Where are people finding the best deals on mirrorless bodies right now? Ive been shooting on a beat-up DSLR for ages and I think its finally time to make the jump to mirrorless for my street photography. Im based in the states and have about 1500 to spend on a body and a decent prime lens. Ive checked the usual suspects like B&H and Adorama but havent seen anything that really pops yet. Im hoping to pull the trigger before a trip to Chicago next month so I can get used to the autofocus system before I leave. Are there any hidden gems or sites I should be stalking?
To add to the point above: checking the used market is basically a gold mine if you know where to look. I personally swear by MPB or KEH for bodies because they rate gear so conservatively. I picked up a Fujifilm X-T4 26.1MP APS-C Mirrorless a while back that was listed as 'well-used' but arrived looking practically brand new! It saved me enough cash to grab a Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR Prime Lens which is just perfect for street stuff.
- Check the 'deals' pages on MPB daily, they refresh fast.
- Look for open-box items at local camera shops.
- Dont sleep on eBay if you check seller feedback first. Seriously, moving to mirrorless changed my entire workflow. Youre gonna love the eye-tracking AF when you hit the Chicago streets!
@Reply #2 - good point! Honestly, I couldnt agree more about the used market. I actually grabbed my Sony Alpha a6400 24.2MP APS-C Mirrorless from a local listing and saved so much cash. It made getting a sharp Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens way easier for my budget! Just check shutter counts before you pay. Youll be set for Chicago in no time!
Honestly, buying new can be a headache when youre on a budget. I was in your shoes last year and honestly felt frustrated until I started looking at the official refurbished sections on major retailer sites. My current setup came from one of those programs and it looks and functions like it just left the factory. No complaints here, saved a ton of cash which I put toward a better lens.
