Okay so I am kind of panicking right now because my main body just crapped out on me during a shoot last weekend and I have three huge weddings coming up in mid-December back-to-back here in Chicago. I really need to upgrade to the Canon EOS R5 because I have been eyeing it forever but I was trying to hold out for a massive Black Friday drop. My budget is pretty tight though I really cant go over $2,600 maybe $2,700 if I skip eating for a week lol.
I have been scouring the web and I saw some rumors on a couple of forums saying that since the R5 Mark II is out now we should see the original R5 drop to like $2,200 or something crazy but honestly I am not seeing that anywhere yet. I checked Adorama and B&H and they just have these early deals that are basically the same price it has been for months which is super frustrating. Then I saw a post on Reddit claiming that some big box stores like Best Buy might have doorbusters but I dont want to wait until the actual day and then find out they are sold out in five minutes because I absolutely need this camera in my hands by the first week of December to get used to the settings and everything before these gigs start.
Is there like a secret list or a specific site that tracks the actual confirmed Canon drops? I read that some people get education discounts that stack with Black Friday but I am not a student anymore so that doesnt help me much. I am just worried that if I buy it now for the current price I am gonna see it for $500 less in three days and I will literally cry. Does anyone actually know if there are confirmed Black Friday deals for the R5 body specifically or should I just bite the bullet and buy a refurbished one from the Canon site right now before those sell out too?
Look, those rumors about $2,200 for a brand new unit are probably a total pipe dream unless its a gray market import. You definitely dont want to mess with those for professional wedding work because there is zero warranty support. There really isnt a secret list for these things either. If you are stressed about the price dropping right after you buy, check the price match policies at the big retailers. Most have extended holiday windows right now so they might refund the difference if it actually dips. Keep these practical costs in mind tho:
- Budget for high speed cards. You basically have to get a SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Type B Card because dual slots are a must for weddings.
- Buy at least one extra Canon LP-E6NH Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery because the R5 is a total power hog compared to DSLRs.
- Check the used Like New stock at MPB or KEH. Snagging a Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera Body there usually costs around $2,450 and they offer a warranty. Honestly, dont wait until the actual Friday. You need time to test the sensor and get your AF tracking settings dialed in before those Chicago gigs start. It is better to have the gear in hand than to save a tiny bit of extra cash and then miss a shot because you are still learning the menu system.
Honestly, I would suggest being really careful with those doorbuster rumors. Big box stores usually have such limited stock that its basically a lottery. You really cant afford to lose that gamble with those Chicago weddings coming up. I went through a similar panic a few years back when my main body failed right before a busy season and I spent every night refreshing pages just to end up paying full price last minute. It was a nightmare. If your budget is firm under $2,700, you might want to consider the Canon Refurbished EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera Body. Canons refurbished store is legendary for quality and they often hit that $2,300 range. If that is still too tight, check out the Canon EOS R6 Mark II 24.2MP Mirrorless Camera. It lacks the 45MP resolution, but the autofocus is stickier and it manages heat better than the R5 does.
Regarding what #2 said about "Look, those rumors about $2,200 for a brand..." - yeah, unfortunately those deep discounts on new gear just aren't showing up in the price data this year. It is honestly so disappointing how high the entry point still is for the R5 even with the Mark II finally shipping. For wedding work in Chicago, you really cant afford to gamble on a maybe deal that might not even arrive in time. I've had issues with the R5s thermal management during long ceremonies in the past, so if you are shooting heavy video, just keep that in mind. If your budget is stuck at $2,600, you might actually be happier with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II Body. It is well within your price range brand new and the autofocus tracking is actually a bit more reliable in low light than the original R5. But if you definitely need the 45 megapixels for cropping, check out MPB Canon EOS R5 Used listings right now. They usually have Excellent condition units that come with a 6-month warranty, which is way safer than a random eBay find. You would save enough to grab a fast Lexar Professional 2000x 128GB SDXC UHS-II Card for your second slot too. Just make sure you get whatever you choose soon... you really need time to map your custom buttons before those December gigs start.
Saw your post while I was scrolling earlier and honestly, waiting for a 2,200 dollar brand new R5 is a huge risk with those weddings coming up. I would suggest looking into the Canon Loyalty Program instead of waiting for a random doorbuster that might never ship in time. If you call their support line and give them the serial number of your dead body, they usually give you a massive discount on a Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera Body that beats most holiday sales anyway. A few things you will definitely need to budget for:
- Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery because the R5 drains them fast during long ceremonies.
- ProGrade Digital 160GB CFexpress Type B Cobalt for reliable buffer speeds.
- Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R if you still have your old EF lenses. Make sure to get your order in soon so you have time to stress-test the AF settings. Chicago weddings are no joke and you dont want to be learning a new menu system on the fly. You got this, just play it safe so you wont end up empty handed when the big day comes.
^ This. Also, check for trade-in loyalty programs at authorized dealers. I was in a similar spot last year and found that trading in some dusty old glass got me a much better deal on a new Canon EOS R5 than any Black Friday sale would have. I am super satisfied with how the transition went, everything just works well and I didnt have to fight crowds or refresh pages at midnight. Quick tip: if you still have your EF lenses from your old body, just grab the Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R instead of buying all new RF glass right away. It is rock solid and lets you put your budget toward the body itself. Honestly, with those Chicago weddings looming, the peace of mind is worth more than the gamble. Just get it now so you are not fumbling with settings while the bride is walking down the aisle... that stress is the worst.
Yep been there done that. Can confirm everything said above is spot on.
