Has anyone spotted any actual good Black Friday deals on Canon mirrorless bodies yet, or is it mostly just hyped-up older stock?
I've been eyeing the EOS R8 and saw Adorama has a bundle, but honestly the discount seems tiny once you subtract the cheap kit lens they force on you. Then I checked B&H and they have the R6 Mark II on sale but it's basically the same price it was last month. I'm trying to upgrade from my old Rebel T6 for my kid's track meets this spring, so I need something with decent autofocus.
My budget is around $1500 max. Should I buy now or wait until the actual Friday to see if better doorbusters pop up...
Oh man, coming from a Rebel T6 is going to feel like jumping into a spaceship! The autofocus on these newer Canon mirrorless systems is absolutely mind-blowing for sports. Seriously, your kid wont be able to outrun it! Since your budget is $1500, my biggest tip to stretch those dollars is to buy a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R first thing. It lets you use all your old Rebel lenses on the new mirrorless body with zero quality loss. It is a total lifesaver! Instead of waiting for retail Black Friday deals which are usually kinda disappointing, I would search used sites like MPB or KEH. You can easily find a used Canon EOS R8 Body in mint condition, or even look for a used Canon EOS R6 Body (the original R6 is still an absolute beast for sports and has dual card slots!). If you go the R8 route, grab the adapter and maybe look for a used Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM. It is super lightweight, surprisingly cheap, and has fantastic reach for outdoor track meets. You will easily stay under that $1500 limit and get professional-looking shots! Good luck!
Totally agree about the refurb route, retail BF deals are mostly hype. Just be careful with the R8 for track meets tho, the battery is tiny. You might want to consider a used Canon EOS R7 Body instead. The crop sensor gives your lenses extra reach for runners, and the AF is insane. Make sure to buy from a site like MPB for the warranty. Let me know if you need lens ideas!
Black Friday camera doorbusters are mostly hype. For track meets, I would suggest checking Canon refurbished instead of retail bundles. Be careful with those package deals, the extras are usually junk. My advice:
- Watch the Canon Direct store for refurbished stock
- Try to grab the Canon EOS R8 Body there
- Pair it with a separate telephoto lens Refurbished gets you the best discount, easily fitting your $1500 budget.
