What Camera Gear do they use?

  Susan Meiselas: The Witness Who Stays Introduction Susan Meiselas (b. 1948, Baltimore) is one of the most significant and morally rigorous documentary photographers of the last half-century. A member of  Magnum Photos  since 1976 — and President of the  Magnum Foundation  since its founding in 2007 — she first came to prominence with  Carnival Strippers  (1976), a groundbreaking multi-year project photographing women performing in travelling strip shows across New England. That work established the hallmarks that would define her entire career: long-term immersion, ethical commitment to her subjects, and a documentary practice that goes far beyond the single image. She is best known internationally for her coverage of the Sandinista insurrection in Nicaragua (1978–1979), producing some of the most iconic images in the history of conflict photography — most notably  Molotov Man  (1979), named by  Time  magazine as one of the 100 mo...

Richard Avedon – Redefining Fashion and Portrait Photography Richard Avedon (1923–2004) was an American photographer whose work reshaped the worlds of fashion and portraiture. Known for his crisp, minimalist style and ability to reveal the essence of his subjects, Avedon created some of the most iconic images of the 20th century. From glamorous Vogue spreads to raw portraits of working-class Americans, his photography blurred the line between commercial art and profound social commentary. Camera Gear Richard Avedon was meticulous about his equipment, choosing tools that matched his bold artistic vision: Rolleiflex Twin-Lens Reflex – his early work in fashion and reportage was often shot with this medium-format classic. Avedon and Rolleiflex Nikon 35mm cameras – used during assignments that required speed, mobility, and spontaneity. Deardorff 8×10 large format view camera – his signature tool for portraiture, producing razor-sharp, monumental images. Deardorff 8x10 Stud...

  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 ...

  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...

  Bill Brandt, a seminal figure in 20th-century British photography, employed a diverse array of cameras throughout his career, each chosen to align with his evolving artistic vision.   His selection of equipment was instrumental in shaping the distinctive aesthetic of his work, from stark social documentaries to surreal nudes and evocative landscapes. Early Career: Zeiss-Ikon Miroflex In the late 1920s, Brandt began his photographic journey with a Zeiss-Ikon Miroflex , a medium format single-lens reflex camera that utilized glass negatives measuring approximately 6.5 x 9 cm. This camera allowed him to compose images meticulously, either at eye level or using a waist-level viewfinder, facilitating both candid street scenes and carefully arranged compositions. Zeiss-Ikon Miroflex Documentary Work: Rolleiflex During the 1930s and early 1940s, Brandt extensively used a Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex camera. Its 6x6 cm format and high-quality optics made it ideal for his social d...

Josef Koudelka: The Poet of Exile and Human Resilience Introduction Josef Koudelka, born in 1938 in Czechoslovakia, is one of the most celebrated photographers of the 20th century. Known for his powerful black-and-white images of Roma communities, war-torn landscapes, and the human condition, Koudelka’s work is a profound exploration of displacement, resilience, and the beauty of marginalized cultures.  His iconic series Gypsies and Exiles capture the raw emotion and dignity of people living on the fringes of society, while his panoramic landscapes reveal the scars of conflict and the passage of time. Koudelka’s photography is defined by its emotional depth, dramatic compositions, and an unflinching commitment to truth. Here's an overview of the key cameras he has employed: Camera Gear Used by Josef Koudelka Early Career: Wide-Angle SLR Exakta Varex with 25mm f/4 Flektogon Lens : During his seminal "Gypsies" project in the 1960s, Koudelka used this setup to captur...