You can check deals at Amazon, B&H Photo Video, Adorama.

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

Building on the earlier suggestion, I have to admit my experience with these major sales has been pretty disappointing. Unfortunately, I ran into some major quality control issues with gear I picked up during a previous holiday event. It seemed like a steal at the time, but the copy I received had soft edges that were immediately obvious. It was a huge hassle trying to get a replacement since everything was backordered from the sale volume, and I ended up missing a shoot because of it. I learned the hard way that the deepest discounts can sometimes be a bit of a gamble. My current setup is now built mostly from gear I purchased at regular prices or through more reliable channels because I value consistency over a quick bargain. Its just not as good as expected when you find yourself fighting with equipment that should have worked perfectly out of the box. Just be cautious that you arent trading long-term reliability for a temporary price drop, because the frustration of a bad copy stays with you way longer than the initial savings do.

Hey there! I totally get the lens upgrade itch. I was in the same boat last year. I ended up going with the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2. I know it's not Sony brand, but honestly, I've been really happy with it. I got it for around $850 on sale last November from a reputable dealer (B&H Photo). It works well for both portraits and landscapes, and I have no complaints for the price. I was also looking at the 24-70mm GM, but the Tamron freed up more budget for other gear. Maybe check that one out? It’s worth looking at all of your options so you don't overspend. Hope this helps!

Hey! Upgrading glass is exciting! While the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2 is great (as the other commenter mentioned), have you considered going wider for landscapes? For around $800-$1000 used, the Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS gives you incredible landscape capability and surprisingly good portraits, especially stopped down a bit. Plus, Optical SteadyShot is a lifesaver. I grabbed one a few years back for travel, and it's super versatile. Might be worth checking out alongside those 24-70mm deals! Let me know if you want some sample shots. I'm happy to share what I've got. Good luck!

Hey! Everyone's throwing out lens ideas, which is awesome, but let's talk *safe* Black Friday shopping! I'm always nervous about scams this time of year. Instead of chasing the absolute lowest price, I'd stick with authorized dealers like B&H or Adorama. Yeah, maybe you'll pay $50-$100 more on a lens like the Sony 35mm f/1.8 (street price around $750-ish), but you know you're getting a legit warranty and not some gray market headache. Plus, their return policies are fantastic if you don't love it! I got burned once buying "cheap" camera gear – never again! Peace of mind is worth the extra few bucks, especially heading into the holidays!

Hey there! Black Friday lens hunting can be a real rollercoaster, I feel you. Everyone's recommending fast zooms, which are great, but if budget's a primary concern, don't overlook the fantastic prime lens options Sony offers. Specifically, have you considered the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8?

I know it's *another* recommendation, but hear me out. You can usually snag one new for around $700-$750 during sales, and even cheaper used. It's incredibly sharp, lightweight, and the f/1.8 aperture gives you that beautiful bokeh for portraits while being wide enough for decent landscapes – especially if you're willing to stitch a panorama or two. I actually picked one up last year *instead* of a zoom because I realized I was spending more time lugging around a heavy lens than actually taking pictures!

Plus, think about this: that extra $800 you save *now* can go towards other gear like filters, a better tripod, or even a photography workshop. Speaking of pinching pennies, I'm currently running my tires down to 3/32" tread depth because I'm saving up for a new lens myself! It's all about prioritizing, right?

Just a thought! It really depends on your shooting style, but the 35mm f/1.8 offers incredible value for money and amazing image quality. Don't get blinded by the zoom lens hype! Let me know if you have any questions about using primes for landscapes, I've got some tips I've picked up along the way.

Hey! So, everyone's giving great lens suggestions, but let's zoom out (pun intended!) and look at the *bigger picture* of Black Friday deals. Forget just Sony for a sec. In my experience, and I've been watching this market for a few years now, the *best* deals often aren't on Sony's top-tier G Master lenses, but on Sigma or Tamron alternatives. They get aggressively discounted to compete.

For example, keep a close eye on the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art. It's a fantastic lens, often goes on sale for around $1100-$1200 during Black Friday, and optically it's *very* close to the Sony GM. I saw it for $1099 last year at B&H Photo. Another one to watch is the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2, which folks have already mentioned, but *pay attention to authorized dealers*. Gray market stuff *is* a real concern, so stick to places like B&H, Adorama, or even Amazon (but only if it's shipped and sold by Amazon directly).

Don't get tunnel vision on one lens! Broaden your search, compare prices across brands, and you might be surprised at what you find. Good luck, and happy hunting!

Hey! Everyone's throwing around lens models, which is cool, but has anyone considered *renting* before buying? Seriously, for $1500, you could rent some seriously sweet glass for a good chunk of time. Think Lensrentals.com or BorrowLenses. I rented a 24-70 GM for a week last year for around $150, and that helped me decide if it was *really* worth the price. Also, keep an eye on used gear at KEH Camera or MPB. You can often find great deals there, and they usually have solid return policies if you're not happy. Might save you from Black Friday hype regret!

Hey there fellow Sony fan! I totally get the GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), especially around Black Friday. Everyone's throwing out great lens models, but let me offer a slightly different angle – thinking long-term ownership and potentially saving you some headaches down the road.

While the 24-70mm f/2.8 GM is drool-worthy (I've rented it!), I think you're smart to consider alternatives given your budget. Instead of chasing the *perfect* lens right now, have you thought about building a solid prime lens collection over time? It might seem counterintuitive, but hear me out.

I actually went the zoom route initially, splurging on a used Sony 24-105mm f/4 G OSS a few years back for around $900. It was decent for versatility, but I always felt like I was compromising on image quality, especially in low light. Plus, it's HUGE and HEAVY. After about a year, I started swapping it out for primes. I picked up a used Sony 35mm f/1.8 for around $400, and a Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 for around $350. The difference in sharpness and bokeh was night and day!

Unfortunately, the Rokinon gave me some focusing issues after about a year, so I ended up replacing it with a used Sony 85mm f/1.8 for $500. While that hurt the wallet, the autofocus performance alone was worth it. Moral of the story? Sometimes, buying *slightly* cheaper, but still excellent, primes lets you build a more versatile and higher-quality kit in the long run. Plus, prime lenses generally hold their value better than zooms.

Look for deals on the Sony 35mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.8, or 85mm f/1.8. You can often find them used in excellent condition for well under your $1500 budget, leaving you with cash for accessories or even another lens down the line. Good luck with the hunt, and let me know if you have any questions about specific primes! I'm happy to share my experiences. Happy shooting!