Honestly, try Greentoe for the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II. Over the years I've found it the safest way to find deals without getting scammed by sketchy sellers.

Saw this earlier but just now getting a chance to reply. @Reply #1 - good point! but Greentoe shipping speed is sometimes a gamble when you have a gig next week. Quick question... are you strictly looking for brand new glass, or would a certified used copy work for you? Unfortunately, the market for the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II is pretty rough. Most deals under MSRP are usually gray market imports without a US warranty. I had issues with a gray market lens once and it was a nightmare to get serviced when the AF motor acted up. Its not as good as expected when you realize you are basically unprotected if something breaks on set.

• Try MPB Sony E-mount Used Inventory for a used copy. They actually inspect gear and provide a warranty which is safer than eBay.
• The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art for Sony E is a solid alternative if the Sony stays out of reach. AF is fast and it fits your budget better.

You gotta check Focus Camera or B&H EDU pricing right now! I saved a massive amount on my Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II by using an old student email.

• Look for Focus Camera discount bundles
• Check B&H EDU pricing with a student ID
• Call smaller shops for unadvertised deals The EDU discount is amazing for staying under that 2k limit! I dont think you can beat it. Good luck with the Philly gig!

Re: "🙌" - honestly, prices on that glass are just depressing lately. Unfortunately, I had issues finding any decent stock and it's not as good as expected trying to stay under $2k. You might want to try:

• Looking for an open-box Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II at Best Buy stores near Philly.
• Checking ShareGrid for local pros selling their kits.
• Picking up a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 as a stop-gap. Last time I was in Philly for a job, I got so distracted by the food that I almost missed the golden hour. I spent like forty minutes in line for a sandwich and then had to sprint three blocks with all my gear rattling in my bag. I thought for sure I'd broken something, but luckily everything survived. It was a total mess tbh. anyway but yeah, good luck with the search.

To add to the point above: I have spent way too much time over the years tracking MTF charts and autofocus consistency data just to realize that the most important spec is actually reliability. I once tried to cut corners on a fast zoom for a big corporate project and it nearly ruined my reputation.

• The unit I bought was a 'too good to be true' price and arrived with a sticky zoom ring.
• It turned out to be a gray market import which meant the official service center wouldnt touch it for repairs.
• I had to rent a backup at the last minute anyway, which ended up costing more than the savings. Looking back, I realized that getting gear from a verified source with a rock-solid return policy is the only way to go for pro work. I dont care how much I save if the glass might fail me during the shoot... losing a client is way more expensive than paying for a legitimate copy.

Did this last week, worked perfectly

🙌