Need suggestion on Black Friday deals for Fuji lenses?

tbh i always get a bit skeptical during these sales because a good price doesnt always mean itll actually perform when you need it - i’ve spent way too much time doing my own side-by-side testing on various primes lately. iirc, i read somewhere that some of the deeper discounts might be on the older glass that lacks the newer AF motors, which is a huge deal if you’re doing any kind of tracking. a few things i usually look for when i’m testing a potential 'deal':
- edge-to-edge sharpness when shooting wide open (some older glass gets super mushy)
- how the AF holds up in low-contrast situations - nothing worse than a lens hunting forever
- flare resistance when shooting into the sun - some coatings are definitely better than others not 100% sure if the 'LM' versions are gonna be part of the BF drops this year, but if they are, thats where the real performance jump is. honestly, id rather pay a bit more for something that actually hits focus 99% of the time than save a few hundred on something that misses the shot.

Honestly, I’ve been shooting with Fuji for a few years now and I’ve learned that Black Friday can be a bit of a trap if you aren't super careful. I used to just grab whatever had the biggest discount, but I found out the hard way that a lens isn't really a 'deal' if it just sits in your drawer because it doesn’t fit your workflow. I bought a fast prime a few years back during a sale, but it was way heavier than I expected, and I was always paranoid about the autofocus motor wearing out or something since it felt a bit 'loud' compared to my others... maybe I'm just being too cautious though haha. Basically, I’ve realized that long-term reliability matters way more to me than saving an extra fifty bucks in the moment. Just to get a better idea of what might actually last you a long time, what kind of focal length are you mainly looking for? Also, are you planning on shooting outdoors in rougher weather? Tbh, I always look for weather sealing now just for the peace of mind, even if it costs a bit more upfront.

Forget new! Check KEH.com. I snagged a mint Fuji 35mm f/2 for $300 last year. Excellent glass, and leaves budget for another!

Consider the Sigma 56mm f/1.4. Chromatic aberration is impressively low; fantastic sharpness for $400!

Refurbished might be your friend. KEH often has Fuji primes under $800. Check condition ratings carefully.

Black Friday lens deals are tough. I'd check Tamron; sometimes they undercut Fuji's prime lens prices. I got one last year for around $500, decent quality for the price.

Hey! Haven't seen prime lens deals yet, but before you jump, remember to factor in a good lens hood. Glare can be dangerous, especially driving at dusk! I grabbed a cheapo hood on Amazon for like $15 that works well enough. Maybe wait and see if Fuji's own hood goes on sale? Better safe than sorry, right?