To add to the point above: refurb is great, but dont sleep on the Nikon Z 5 24.3MP Mirrorless Camera Body if you want to save huge chunks of change for lenses. Honestly, for most travel stuff, you wont even notice the difference from a Z6ii. I've used both and the Z5 is a total sleeper. Pair it with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S Lens and you've got a killer travel setup well under that 1900 limit.

Honestly, if youre looking for sales before a trip next month, its gonna be a bit tight. Nikon usually cycles their big rebates every few months, but prices are super sticky right now. You might want to consider checking the official Nikon refurbished store first. A Nikon Z6 II 24.5MP Mirrorless Body often drops well under your $1900 limit there. I would suggest being super careful with trying to squeeze a Nikon Z7 II 45.7MP Mirrorless Body into that budget tho... even on sale it usually stays north of $2,200. If you absolutely need it for your trip, maybe check reputable used sites like MPB instead of waiting for a retail drop. Just make sure to verify the shutter count and sensor condition. Ngl, the Z6ii is technically better in low light anyway... might be the smarter play for travel.

It's honestly just exhausting how prices for the Nikon Z6 II Body Only wont budge lately. I had some major issues with a unit recently and the whole experience was just not as good as expected.

• gray market imports have zero factory warranty support
• used sensors often have hidden damage or dead pixels
• shipping delays before a trip are a complete disaster It's a total mess right now...

Jumping in here because I love a good bargain! If youre worried about reliability but need to stay under 1900 for your trip, you should definitely check out these spots:

• The B&H Photo used department is amazing. They rate their gear super strictly so you dont have to worry about getting a dud. I got an open box deal there that looked brand new!
• Grab a Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 Lens for your trip. Its super cheap, tiny, and the image quality is fantastic for street shots!
• Instead of the expensive Nikon glass, the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for Nikon Z is a total game changer and way more budget friendly.
• Check out the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR Lens as a single-lens solution. It saves a ton of money versus buying multiple lenses for travel. Honestly, going used through a reputable dealer is the best way to get that Z6ii under budget right now without taking huge risks. Good luck with the trip!

Man I wish I found this thread sooner. Would have saved me so much hassle.

Unfortunately, the rebate cycles have been incredibly inconsistent lately, and it is honestly quite disappointing to see Nikon maintain these high MSRP levels for hardware that is technically aging. I have been tracking the price-to-performance data across several enthusiast databases and the value proposition just isnt as good as expected compared to previous product launches. If you are handling your own gear prep and sensor calibration before the trip, I suggest referencing the sensor data at Photons to Photos to see if the higher-end sensor actually provides the dynamic range shift you need. Before you drop that much cash, what specific technical specs are pushing you toward the more expensive body tho? Are you primarily looking for the increased megapixels for large-scale printing, or is the dual processor speed for autofocus the main factor? Knowing those technical requirements would help determine if the current price premium is even justified for your workflow.