Ive been shooting with my trusty DSLR for years but the shutter mechanism is finally giving out on me. I need to upgrade to a mirrorless setup before my trip to Iceland in three weeks and honestly the prices are killing me. I looked at B&H and Adorama but the bundle deals seem kind of hit or miss lately. Im looking to drop around 2k max for a body and a decent 24-70mm glass combo. Are there any retailers that actually do legit discounts on kits or am I better off just piecing it together on the used market? My logic was that a bundle might save me a few hundred bucks but I dont want to end up with garbage kit lenses... anyone know who has the best sales right now?
Stay away from those cheap bundles. You should get a Sony A7C II Mirrorless Camera and a solid Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art Lens separately for better quality.
Honestly, 2k is a tight budget for a full frame setup if you want quality glass, but it is doable if you look at the right places. Like someone mentioned, the bundles at big retailers are usually just fillers to move units. Personally, I would skip the bundles entirely and grab a used Panasonic Lumix S5 II 24.2MP Mirrorless Camera and pair it with a used Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens. That combo is a tank and will survive the harsh weather in Iceland way better than entry-level gear. Check KEH or MPB for these. They offer a warranty on used gear, which gives me a lot more peace of mind than buying from some random listing on social media. You really dont want your gear failing in the middle of a glacier, so sticking to reputable used dealers is the safest bet to stay under budget.
Honestly, buying a bundle is a trap because the glass is usually entry-level. If you want a sharp 24-70mm range on a 2k budget, look at the Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Camera 40MP Sensor paired with the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR Lens. The crop factor gives you great reach for Iceland landscapes. I am super satisfied with that combo for travel. Check the open-box section on MPB for the best deals.
