Does anyone know if there are actually gonna be any real deals on the Fuji X-T5 for Black Friday this year or am I just wasting my time waiting? I have been shooting on my trusty X-T3 since it basically came out—absolute workhorse of a camera—but I am finally ready to jump to the X-Trans 5 sensor mostly because I need that 40MP for some large format prints I'm planning. Plus the IBIS would be a literal lifesaver for the street photography I do since I hate carrying a tripod when I'm traveling.
The thing is I have been refreshing the pages on B&H and Adorama like a crazy person and the price hasn't budged an inch from $1,699. Usually by now you see some early bird leaks or at least a bundle deal with a kit lens but everything is just full price. I am located in Chicago and checked a couple local spots too but they said Fuji is super strict with their pricing lately. I'm getting a little anxious because I have a big trip to Japan booked for the second week of January and I really want to have the camera in hand at least a couple weeks before that so I can get used to the new autofocus tracking and dial in my film sims. I have been using the old system for so long that the new menu layout and AF-C settings are probably gonna take a minute to get down.
My budget is pretty firm around $1,400-$1,500 for the body alone since I just dropped a bunch of cash on the 33mm f1.4 (which is incredible glass btw). Do you guys think we will see a $100 or $200 drop or is Fuji just gonna keep riding the hype train because the X100V and VI are still sold out everywhere? I remember back in the day you could get $300 off an X-T2 or X-T3 during the holidays but things feel different now with the supply chain stuff. I was even looking at the X-H2 since that goes on sale more often but I really prefer the dedicated dials on the X-T series. Once you get used to that tactile feel of the shutter speed and ISO dials it is hard to go back to a PASM layout. Is it even worth waiting another two weeks or should I just bite the bullet now so I dont risk it being backordered...
Honestly, I wouldnt count on a huge price drop for the Fujifilm X-T5 40MP APS-C Mirrorless Camera! Fuji knows they have a winner here and since the X100 series is basically impossible to find, everyone is flocking to the X-T5 instead. I have been shooting Fuji for a decade and they have definitely tightened up on the holiday discounts lately. Here is the reality of the situation:
- Fuji prioritizes discounts on the hybrid bodies like the Fujifilm X-H2S High Speed Mirrorless Camera to compete with Sony, but the X-T series is their absolute bread and butter.
- You might see a $100 instant rebate if you are lucky, but a $200 or $300 drop like the old days is super unlikely right now.
- If you have that Japan trip in January, just buy it now! You absolutely need time to master the new AF-C tracking and the subject detection modes because they are way more complex than your X-T3. The 40MP sensor is absolutely incredible for those big prints! I love mine and the IBIS is a total game changer for street shots. Just bite the bullet so you dont get stuck with a backorder right before your flight...
To add to the point above: the market for that 40MP sensor is just too hot right now for deep discounts. Fuji has seen how people are paying way over MSRP for the X100 series, so they have zero incentive to drop the Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body Black below $1,600 this year. If you are firm on that $1,500 limit, I would suggest a few technical workarounds:
- Scout for an open-box unit at a local Chicago shop like Central Camera.
- Look for the official Fujifilm Refurbished store listings, though they go fast.
- Try to find a used Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Digital Camera Silver as the silver ones sometimes resell slightly cheaper than the black. Tbh the IBIS and the 160MP Pixel Shift feature are huge for those large prints you want. It is a massive technical leap over the X-T3. If you can stretch the budget by selling your old body now, I would just grab it. You definitely need those two weeks to dial in the AF-C custom settings before your Japan trip so you dont miss any shots in the busy streets. That Fujifilm XF 33mm f1.4 R LM WR Lens is a perfect match for the new sensor resolution too.
Gonna try this over the weekend. Will report back if it works!
