I've been scouring the web for a good deal on a Sony 24-70mm GM II because my current kit lens just isnt cutting it for these weddings I've been booking lately. I saw that B&H has that EDU discount thing which looks great but honestly I graduated years ago so thats not gonna work for me. Then I saw people talking about Greentoe on a different thread but I'm kinda nervous about how that actually works and if the warranty is legit since they dont list the final price upfront. I really need to upgrade before a big shoot I have in mid-September.
- Budget is strictly under $1900 for the 24-70 or maybe like $1100 if I go for the 35mm prime instead.
- Needs to be US warranty stuff because I dont want to deal with gray market issues if the AF motor dies.
- Shipping to Oregon so at least I save on tax but I still need a solid base price drop.
I checked Adorama too but they just have the standard MSRP right now. Is there some secret seasonal sale I'm missing? Or maybe a specific refurb site that Sony actually trusts? I've seen open box at Best Buy but they look pretty beat up usually... where are you guys finding the actual steals lately?
I remember hunting for the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II last year before a huge desert shoot. I was obsessed with the MTF charts and that new XD linear motor system, but the price was steep. I ended up trying Greentoe despite having the same nerves you mentioned. Basically, they connect you with authorized US dealers who have excess inventory. I put in a bid for a Sony Alpha 7R V Mirrorless Camera and a lens combo and got it accepted within two hours. Since the invoice comes from an actual authorized shop, the Sony registration and warranty went through perfectly without any gray market drama. For your specific budget and mid-September timeline, here is what I have seen work well:
- Sony Second Focus is their official refurb site. Its usually got the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II for around $1850 when in stock. The glass is checked by Sony techs so the element alignment is usually better than a random open box from a big box store.
- B&H Used department often has Rating 9 or 10 gear. I snagged a Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM there once that was basically brand new and it saved me about $200 off MSRP.
- LensRentals sells their retired stock through a site called Keeper. They are very transparent about glass condition and they actually provide test data on the autofocus performance which is cool for nerds like us. The 24-70 II is a massive jump over the mark I because of the four XD linear motors. The focus tracking is way stickier for those walking down the aisle shots at weddings. If you cant find the zoom under $1900 soon, that 35mm prime is a beast for low light anyway...
