Im trying to upgrade my setup before a big trip to Iceland in October, so Im working with a pretty strict timeline. My max budget is around $1500 for a body and a decent zoom lens. Right now Im torn between waiting for Black Friday deals in late November or pulling the trigger during the summer sales happening right now. Is the wait actually worth the savings for camera gear or do prices usually stay pretty flat until the holidays?
- Need weather sealing for rainy conditions
- Budget capped at $1500 total
- Trip is in October so buying in November is too late
> Trip is in October so buying in November is too late Waiting for late November sales will not work since your departure is scheduled for October. Unfortunately, holiday discounts arrive too late for your timeline, meaning summer sales are your only viable window for savings. For a weather sealed setup under fifteen hundred dollars, you cant rely on consumer bodies that fail in heavy rain. I had issues with moisture ingress on cheaper gear during wet shoots. Instead, look at the Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera Body paired with the Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens, or check out a used Fujifilm X-T3 Mirrorless Camera Body with a weather resistant zoom. Iceland weather is brutal, and skipping proper sealing risks a ruined trip.
Since November is out of the question for your timeline, definitely look at summer promos and certified used gear. I grabbed a Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera body last year right before a wet trip and saved enough to get some extra batteries. Weather sealing is a lifesaver in Iceland tbh, so prioritize that over brand new box status. Check out MPB or KEH for deals right now.
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