fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

Yours is pretty much the budget I had last year when I upgraded from a 10-year-old Canon Rebel. Prior to that, I had a Nikkormat 35mm film camera. I opted for the Nikon D5500 over the D7200 so I could put a little more money into a decent lens...something highly recommended by UHHers. I am very, very glad I chose to do so and highly recommend you do the same. Either the Nikon or Canon you mention will be more than acceptable...again, at UHH advice, handle each camera and see which is more comfortable, which has the better button layout, etc. I would add that I never believed in buying used equipment, especially something like a camera, but UHH advice has always been good and the majority see nothing wrong with buying a "better" refurbished model like the D7200. Just make sure that the refurbished product has all the programming and features you would want from a new version.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Too bad you didn't shop for camera gear during the Christmas holiday season. Those holiday season sales are now over. You could have saved $100-$200 on select brand new, not refurbished, Canon and Nikon crop sensor gear. Bundles, individual lenses, and camera bodies too. Now the prices are back to regular. When you snooze, you lose.

Idaho

A 2.8 lens is something you really need for the indoor sports work although you don't have the budget for. Because of your budget a single lens may have to work for now such as a long range zoom like 28-300 or so. You may want to pick the lens before the camera make. I like the refurbished idea, also. Staying within your budget will not give you the ideal package by any means but you'll be able live with it. In time you'll be able to upgrade as you can budget more.

Keep in mind that a good quality lens can last through several camera upgrades over the years.

jackinkc Loc: Kansas City

I enthusiastically echo the KEH recommendation.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Welcome, check Canon Direct, many good deals on guaranteed refurbs, with lenses, Bob.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

Opt or the used through a reputable dealer like KEH, or better still but slightly more money, a factory Referbished camera and lens. Above all, go to a store and handle all of them and asses your needs vs wants. I shoot both crop frame Sony a6000 and full frame Sony a99ll. But if I were to only pick one, it would be the a6000. I teach photography at the college level so I get to see all the brands. They are all very good. Just like cars, each one is a little different, so go for the one that fits your needs. You wouldn't buy a corvette to haul your wife and 2.5 kids around just because the price was right and it's a cool car. Take your time. Do your homework. Be sure to go to a photo class after you have made your purchases. A little one-on-one education goes a long way. Happy Shooting

IDguy Loc: Idaho

OK, here’s my anti D7xxx pitch. Note that it has many advocates and certainly has pluses. The one plus I like about it relative to the D5xxx line is that it has a nicer viewfinder.

But I much prefer the D5xxx line because of the lighter weight, fully articulated LCD, and elegant control approach. Note that many D7xxx users in particular misunderstand the D5xxx contol approach. They talk about controlling D5xxxs using menus. That is not how they work.

Prior to the latest D7500 you control D7xxxs with a bunch of randomly placed unlighted buttons using a little green screen on the top of the camera. I couldn’t form finger memory for the buttons and found the little green screen unreadable without reading glasses.

You control the D5xxxs using the Info screen on the big LCD. I find that much simpler and usable in the dark. The D7xxxs (prior to D7500 anyway) also have an Info screen but the content differs and it is not active for the frequently accessed controls (ISO, f-stop, and shutter speed).

The D5600 and D7500 have touch screens. If the D7500 touch screen now uses an effective active layout that might resolve my control issue. But it is out of your price range.

BTW I later found a partial workaround for my D800, which has controls like the D7xxx. You can avoid the little green screen by turning on the LCD BEFORE pushing a button and thereby get a readable control. But you have to still find the unlighted button. (They finally light the buttons on the D500...but it is well out of your price range.)

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Of late, Cameta Camera has been my source for refurbished equipment because they usually have a fairly extensive list. The other thing I like about them is that they worked with me on pricing for a trade/purchase deal. Others have said with their refurbished products, they can sometimes work a deal when putting together a bundle that works for you. Worth checking out!

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I used a Canon 1D MkIII and the Canon 85mm f/1.8 lens for lots of sports with indoors and outdoors and the 85mm is a great portrait lens. The 1D MkIII is a APS-H sensor with a 1.3x crop factor. That gives the 85mm a Field of View like a 110mm lens. It is built like a tank and will shoot 10 FPS. The other Canon body that would be OK for sports action and in your price range would be the 7D which is an APS-C crop sensor camera with a 1.6x crop factor.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

I started with a Canon T5i kit with two lenses in 2014. It's been great. You can do a lot with the included lenses and you are new to this. Shoot enough to get better and as you do you will clearly recognize limitations and invest in lenses you need to address it, later. For now, for less then $1000 you are on the right track. If you can find an 80D kit with lenses, in your budget, you will be much better off than with that T6i

ecurb1105

Look for a refurbished D7200 and a 35mm f1.8 to start with.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

Why would he be much better off with the 80d then the T6i?

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

interesting question, personally I didn't see any advantage for myself but I would like to hear another opinion.

ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

Because it is a better camera
http://cameradecision.com/compare/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T6i-vs-Canon-EOS-80D

7 fps vs 5
higher max iso
45 vs 19 focus points all cross type
100% viewfinder coverage vs 95%
battery 960 shots vs 440
headphone port vs none
timelapse vs none
dynamic range 13.2 vs 12
low light 1135 vs 919
top lcd

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Perhaps better build quality in the 80D, but I am not sure it fits in the budget unless it is used or refurb...