The Gear I Use Today

When I first started exploring the world of photography, I spent countless hours watching YouTube videos of photographers I admired. I became obsessed with these amazing photographers and wanted to know how they achieved such unique results (I'll mention a few of the photographers I particularly admire at the end of this post).

Very quickly, I realized that, as cliché as it may sound, the gear they used isn’t what made them the exceptional photographers they are. Of course, the sharper and more advanced the lens, and the newer the camera technology, the easier it is to achieve high-quality results. But quality alone isn’t what excites me. For me, the thrill of photography comes from the story a picture tells and the thought process behind it.

In general, I believe that any work of art is truly good when it resonates with an emotion. So how do I know that gear isn’t what creates the excitement in photography? Because I’ve tried it. I’ve tried and switched my cameras and lenses multiple times in an attempt to get the results I wanted. For the photographers reading this, I’ll summarize the gear I’ve used here and provide more details in a separate post:

I started with Fujifilm gear: using the XT30 and various lenses. After that, I switched to Canon’s DSLR system and then moved to a mirrorless setup with several lenses that covered all the focal lengths and apertures I could ask for. I later sold a lens I wasn’t using and got the Ricoh GR III with a fixed lens, which is still, in my opinion, the most fun camera to use. Ultimately, I sold all my gear in favor of one camera that was incredibly hard to get, with a single fixed lens: the Leica Q3.

Leica q3:

After experimenting with such a wide range of photography gear, I noticed two main things:

1. The first is that while gear affects the quality and style of the image, it doesn’t determine how successful the image is in my eyes. Playing with light, composition, editing, and the story the image tells, along with my growing experience, are what truly make a difference.

2. The second thing I realized is that the abundance of choices in gear actually slowed me down and reduced my motivation to simply grab my camera and shoot.

For these reasons, I ultimately chose to use just one camera with a fixed lens that can’t be swapped out. This choice completely changed my experience in the world of photography. I now take my camera everywhere with me, instead of setting out for dedicated photography days. I don’t have to think about what gear to bring today—I only work with this one camera.

This focus allows me to concentrate on what I find most important in photography—evoking emotion. There’s also a personal bonus for me: the therapeutic aspect of photography (I’ll write a separate post about this topic).

I believe that most photographers go through a similar journey when searching for the right gear. After initial experimentation in this world, it becomes clear that it’s the person behind the camera that makes photography successful.

Why did I choose a Leica camera in the end?

I wanted a camera with a fixed lens so I wouldn’t be tempted to swap lenses. After reading numerous reviews and technical specs, I chose the camera that I believe meets most of my needs as a photographer: a sharp and fast lens, weather-resistant, with color science that I love, relatively compact, and portable enough to take anywhere. I’m satisfied with this choice every single day—it frees me from the distraction of choices that don’t significantly impact the results I want to achieve.

This camera goes with me everywhere, and I’ve undoubtedly fallen in love with it, but I know it’s not what makes my photos good or bad. I know that, ultimately, it’s just a tool, and my process as a photographer isn’t dependent on any particular piece of equipment. I also never stop seeking inspiration from other photographers, always striving to improve and achieve better results.

Here’s a short list of modern photographers who inspire me a lot: Evan Raft, Peter McKinnon, Fredrick Axling, Luke Jackson-Clark, Eric Goetz, Kevin P. Gould, Dan Baker. This list is very limited—there are many more talented photographers who inspire me, and every day I discover more amazing new photographers. Naturally, the gear they use isn’t the same, but the emotional impact I experience comes from who they are and what they bring into their photos.