Im trying to upgrade my old gear because my kids high school basketball season starts in like three weeks and my current setup just isnt cutting it for those dark gym lights. I've been looking at the Canon 90D which seems perfect for the speed but man the price is still pretty high for a DSLR even with everyone moving to mirrorless. Im also looking at a used Rebel T7i just to save some cash but I worry the autofocus wont keep up with the game. My budget is pretty firm at $850 because I also need to grab a decent lens and being in Oregon I dont have to worry about sales tax which is nice.
Ive been scouting a few places:
- Canon Direct Refurbished (always out of stock)
- B&H Used section (kinda pricey)
- Adorama open box
The B&H one is a Grade 9 for like $950 but thats pushing my limit and I still need glass. Is there some secret spot I'm missing for better deals? Like maybe some specific outlet or a time of week when the big stores drop their prices? Im torn between just biting the bullet on the B&H one or holding out for a better refurbished deal but the clock is ticking for the first game. Where do you guys usually go to find the absolute lowest prices on these older Canon bodies right now?
^ This. Also, used marketplaces are your only real shot since the refurb store is a joke lately. Unfortunately, that Canon EOS 90D 32.5MP DSLR usually eats your whole budget, leaving nothing for the glass you need. I've had issues with the T7i autofocus in dark gyms... it's just not as good as expected. Maybe look for a Canon EOS 80D 24.2MP DSLR to save enough for a decent lens.
im super satisfied going the pro route for sports.
- Found a Canon EOS 7D Mark II 20.2MP DSLR used
- Paired with Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens AF speed is incredible for basketball.
Honestly, i wouldnt risk a random ebay seller for something like basketball season where timing is everything. If you want peace of mind, you should definitely check out MPB or KEH. They actually inspect their gear and provide a six-month warranty, which is way safer than gambling on a private sale and finding out the shutter is dying during the first quarter. B&H is great but they do charge a bit more for that reputation. The Canon EOS 90D 32.5MP DSLR is definitely the goal for sports, but fitting that and a lens into $850 is gonna be tough. You might want to consider the Canon EOS 80D 24.2MP DSLR as a more conservative middle ground. It is significantly more reliable for fast action than a T7i but usually leaves you with about $350 for a lens. In those dark gyms, you are really gonna need a fast aperture to keep your shutter speed up. If you go with the 80D, you could probably afford a used Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM or even an older Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM. I usually refresh the Canon Refurbished page around 8 or 9 AM EST because thats when the stock usually updates, but it is super hit or miss. Stick to the sites with solid return policies... it is just not worth the stress otherwise.
@Reply #2 - good point! though i gotta say, i am way more cautious when it comes to picking up older gear for sports like basketball. i learned this the hard way a few years back and it was honestly a disaster.
- i once bought a body that looked perfect in photos but the internal shutter was basically on its last legs. it ended up seizing right during a fast break in the second half and i missed the whole game.
- make sure to ask for the shutter count if you buy from a person. folks who shoot sports tend to hammer their gear and hit six figures on the shutter count really fast.
- i would suggest looking at local groups where you can actually hold the camera first. i found my current setup from a local guy who just used it for family trips, so it was way more reliable than the heavily used stuff i saw on the big sites.
- be careful and test the burst mode for a bit before you commit. if it sounds even slightly off, just walk away. having something that wont fail mid-season is worth more than a slight discount imo.
