What Camera Gear do they use?

  Eric Kim: Street Photography, Minimalist Kit & Rooted Practice Eric Kim is a Korean-American street photographer, educator, and influential voice in the photography community. Known for his workshops, YouTube lectures, and strong philosophy of “gear doesn’t make the photographer,” Kim merges practical instruction with an emphasis on personal vision. His work spans travel, street, portraits, film and digital—and he consistently advocates for simplicity, presence, and self-reliance in photography. Camera Gear Here are gear details for Eric Kim that are confirmed by his own statements and blog: He states his current favourite camera is the Ricoh GR III. (“My favorite camera is the Ricoh GR III”) Ricoh GR III He notes his earlier work used the Leica MP + Leica 35 mm f/2 Summicron ASPH lens (film-rangefinder) for street projects. Leica MP He mentions shooting digital (Canon point & shoot, Canon 5D) early on: “I started with a little Canon point-and-shoot… then a Rebe...

  Sean Tucker: Portraits, Street, and the Journey to Less Kit Sean Tucker is a London-based photographer, filmmaker and educator whose work spans portraiture, street photography and visual storytelling. Over time, he’s moved from heavy gear setups to minimalist, mobile kits—reflecting both his aesthetic evolution and his commitment to making photography accessible and real. Camera Gear Here are the gear items for which  direct sources can be found : Used a Canon 5D Mark II + Sigma 50mm f/1.4 for portraits and travel.  Canon 5 Mark II see it on Amazon Switched from Canon/Fuji to Sony mirrorless systems (including Sony A7 III) for portability and hybrid photo/video work. Uses a Ricoh GR III as a “pocket” street-camera setup for lightweight shooting. Ricoh GR III For lighting, his portrait kit includes the Godox AD200 flash system among other accessories. Film & Technique Tucker emphasizes natural and ambient light , especially for portraits, and mix...

  Constantine Manos: The Vibrant Eye of America Constantine Manos (b. 1934) is a Greek-American photographer whose work blends documentary precision with a painterly eye for light and color. A longtime member of Magnum Photos, Manos has spent decades chronicling American life, from the South in the 1960s to the vivid street scenes of contemporary cities. His images capture both the extraordinary and the ordinary, finding poetry in everyday gestures and fleeting moments. Camera Gear Manos’s choice of cameras has evolved over time, but always with an emphasis on tools that allow him to work quickly and remain immersed in the street. Leica M Rangefinders – A cornerstone of his practice, particularly the Leica M6 , known for its reliability and compact form. Leica M6 Leica Lenses – Typically 28mm and 35mm focal lengths, perfect for close engagement with his subjects. Kodachrome Film – Central to his richly colored work in American Color , offering unmatched tonal depth. ...

  Phil Penman: Modern Storyteller of the Streets Phil Penman is a British-born, New York–based photographer whose work blends the immediacy of street photography with the timeless feel of documentary. Known for his distinctive black-and-white images, Penman captures the pulse of city life, often focusing on fleeting human moments and the gritty beauty of New York. His work has been published internationally, and his reputation continues to grow as one of the standout voices in contemporary street photography. Camera Gear Phil Penman’s gear reflects his commitment to both flexibility and classic image-making quality. Leica M Cameras – A signature tool for Penman, including digital M bodies like the Leica M10 and M11 Monochrom , prized for its stunning black-and-white output. Leica M10 Monochrom Leica M11 Monochrom Leica Lenses – Especially 28mm and 35mm lenses, giving him proximity and intimacy in crowded urban scenes. He also uses 75mm lenses. Leica Q2 Monochrom – Ano...

  Vivian Maier – The Mysterious Maestro of Street Imagery Vivian Dorothy Maier (1926–2009) was an American photographer whose astounding body of street photography remained undiscovered during her lifetime.  Working quietly as a nanny in Chicago, she captured over 100,000 images—mostly in black and white—of city life, and layered them with humanity, wit, and emotional resonance.  Her work only emerged after being discovered in a storage auction in 2007, compelling the world to recognize her visual genius posthumously. Camera Gear Vivian Maier favored tools that allowed candid observation and compositional focus: Rolleiflex Twin-Lens Reflex (TLR) : Her principal tool. Models included the 3.5T, 3.5F, 2.8C, and Automat versions—used for their waist-level viewfinder, medium-format quality, and discrete operation. Rolleiflex TLR Kodak Brownie Box Camera : Her first camera, simple and basic—used during her early years in France. Vivian Maier's Kodak Brownie 35 mm Ran...

  Blake Andrews – Observing Life’s Quiet, Strange Poetry Blake Andrews (b. 1968) is a prolific American street photographer and blogger based in Eugene, Oregon. A member of the In-Public collective, he built a reputation through subtle, quirky black-and-white images that balance the everyday with a sharp, visual wit. His work challenges expectations of street photography—he's less about decisive moments and more about lingering on the oddly poetic or quietly absurd. Camera Gear Andrews favors unassuming, practical tools that let him stay alert, nimble, and fully engaged with his surroundings: Black-and-white film (Kentmere, Arista) – "I’m a cheapskate," he admits, using whatever’s affordable—and embracing imperfection in the negative as part of his aesthetic. 35 mm rangefinder bodies (e.g. vintage Leicas, though he doesn’t fixate on a specific make), favored for discreet, responsive shooting. Blake Andrew's vintage Leica iPhone – used intermittently, esp...

  Dante Sisofo – Street Photography as Visual Diary Dante Sisofo is a Philadelphia-born street photographer whose lens is trained on everyday human moments, light, and rhythm. A graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art, Sisofo’s work spans from city streets to international scenes in Jerusalem, Zambia, and Mumbai—infusing his images with empathy, awareness, and quiet energy. His practice is deeply personal, rooted in spontaneity, grounded in presence, and guided by the belief that photography is an act of exploration, connection, and storytelling. Camera Gear Sisofo’s minimalist toolkit supports his fast-moving, intuitive style—never getting in the way between him and his subjects: Ricoh GR III & GR IIIx – compact, fixed-lens compacts perfect for spontaneous street shooting and capturing light and emotion quickly Ricoh GR IIIx HDF see it on Amazon GoPro Mini – used occasionally for immersive or experimental perspectives GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini see it on Amazon In...

Hiroshi Tabata: A Quiet Eye on Movement, Light & Everyday Humanity Born in Japan and now based in Brighton, UK, Hiroshi Tabata is celebrated for his contemplative black‑and‑white street photography. His visual sensibility is rooted in simplicity, observation, and the quiet poetry of human movement. Vision & Philosophy Tabata returned to photography around 2015 after a hiatus, rekindling his passion through candid street work—first in London, now in Brighton. His interest lies in “people on the move”—the fleeting gestures, crowds, and delicate rhythms of daily life. He creates what he calls “photography of presence”: moments captured at particular times and places, now part of his personal visual diary. Camera Gear & Workflow Though few photographers openly disclose all their gear, Tabata’s setup reflects his minimalist, mindful approach. Leica Film Rangefinder (M-series) Tabata began shooting around 2010 with a Leica M6 , drawn to its quiet shutter and reliabil...

  John Sypal is an American-born, Tokyo-based photographer whose keen observations of analog camera culture evolved into Tokyo Camera Style (TCS) —a celebrated platform documenting the vibrant world of film photography in Japan. His journey is deeply tied to film, darkrooms, and a disciplined aesthetic built around simplicity and consistency.  Camera Gear: Minimalism in Motion John’s gear reflects his belief in becoming inseparable from one reliable tool, avoiding distraction by excessive choice. Core Setup (Film-Based) Leica MP (often chrome) with 35mm Summicron lens is his primary camera—and often the only one he carries. Around since 2006, it’s handled countless rolls. Leica MP He also has a Leica M5 , a 28mm Elmarit , and 50mm Summicron / Elmar‑M lenses—though the MP + 35mm remains his steadfast tool. Leica M5 He shoots exclusively on film: Fuji Presto 400 and Super Presto 1600 , which he develops at home with Kodak HC‑110 . Prints are made in his darkroom and ...

  Ako Salemi is an Iranian-born photojournalist and street photographer, now based in the U.S. His poetic images of daily life in Tehran have won international attention, showing city streets under cinematic light and human stories unfolding amid architectural geometry. A Visual Voice Formed by Light and Silence Born in Bukan, Kurdistan, in 1981, Salemi initially studied drama before discovering that photography—especially street photography—matched his introspective nature better. He worked for years as a photojournalist in Iran before turning to a more expressive, poetic style rooted in his love of classic cinema and visual tension . Since about 2014, he has become known on Instagram as @f64s125 , posting visual stories of Tehran shaped by striking light and shadow, formal alignment, and everyday poetry. Gear: The Mobile Camera That Lets Him Blend In Ako Salemi shoots almost exclusively with a smartphone , embracing its speed and stealth for street photography: He began by...

  Nick Hannes (b. 1974, Antwerp; lives in Ranst, Belgium) is a celebrated documentary photographer and educator. With a background in photojournalism, he shifted toward independent long-form photography—publishing acclaimed books like Red Journey , Mediterranean. The Continuity of Man , Garden of Delight , and New Capital . His work explores urbanization, migration, and globalization across six newly built capitals—astutely observing power, spectacle, and absurdity under the sun. Camera Gear: Precision, Discretion & Speed Nick’s long-term projects demand mobility, minimalism, and responsiveness. While most gear details remain private, credible interviews confirm: Primary Recent Work Cameras : Nikon D850 and Sony A7R III are the main tools he uses for documentary projects. Nikon D850 see it on Amazon Sony A7R III see it on Amazon Earlier Toolkit : During his traditional picture journalism era (e.g. covering local traditions), he reportedly used Nikon D3 and D3x bodie...