Yeah, I totally agree that hitting that $3,000 price point is gonna be the biggest challenge right now. I’ve been using Canon gear for decades and honestly, the Mark II is such a solid long-term investment, but because it's still so 'new' in the cycle, people aren't offloading them cheap yet. Not sure but I think I heard a few folks over on the Facebook groups mention prices might stabilize once the next big body announcement happens. From my experience owning one since launch:
* Check the rubber on the card door; it tends to show wear first if someone’s been swapping media constantly.
* Make sure it comes with the LP-E6P battery—the older ones work but you lose some of the high-end features like the pre-continuous burst.
* Keep an eye on the hot shoe; the new multi-function design can be a bit more sensitive if it's been banged around by a previous pro owner. Iirc, some of the local dedicated camera shops sometimes have better 'under the counter' deals than the big online retailers. Tbh, if u can find one for 3k that isn't totally beat up, jump on it immediately!

100% agree

Yeah, I totally agree that the price is the biggest hurdle right now, but there is a major technical aspect people often overlook when hunting for a used Canon EOS R5 Mark II at a discount. You really need to account for the ecosystem compatibility costs that come with the Mark II architecture. Specifically, you need to verify the battery situation. This body requires the LP-E6P high-discharge battery to access the full feature set. If a used seller is swapping it for older LP-E6NH or standard LP-E6 packs to save money, you will lose access to:

• Pre-continuous shooting modes
• Maximum frame rates in electronic shutter
• Several high-bitrate video codecs
• In-camera networking features Also, check the condition of the contacts for the new multi-function shoe. Unlike the old hotshoe, this one has a 21-pin digital interface that is quite sensitive to misalignment or corrosion. If the previous owner used non-weather-sealed accessories, you could face communication errors with the newer speedlites or XLR adapters. Honestly, unless the used unit is pristine and includes the correct P-series battery, that three thousand dollar budget might end up costing you much more in peripheral upgrades just to make the camera function as advertised.

Hey! I actually grabbed mine from KEH Camera. Be careful about shutter count; ask *specifically* for that info. I'd suggest budgeting for a professional cleaning afterward, just to be safe. Great camera, though!

Honestly, finding an R5 Mark II used for $3k will be tough. Unfortunately, I've had issues with used camera deals online. Consider a *slightly* used R5 (original). You'll save a ton and image quality is not as good as Mark II but not far off. Expect to pay around $2500. Put the savings towards better lenses – that's where you'll see bigger gains.

Before you buy used, check the shutter count! High counts on R5 Mark IIs can mean expensive repairs. Maybe consider a refurb R5 instead; often cheaper, similar performance.

Heard good things about KEH, but with cameras, personally, I'd prioritize reputable sellers like B&H's used dept. Peace of mind is worth a little extra. Check their return policies *carefully* – crucial for electronics. Wouldn't want to end up with a lemon!

Consider Sony Alpha. Canon holds value; $3000 might limit options. Check long-term reliability data first.