Are you considering a camera?
Consider a used Fujifilm x-t2. Nice and low profile, slick little vintage aesthetic, mirrorless for added portability, and then of course there’s that fujifilm charm.
That warmth. Those colors. Almost no need for editing in their JPEGs once you dial in your settings.
Though, anyone who knows cameras knows the body isn’t really what matters. When it comes to gear selection you really want to focus on your lens.
It’s tempting of course to go for something you think can do it all. Maybe a 1680! It’s a little bulky but weather sealed. You could get away with it from across a room while your subject slept. It would be serviceable from the trees along his favorite walking trail.
But really, isn’t your subject worth a bit of investment?
No, you really owe it to both of you to invest in at least 2 good lenses. Something intimate, and something prying.
It cannot be overstated how delicious the 27mm f2 is for a candid shot. This sleek little pancake lens keeps your already discreet camera body almost unnoticeable. To say nothing of its incredible low light functionality. It would be easy to capture some candid street photography, half a car over on the train, a passing shot while you blend in on a bench, and it would be perfect to capture your subject in that state of calm rest. That warm fuji color quality highlighting how peaceful he feels. How safe he is sure he must be.
(If you really feel like splurging, the 23mm is a great upgrade but you do sacrifice precious portability)
Now, closing distance, thats the real star of the show. Your subject might get spooked if he sees you too often. You really need a way to appreciate from afar. You need only look to the most voyeuristic hobby of bird watching to find the XF 70-300mm is a godsend. A good 30-75 feet away on a neighboring apartment and clear as crystal to capture him reading in his apartment. The drawbacks, as nothing is perfect, is this lens is fair-weather only and fairly heavy. But the lip of a roof, the edge of a cracked car window, all the world is a tripod for the inspired photographer.
Once you become more adjusted to your subjects schedule, his habits, his environment, then you may find you need different lens upgrades. This can quickly become very expensive bit preserves the candid nature of the shots.
Or of course, you can always adjust the setting if it proves too limiting! It doesnt have to cost more to get better shots if you use a little ingenuity, and after all, he will look perfect even if he knows you’re watching him the whole time
