David Bailey’s camera gear has evolved from modest beginnings through to top-tier film and digital setups. Here's an enhanced breakdown: Early Career & Film Era Rolleiflex TLR (2.8F / 3.5F) His first camera came via Singapore during his National Service—a cheap Rolleiflex copy that kickstarted his iconic portrait style . He continued using higher-end versions (Zeiss Planar, Schneider Xenotar) for medium-format studio work . Rolleiflex 2.8F Pentax Spotmatic S3 (35 mm SLR) Switched for portability and reliability, especially favored for street and candid shoots. He admired its durability and Takumar lens lineup—particularly the 15 mm f/3.5 . Pentax Spotmatic S3 Nikon & Nikkormat SLRs Also used these earlier, learning what he liked and eventually returning to Pentax for quality consistency. Studio & Magazine Work Large-format cameras (5×4 / 10×8 inch) Preferred for high-end studio and editorial projects. Bailey noted each sheet cost ~£50, but valued ...
"The camera is an instrument that teaches people to see without a camera" - Dorothea Lange