What Camera Gear do they use?

  Helmut Newton (1920–2004) was a German-Australian photographer whose provocative, cinematic imagery—often erotic, stylized, and framed in urban or hotel settings—became iconic in fashion and portrait photography. His work appeared extensively in Vogue and Elle , and he was celebrated for images that blended scripted glamour with moments of candid surprise. Camera Gear & Toolkit An Equipped Minimalist Newton famously kept his kit small yet versatile: Four camera bodies , five lenses , a strobe, and a Polaroid camera—all fitting in one bag under 40 lbs . This minimalist setup enabled him to work anywhere with ease . Over his career, he experimented with a variety of systems including a 4×5 Graflex Super D , Rolleiflex TLR , Nikon , Canon , Pentax , Olympus , Instamatic , and even point‑and‑shoot compacts like the Stylus Epic —often choosing whichever tools suited the situation best . Graflex Super D Helmut Newton and camera He is seen on a number of pictures using a ...

  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...

  Duane Michals is known more for his inventive approach to storytelling than for a distinctive camera brand—but here’s what reliable sources confirm about his actual gear: Camera Format & Bodies Michals is self‑taught and a staunch film loyalist—he still shoots 35 mm film , never switched to digital . He primarily works with two 35 mm Canon SLRs . Early on, on his 1958 USSR trip, he borrowed a basic Argus C3, which accidentally introduced him to creative double exposures —a serendipitous effect that profoundly shaped his work. Argus C3 Film & Lighting For black-and-white, he shoots almost exclusively on Kodak Tri‑X ; he sometimes uses color film for his Japan series . He relies on natural light for ~90–99 % of his work, rarely using flash or artificial setups.  Techniques & Style Michals creatively exploits the native capabilities of analog , such as long exposures , multiple exposures , blurring , sandwiching negatives , and hand-painting text...

  Man Ray (1890–1976), the legendary avant-garde artist, was best known for his experimental photographic techniques rather than for being associated with specific camera gear.  However, here’s what we know about the equipment he used: Cameras Man Ray Used Large-format view cameras (plate cameras) Man Ray primarily worked with large-format cameras that used glass plates or sheet film, common in the early 20th century. These cameras allowed precise control over focus and exposure, essential for his portrait and fashion work in Paris. Specific brands/models are not well-documented, but likely candidates include: Voigtländer , Zeiss , or Contessa-Nettel plate cameras Possibly Graflex or similar American studio cameras during his early career Rolleiflex TLR (later years) In his later career, when technology advanced, he is reported to have occasionally used a Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex for more portable work. Rolleiflex TLR More important than the camera: his te...

  Yousuf Karsh (1908–2002), one of the most celebrated portrait photographers of the 20th century, was known for his dramatic use of lighting and large-format precision. His camera gear reflected his commitment to image quality and detail. Here’s what Karsh typically used: Primary camera 8×10 view cameras Karsh often used large-format cameras like: Calumet 8×10 view camera Deardorff 8×10 (also reported in some sources) These cameras allowed him to create richly detailed, high-resolution images suitable for his large prints. Yousuf Karsh Yousuf Karsh Film 8×10 sheet film (black & white and color depending on the portrait) He favored films that could handle high contrast and capture his signature lighting style. Lenses Large-format lenses from makers like Schneider and Rodenstock (typical for view cameras of that era) Focal lengths that gave him a normal to slightly longer perspective for tight, formal portraits (e.g., 300 mm or longer for 8×10 format...

  Joseph‑Philippe Bevillard is renowned for blending medium-format film photography with digital tools in his long‑term documentary work.  Here's a breakdown of his gear: Film: Hasselblad Medium Format Hasselblad medium‑format cameras and lenses : Bevillard has used these since at least 2009 to capture square-format black‑and‑white environmental portraits. His work on Irish Travellers began in black and white with these film systems. The most iconinc Hasselblad cameras were the  Hasselblad 500C/M or 503CW. Hasselblad 500C/M Hasselblad 503CW He prioritizes detail and authenticity — often including the film border in his prints to mirror what he sees through the viewfinder . Digital: DSLR or Mirrorless with Wide-Angle Zoom After losing a bag of film gear on a train in 2018, he continued documenting with a digital camera. He mentions using “a short wide-angle zoom lens and a fast 8 frames per second option,” ideal for capturing spontaneous, candid moments Why Thi...

  Joe Greer is a renowned photographer celebrated for his emotive storytelling and mastery of both analog and digital mediums. His gear choices reflect a deep appreciation for the tactile and intentional aspects of photography. Camera Bodies Leica M6 : Greer’s primary camera for film photography is the Leica M6. He often describes it as his "trusty" companion, rarely leaving home without it. The M6's manual controls and compact form factor align with his desire for intentionality in capturing moments. Leica M6 Mamiya 7 : For medium format work, Greer has been known to use the Mamiya 7. This rangefinder camera offers exceptional image quality, making it suitable for his landscape and portrait projects. Mamiya 7 Canon 5D Mark II : In his transition from mobile to digital photography, Greer utilized the Canon 5D Mark II paired with a 50mm f/1.4 lens. This setup helped him bridge the gap between casual shooting and more professional work . Canon EOS 5D Mark II iPhon...

  Irving Penn was a master of photographic technique and used a variety of camera gear throughout his career, often adapting his equipment to suit the specific needs of his projects. Here's a breakdown of the types of cameras and some specific models he was known to use: Cameras Large Format View Cameras : These were his most frequently used cameras for studio work, allowing him to capture exceptional detail and tonality. Specific models mentioned include Deardorff and Sinar. He also owned and used a Linhof III Technika 4x5 camera. Irving Penn and camera Linhof 4x5 Technica III  Medium Format Cameras: He used medium format cameras, including the Rolleiflex (which he purchased as his first camera in 1938) and Hasselblad. He took five Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex cameras for his ethnographic work where he used a portable studio. Rolleiflex 35mm Cameras: Penn began using 35mm cameras, such as Leica, for his magazine travel assignments starting in 1950. In the late 1950s, he transi...

  Anton Corbijn, the renowned Dutch photographer and filmmaker, is celebrated for his raw, intimate portraits of musicians and artists. His distinctive style is characterized by minimal equipment, natural settings, and a preference for analog photography. Camera Equipment Hasselblad Medium Format Cameras : Corbijn often utilizes Hasselblad cameras for square-format images, like the Hasselblad 501CM or the 503CW. These cameras are known for their simplicity and reliability, aligning with his straightforward approach to photography. Hasselblad 501CM Hasselblad 503CW Leica 35mm Rangefinders : For 35mm photography, Corbijn prefers Leica cameras. He appreciates the tactile experience and the anticipation involved in shooting film, stating that digital photography's immediacy can alter the shooting process and diminish the sense of adventure. Film and Processing Kodak Tri-X Black-and-White Film : Corbijn favors Kodak Tri-X film for its grainy texture, which he believes adds a ...

  Steve McCurry, renowned for his evocative portraits like the iconic "Afghan Girl," has utilized a variety of camera gear throughout his illustrious career, adapting to technological advancements while maintaining his distinctive photographic style. Current Camera Gear Leica SL2 and SL3 Mirrorless Cameras : In recent years, McCurry has embraced Leica's SL-series mirrorless cameras. He frequently pairs these bodies with the versatile Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24–90mm f/2.8–4 lens, which he uses for the majority of his work. Additionally, he employs the 15–35mm f/3.5–4.5 and 90–280mm f/2.8–4 lenses for specific shooting scenarios. Leica SL2 see it on Amazon Leica SL3 see it on Amazon Smartphone Photography :  Demonstrating adaptability, McCurry has also explored smartphone photography. Notably, he used the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro to capture a series of portraits for the #MyUnsungHeroes project, showcasing the potential of mobile devices in professional photography. He also used ...