1960s) Rolleicord twin-lens reflex (120 film) McCullin’s first camera, bought during his National Service in Nairobi . Rolleicord Nikon F 35mm SLR Became his signature camera during war coverage. Famously, one even stopped a sniper’s bullet in Cambodia . Nikon F He used two Nikon Fs with 28 mm and 35 mm lenses and a lightweight kit of 30 rolls of Tri-X plus backup light meters—prioritizing speed and connection over gear bulk. Transition: Olympus SLRs & Medium Format Olympus OM-1 & OM-2 Adopted in the 1970s for their compact form and reliability . Olympus OM2 see it on Amazon Rolleiflex medium format, Mamiya Universal Press Used later for portraits and landscapes, offering versatility and larger formats. Digital Era (since ~2012) Canon EOS 5D Ma...

  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...

  Trent Parke, the acclaimed Australian photographer and Magnum member, is known for his powerful use of film and carefully chosen gear that complements his poetic, light-chasing aesthetic.  Here's a breakdown of what he uses: Classic Black & White: Leica M6 + 28 mm Elmarit‑M Camera : Leica M6 rangefinder — Parke has built much of his early career around its precision and reliability . Leica M6 Lens : Elmarit‑M 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH — his go-to lens for its wide-angle perspective and expertise in capturing expansive light and shadow. Film : Ilford FP4 — a high-quality black-and-white film, frequently used by Parke for its tonal depth. Canon DSLR + Telephoto Lenses In addition to his Leica and Mamiya film setups, Parke has used: Canon EOS 5D (various versions) – A full-frame DSLR ideal for high-resolution color work. Canon Eos 5D Telephoto lenses , notably: Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS – A fast, sharp lens that allows for compressed perspectives and isolation...

  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...