Celebs Who Restore Old Cameras for Personal Shoots

In an age dominated by digital perfection, a growing number of celebrities are turning back the clock to embrace the tactile art of analog photography. These stars do not merely point and shoot; many are avid collectors who scour shops for vintage gear, repair classic bodies, and rely on mechanical equipment for their personal projects. From rangefinders used in the 1950s to panoramic swing-lens cameras, these artists find inspiration in the grain and unpredictability of film. By maintaining and using these antique devices, they play a crucial role in preserving the history of photography for a new generation.

Jeff Bridges

Best known for his iconic roles on screen, Bridges is also a dedicated photographer who has used a Widelux F8 for decades. This peculiar swing-lens camera, which captures a panoramic 140-degree image, requires careful maintenance and handling due to its mechanical complexity. Bridges famously documents the behind-the-scenes chaos of his film sets, compiling the results into privately published books for the cast and crew. His dedication to this specific format is so immense that he recently launched a project to manufacture new units and parts to keep the Widelux legacy alive.

Jason Momoa

The action star is a passionate collector of vintage Leica cameras and is often seen with a 1958 Leica M2 draped around his neck. Momoa actively hunts for rare bodies and lenses during his travels, valuing the mechanical precision of German engineering. His collection includes historical pieces that require expert tuning to remain operational in the field. He frequently uses these cameras to capture rugged landscapes and intimate portraits, preferring the soulful rendering of old glass over modern digital sensors.

Lenny Kravitz

Kravitz developed a fascination with photography at a young age and has since become a serious collector of Leica rangefinders. His passion for the brand runs so deep that he collaborated with Leica to design a special edition “Correspondent” camera, which features a pre-worn brass finish to mimic his own vintage gear. He treats his cameras as essential tools for his visual diary, often photographing fans and paparazzi from his own perspective. His work has been exhibited in galleries, proving that his eye for composition is as sharp as his musical talent.

Cole Sprouse

While many know him from his television career, Sprouse has a background in archaeology and a profound respect for archival preservation. He shoots primarily with a Canon AE-1 and various medium format cameras, often servicing his gear to ensure reliability during remote shoots. His photography focuses on landscapes and fashion, utilizing the distinct color science of celluloid film to create moody atmospheres. Sprouse frequently discusses the technical aspects of developing and scanning, showcasing a deep understanding of the analog process.

Gary Oldman

Oldman is another champion of the Widelux camera, often using it to capture panoramic perspectives that standard lenses cannot achieve. He appreciates the quiet, mechanical nature of the swing lens, which allows for candid moments on busy film sets. His photographs often feature a blurred, ethereal quality that emphasizes motion and time passing within a single frame. Oldman maintains a collection of these rare cameras, ensuring they remain in working order for his personal artistic endeavors.

Jessica Lange

The legendary actress is an accomplished photographer who has published several monographs featuring her black-and-white work. She shoots primarily with a Leica M6, a classic rangefinder known for its durability and simplicity. Lange often photographs candid moments during her travels, focusing on the human condition with a raw and empathetic gaze. Her dedication to the medium involves maintaining her equipment to the highest standard to ensure every negative captures the subtle tones she seeks.

Norman Reedus

Reedus is rarely seen without a camera in hand, often favoring gritty, high-contrast black-and-white film to document his life. His gear choices range from Nikon SLRs to vintage rangefinders, which he uses to capture the surreal and often grotesque beauty of his surroundings. He has released photography books that compile years of travel and on-set experiences, all shot through the lens of aging analog equipment. His hands-on approach to the medium reflects a desire to preserve the physical evidence of his journey.

Viggo Mortensen

Mortensen founded a publishing house, Perceval Press, to feature art and poetry, including his own extensive photographic work. He utilizes a variety of vintage cameras, including Hasselblad medium format systems, to capture abstract and landscape images. His process involves a careful attention to the development stage, often experimenting with different film stocks to achieve painterly effects. The actor views his camera as a sketchbook, requiring constant care and readiness to capture fleeting moments of inspiration.

Matthew Modine

During the filming of ‘Full Metal Jacket’ (1987), Modine used a Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex camera to document the grueling production. He has since maintained this vintage square-format camera, using it to take portraits that feel timeless and composed. His collection of images from the set was eventually published, offering a unique historical record seen through the waist-level viewfinder of a classic machine. Modine continues to advocate for the deliberate, slow pace that shooting with a Rolleiflex demands.

Bryan Adams

While famous for his rock ballads, Adams has established a second successful career as a professional fashion and portrait photographer. He frequently employs vintage Rolleiflex and Hasselblad cameras to capture striking images of his celebrity peers and war veterans. His work often relies on the distinct optical qualities of older lenses, which he maintains meticulously to ensure professional results. Adams has proven that vintage gear can compete with modern digital systems in high-stakes editorial environments.

Frank Ocean

The reclusive musician is known for his love of the Contax T3, a premium compact film camera that has become a cult classic. Ocean uses the camera to document his personal life and the fashion world, famously capturing the Met Gala on 35mm film. His interest in analog gear extends to medium format cameras, which he uses for their superior resolution and depth. By championing these discontinued models, he has helped spark a massive resurgence in the market for high-end point-and-shoots.

Tyler, The Creator

Tyler is a significant figure in the analog renaissance, frequently using a Contax G2 to capture the vibrant aesthetics of his tours and personal life. He appreciates the autofocus capabilities of this 1990s rangefinder, which bridges the gap between vintage charm and modern usability. His photobooks and social media posts often feature the date stamps characteristic of older cameras, adding a nostalgic layer to his visual output. He keeps his gear in rotation, ensuring these electronic film cameras remain functional despite their age.

Zendaya

Zendaya often documents her life using a Contax G2, a sophisticated titanium rangefinder from the late 90s. She captures candid portraits of her co-stars and friends, favoring the rich skin tones and soft grain that film provides. Her use of this specific camera has introduced a legion of young fans to the world of analog photography. She treats the camera as a personal diary, preserving memories on physical negatives rather than digital files.

Kendall Jenner

Jenner is largely responsible for the skyrocketing popularity of the Contax T2, a luxury compact camera she brings to high-profile events. She uses the camera to snap casual, flash-heavy photos of her inner circle, embracing the imperfect and spontaneous aesthetic of film. Her consistent use of the camera requires sourcing reliable units that have been serviced to prevent the electronic failures common in vintage electronics. Jenner’s influence has turned this specific model into a must-have accessory for fashion enthusiasts.

Jacob Elordi

The ‘Euphoria’ (2019–present) star is a devout Leica user, often seen carrying a vintage M-series rangefinder during press tours and downtime. Elordi appreciates the manual focus and mechanical feedback of these cameras, which force a slower, more intentional approach to image-making. He photographs his co-stars and surroundings with a classic photojournalistic style, often in black and white. His commitment to the craft includes understanding the mechanics of his tools, ensuring they are ready for any lighting condition.

Brie Larson

Larson is an enthusiastic photographer who frequently shares images taken with her Nikon FM2, a robust mechanical SLR known for its reliability. She uses the camera to capture personal travel diaries and behind-the-scenes moments, often experimenting with different film stocks. The fully mechanical nature of the FM2 means it requires no battery to operate the shutter, appealing to her desire for a purely analog experience. Larson’s photos often highlight the texture and warmth that only vintage optics can render.

Brad Pitt

Pitt has been an avid photographer for years, often spotted with a variety of cameras including large format and medium format systems. He famously shot a series of intimate portraits of his family using Kodak Tech Pan film, a rare stock that requires precise development. His interest in the technical side of photography leads him to explore different vintage formats and lenses. Pitt appreciates the tangible nature of prints and negatives, viewing the darkroom process as a meditative act.

Helena Christensen

As a supermodel who spent decades in front of the lens, Christensen developed a keen eye and eventually moved behind the camera. She utilizes a variety of vintage cameras, including Polaroids and medium format bodies, to capture ethereal and dreamlike images. Her work has been exhibited internationally, showcasing a deep understanding of natural light and composition. She treasures her old cameras as artifacts that hold the capability to freeze time in a way digital cannot.

Drew Barrymore

Barrymore has been documenting her life on film for decades, often using a Pentax K1000, a tank-like student camera that is beloved for its simplicity. She published a book of her photography featuring heart-shaped objects she found in everyday life, all captured on film. Her unpretentious approach to gear highlights the emotional connection she has with the medium. She continues to shoot analog to maintain a physical archive of her personal history.

Ben Affleck

Affleck is a self-proclaimed camera geek who possesses an impressive collection of vintage cinema lenses and bodies. He has been known to nerd out over the specific characteristics of older glass, such as Canon K35 lenses, which he values for their unique flares and lower contrast. His interest extends to still photography, where he employs classic equipment to capture his family and travels. Affleck actively maintains this gear to ensure it retains the specific visual signature he admires.

Andy Serkis

The master of motion capture is also a keen observer of the real world through the lens of a Leica rangefinder. Serkis used his camera to document his journey to Everest Base Camp, capturing the majestic landscapes and the people he met along the way. He produced a black-and-white exhibition from these negatives, showcasing the high contrast and sharpness typical of Leica optics. His reliance on a mechanical camera in such harsh conditions speaks to the durability of the vintage equipment he chooses.

Chris Pine

Pine is frequently spotted carrying a Leica M-series camera, blending in with the tradition of street photographers who value discretion. He uses the camera to document his travels, preferring the rangefinder experience which allows him to see outside the frame before clicking the shutter. His choice of gear reflects a wider appreciation for mid-century design and mechanical longevity. Pine’s photographs are rarely shared publicly, serving instead as a private collection of his observations.

Jonah Hill

Hill is a significant proponent of the film photography wave, often using medium format cameras and high-end point-and-shoots. He captures candid portraits of the skating and hip-hop communities, embracing the raw aesthetic of street photography. His interest in the medium has led him to explore various vintage systems, learning the quirks and maintenance needs of each. Hill uses these cameras to strip away the polish of celebrity life, presenting a more authentic reality.

Harry Styles

Styles has embraced the Super 8 format for many of his music videos and personal projects, reviving interest in motion picture film. While primarily known for video, his aesthetic leans heavily on the colors and grain of vintage Kodak stocks. He often carries small film cameras to document touring life, appreciating the delay between shooting and seeing the results. This dedication to analog formats keeps the necessary processing labs and repair shops in business.

Florence Pugh

Pugh is an avid user of disposable cameras and simple point-and-shoots, often sharing the developed results with her fans. She treats these cameras as fun, low-stakes tools to capture the joy and absurdity of life on set. By constantly buying and developing film, she contributes to the ongoing demand that keeps film manufacturers operating. Her photos possess a candid, unpolished energy that contrasts with the highly produced imagery of Hollywood.

Maude Apatow

Apatow is rarely seen without a film camera, using it to chronicle the lives of her famous friends and family. She favors the soft, nostalgic look of 35mm film, which complements her vintage-inspired fashion sense. Her commitment to the medium involves carrying delicate cameras to parties and events, risking damage to capture the perfect shot. She represents a generation that values the physical artifact of a negative over a digital file.

Lisa

The Blackpink star is a massive collector of vintage cameras, owning an extensive array of Contax, Leica, and Nikon bodies. She often shares her collection and the resulting images on a dedicated social media account, showcasing her knowledge of different focal lengths and film stocks. Her enthusiasm has driven up the value of specific models like the Nikon FM2 and Contax T3 in Asian markets. Lisa actively maintains her collection, treating each camera as a distinct instrument with its own personality.

Suki Waterhouse

Waterhouse has been shooting film for years, using it to capture the indie sleaze aesthetic of the music and fashion worlds. She relies on compact vintage cameras that can fit in a handbag, ready to capture spontaneous backstage moments. Her photography features a grainy, high-flash look that has become synonymous with her personal brand. She champions the use of second-hand gear, proving that older cameras often have more soul than the newest technology.

Emily Ratajkowski

Ratajkowski frequently uses film cameras to take control of her own image, turning the lens on herself and her surroundings. She uses various vintage compacts to capture intimate and unretouched moments, challenging the perfectionism of commercial photography. Her use of analog equipment creates a sense of intimacy and authenticity that resonates with her audience. By prioritizing film, she supports the ecosystem of labs and camera shops that make the medium viable.

Which of these celebrity-restored camera collections inspired you to check your attic for vintage gear? Share your thoughts in the comments.