What Camera Gear do they use?

  Annie Leibovitz: The Art of Portraiture and Precision Annie Leibovitz (b. 1949, USA) is one of the most influential portrait photographers of the modern era. Her work has defined visual culture across five decades — from Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair covers to intimate portraits of artists, politicians, and cultural icons. Leibovitz’s photographs are theatrical, meticulously staged, and instantly recognizable for their cinematic lighting and storytelling power. Camera Gear Throughout her long career, Annie Leibovitz has adapted her tools to match the evolving demands of her work — from film-based reportage to high-end studio portraiture. Film Era Nikon F and Nikon FM2 – Her early cameras during the Rolling Stone years, when she photographed musicians like Mick Jagger and John Lennon. Nikon FM2 Kodak Tri-X and Ektachrome – Classic film stocks used for their reliability and tonal depth. Medium Format Cameras (Mamiya RZ67 Pro) – Became her tool of choice for editorial...

  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...

  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 –...

  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 ...

  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...

  Danny Lyon Danny Lyon, whose career spans the civil rights movement, outlaw biker subculture, and prison reportage, has favored a diverse range of gear across decades—suitable for documentary immersion and cinematic storytelling. Early Equipment Exa 35 mm SLR Bought in Munich during his Europe travels before joining the University of Chicago; his first photographic tool around 1959–1960 . Exa 35mm Leica M-series Used early alongside his Exa; small, quiet, ideal for the high-stakes environments of 1960s civil rights protests . Nikon Reflex (early Nikon F) Became his “real workhorse” during his Bikeriders years—loaded with Tri‑X and mounted with a 105 mm lens for dynamic street shots . Danny Lyon and his Nikon F Rolleiflex Carried during Bikeriders era, often paired with his Nikon and motorcycle kit. Large-Format & Field Cameras Calumet view camera Purchased in Manhattan post-1967 for architectural and demolition photography—cheap but effective for lower ...

  Daido Moriyama, the influential Japanese street photographer, is renowned for his raw, high-contrast black-and-white imagery that captures the gritty essence of urban life. His choice of camera gear has consistently reflected his philosophy of spontaneity, simplicity, and unfiltered expression. Primary Camera Gear Ricoh GR Series (Film and Digital) : Moriyama has long favored the Ricoh GR series, starting with the 35mm film-based GR1s and later transitioning to digital models like the GR Digital and GR III. He appreciates these cameras for their compactness, lightweight design, and fixed 28mm lens, which allow for quick, unobtrusive shooting—essential for his candid street photography. Ricoh GR1 Ricoh GR III Nikon F and FM SLRs : In the earlier stages of his career, Moriyama utilized Nikon F and FM series SLR cameras. These robust, manual-focus cameras enabled him to capture the dynamic street scenes that became a hallmark of his work. Nikon F Nikon FM Nikon Coolpix S91...