Like someone mentioned, that 1500 price point for a brand new Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Camera Body is kinda like chasing a unicorn right now. I'm actually really satisfied with how Fuji holds its value, even if it hurts the wallet sometimes! I'd politely disagree with waiting for a last-minute sale tho... weddings are high stakes and you dont want to be scrambling Friday night. If you're dead set on that budget:

• Check for a used Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Digital Camera on sites like MPB or KEH. They usually have Like New ones around 1480.
• Grab a Fujifilm X-H2 Mirrorless Camera Body used instead if you need that 40mp sensor for the Chicago shoot.
• Rent the body for the wedding weekend and buy your own when the price actually drops later this summer. Honestly, I've had zero complaints with my T5 since launch day, it works well in every situation. Just dont let the panic lead to a bad purchase!

Hey, ngl that price for the Fujifilm X-T5 Digital Camera Body Only has been stubborn lately. I just checked a few price trackers and that 1500 mark hasn't hit any of the big retailers like B&H or Adorama today. Fuji is usually pretty strict with their pricing during these seasonal windows, so if it hasnt dropped yet, it might stay put for a while. Since you're shooting a wedding in Chicago, you definitely want that 40MP sensor and the IBIS for low light church shots. If the X-T5 is too pricey, you might look for a used deal on the Fujifilm X-H2 Mirrorless Camera Body 40MP. It shares the same internals but has the PASM dial and a beefier grip which some wedding shooters actually prefer for long days. Sometimes open-box units go for right around your 1500 limit if you hunt around. Honestly tho, buying a brand new body right before a major wedding is stressful as hell. Quick tip: just rent the gear for the weekend. Itll cost way less than the price gap you're looking at, and it buys you time to wait for a real sale later this year. Chicago has some solid rental houses that might even have a Fujifilm X-T5 Digital Camera Body Silver ready to go. Don't let the gear panic ruin your focus for the shoot... happens to the best of us. Just focus on the wedding and grab the gear once the price actually dips.

Tbh I havent seen a drop to 1500 for the Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Body Black lately. I once had a camera die mid-vow at a wedding, total nightmare. You might want to consider a used Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless Body Black for the dual slots or even the Fujifilm X-S20 Mirrorless Body for the AF. X-T4 is cheaper but heavier, while X-S20 has better video but lacks those vintage dials. Be careful rushing a purchase tho...

Honestly im in the exact same boat and its driving me crazy. In all my years of shooting Fuji, i have never seen them be this stingy with a price drop during a supposed promo period. I have been dealing with this for like a week now because my secondary body is on its last legs and i just cant justify paying 1699 when the rumors said it would hit 1500 by now.

• checking every major retailer every single hour
• hunting for discount codes that dont actually work
• watching my shopping cart stay way out of reach Its so frustrating when the rumors point one way but the checkout pages point another. Over the years ive seen some weird pricing moves, but this one is really testing my patience... im just as stuck as you are right now and really wish someone had a real lead.

Coming back to this... I totally get the stress, shooting a wedding on a dying body is a literal nightmare. Quick question tho, are you already heavily invested in Fuji glass? Just curious because if you're not 100% locked in, you might find better deals elsewhere for that 1500 price point. I've been super satisfied with my Fuji gear lately but honestly their prices are so stubborn. If you're open to a brand comparison, something like the Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Camera or even a Nikon Z6 II Body might fit your budget better right now and they're total workhorses for weddings. Quick tip: if the price doesnt drop by Monday, just rent a body for the Chicago shoot. It takes the pressure off and ensures you have working gear without the last-minute panic buy. Much safer that way.