What Camera Gear do they use?

  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 D810 and Sony A7R III are the main tools he uses for documentary projects. Nikon D810 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...

  Gustavo Minas , the Brazilian-born photographer based in Brasília and São Paulo, crafts visual essays in color that feel like living paintings—full of reflections, architectural geometry, people in motion, and sharp contrasts. Although his inner world is dense and cinematic, his camera gear has evolved with intention and clarity. Gear Journey: From Fuji X100 to X‑Pro3 Fujifilm X100 (2014–2016) Minas discovered Fujifilm in 2014 when his DSLR broke. He borrowed an X100 and immediately fell in love with its slide-film color aesthetic and compactness. He then transitioned to the X‑Pro1 with a 27 mm lens , giving him more compositional control and a 41 mm equivalent field of view, better suited to Brasília’s urban scale . Fujifilm X100 Fujifilm X‑Pro1 → X‑Pro2 In 2016, Minas upgraded to the X‑Pro1 + 27 mm and the versatile 18–55 mm zoom , which allowed him to work with layered reflections and unified depth, blending planes into visual metaphors .  Fujifilm X-Pro1 He moved to the...

  Pau Buscató is a Barcelona-born street photographer now based in Oslo, Norway. Widely admired for his surreal, humorous, and often poetic compositions, Buscató has carved out a unique place in contemporary street photography by capturing fleeting moments that seem almost too perfect to be real — visual coincidences, playful alignments, and subtle absurdities that reveal themselves only to the most attentive eye. But what's most remarkable is not just what he captures — it’s how he captures it: with minimalist tools and a deep reliance on instinct, patience, and awareness. Philosophy First: Why Less Is More Pau Buscató believes in reducing distractions and allowing vision to take the lead. He emphasizes that street photography is not about chasing gear, trends, or presets—it’s about being fully present , visually alert , and open to the surprises of everyday life. “I try to go out every day to shoot. I want to keep my eye trained and sharp. Most of the time I come back with n...

  Here’s what reliable sources report about Jake Ricker’s camera gear : Primary Film Camera & Film Leica M7 with a 35 mm Summicron ASPH lens , typically shot on Kodak UltraMax 400 color film. He specifically aims to use: “One location, one camera, one film” — though recent film supply issues have reduced his shooting volume . Leica M7 He’s documented the Golden Gate Bridge almost daily since 2018, shooting thousands of rolls with this M7‑35 mm setup. Alternate Film Cameras Occasionally uses Nikon N80 and Leica M4‑P , again with Kodak 35 mm film, to support other documentary work beyond the bridge project. Nikon N80 see it on Amazon Leica M4-P Older Background Gear Early in his life, Ricker received a Pentax K1000 , which sparked his love of film photography during high school classes—though that camera is no longer part of his current working kit . Pentax K1000 He also carried a Contax T3 strapped to his messenger bag in his bike messenger days, used along wi...

Here’s a clear summary of the camera gear Jeff Mermelstein has used throughout his career: Film Era – Leica M-P & 35 mm Summilux Leica M‑P (rangefinder) paired with a 35 mm f/1.4 Summilux lens Loaded early work with Fujicolor Superia for vibrant color street shots . Mermelstein has said: “I have a long history with Leica beginning with my first M6 when I was in my twenties,” and continued using Leica rangefinders well into his film-based practice. Leica MP Digital Transition – iPhone iPhone camera became his exclusive tool in recent years, especially noted in his series capturing strangers’ text messages for #nyc. He describes the iPhone as "revolutionary," citing its power to reinvent street photography and allow spontaneous, unseen moments. Occasional Canon Use Mention has been made that he “has also shot with a Canon,” though details are vague—likely early or supplementary in his career. Approach & Philosophy Color-first : Mermelstein prefe...

  David Ingraham has embraced the iPhone as his primary photographic tool , using it to craft moody, cinematic street photography with remarkable agility and subtlety. Primary Camera: iPhone (since ~2012) He has been shooting exclusively with an iPhone for around six to twelve years , crediting it for giving him the invisibility needed to capture natural, unguarded moments on the street. Early on, he used an iPhone 4 , then an iPhone 8, and currently shoots with a later iPhone model (likely iPhone 12 Pro or newer) . iPhone 12 Pro see it on Amazon He typically uses the stock camera app , sometimes with Apple's built-in Noir filter, favoring spontaneity and ease. Post‑Processing: Apps & Style His black-and-white conversions are done using Snapseed , and occasionally older apps like Hipstamatic and BlurFX for grainy or motion effects. In his early iPhoneography days, he experimented with multiple apps, but has since simplified to just a few, focusing on tonal con...

Olga Karlovac is renowned for her dreamy, abstract black‑and‑white street photography, most often taken during rainy nights or through blurred reflections.  When it comes to the camera gear behind her signature style, the most concrete info comes from a user sharing EXIF data on a camera forum: “RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. – RICOH GR IIIx … 26 mm f/2.8 1/3 sec … Manual exposure” This indicates she shoots with the Ricoh GR IIIx , a premium compact camera beloved for: Its 26 mm equivalent lens—great for wide‑angle street compositions Crisp image quality with a fast f/2.8 aperture Manual controls and high ISO performance, enabling low‑light handheld shooting Ricoh GR IIIx HDF see it on Amazon Her choice makes sense, as she frequently favors slower shutter speeds (e.g. 1/3–1/8 sec) to produce motion blur and ethereal abstractions—intentionally crafting her signature atmospheric style. Why the Ricoh GR IIIx suits her Pocketable and discreet : ideal for spontaneou...

  Viitala began his photography journey in the 1990s using film cameras , laying a foundation that now enriches his street photography with analog-inspired awareness. Core Digital Setup – Fujifilm X-Series Fujifilm X100F Viitala’s primary digital tool—a compact, fixed-lens camera (23 mm equivalent)—used since approximately 2018. He's praised its discretion, versatility, and image quality, ideal for capturing strong light-and-shadow moments in urban environments. Fujifilm X100F see it on Amazon Support Kit: Minimal & Purposeful Although he’s shoot casually, anecdotal evidence indicates he occasionally uses a Canon G9X for alternative framing or experimentation. Canon G9X see it on Amazon Why This Setup Works for Him Discreet : Small, unassuming gear blends into the scene—key for genuine street capture. Fixed lens discipline : Encourages intentional composition rather than zoom reliance. Mobility & spontaneity : Light setup lets him chase contrasts and geometry...

  Yukio Uchida is a celebrated Japanese photographer often affiliated with Fujifilm’s X-Photographers, and his gear reflects his passion for capturing emotional, monochrome street and landscape scenes. Here's an in-depth look: Core Camera Systems Fujifilm X-Pro3 Uchida's primary camera listed on Fujifilm’s official X‑Photographer page . Renowned for its discreet rangefinder-style viewfinder and rugged yet compact build—perfect for expressive street photography. Fujifilm X-Pro3 see it on Amazon Fujifilm X100 Series He began shooting with the original X100 in 2011, praising it for image quality and intuitive design . Fujifilm X100VI see it on Amazon He expressed a particular attachment to the X-Pro1 paired with the XF56mm lens, valuing the camera-lens "closeness" and creative control. Fujifilm X-Pro1 see it on Amazon Preferred Lenses On the X-Pro3 (and earlier X-Pro1), Uchida favors prime lenses known for their character and sharpness: XF14mm f/2.8 –...

  Giedo van der Zwan is renowned for his vibrant street photography—often shot on beaches or at festivals—with a minimal yet powerful setup focused on proximity, light, and spontaneity. Primary Camera & Lens He consistently shoots with a Leica Q (or Q2) —a 28 mm full-frame compact with a fixed wide-angle lens—perfect for his style of shooting close, fast, and intuitively. Leica Q2 see it on Amazon In some cases, he has also used the Fuji X100F , another wide-angle fixed-lens camera, offering similar portability. Fujifilm X100F see it on Amazon Lighting: On-Camera Flash He pairs that fixed wide lens with a small flash , shooting brightly-lit, colorful scenes—even in daylight—to create a candid, near-studio effect. This combination allows him to pop the subject into sharp relief against their background, often adding surprising details. Gear Philosophy: One Camera, One Lens Giedo embraces streamlined gear —just one camera, one lens, and a flash —so he can move quick...