looking to purchase my first DSLR camera to take pictures of my sons sporting events

[tamr0813]

Mainly basketball and football.  Not looking to spend much over $1000.  Also best place to purchase.  I need all the help I can get!

[diverhank]

Any Rebel series camera will do just fine at this task.  For sports, especially football,  you will likely need a telephoto zoom lens like a 70-300mm in addition to the standard kit lens (e.g. 18-55mm).  There are many kits available that will include two lenses.  For your price range, I'd recommend either a T3i, T4i or T5i.

I usually shop online (B&H and Amazon).  For things that I'd like to touch and feel, Costco can't be beat.  They give you an extra year worth of warranty for your purchase.

[cicopo]

Is the basketball indoors or outdoors? Also is the football primarily played during the day or are there evening games in less than ideal light? Makes a big difference on lens recommendations.

[tamr0813]

Basketball indoors.  football evening/night, and morning.

[cicopo]

Indoors & low light demands what's known as "fast glass" meaning lenses which have large apertures (light path to the sensor) & they are expensive compared to consumer grade lenses. You will most likely need a lens like the 70-200 f 2.8 L to get good results at the indoor & night games along with using a high ISO setting to freeze the action. Even with a crop body that may be a bit short on the football field but anything longer & fast is really expensive.

[ebiggs1]

Certainly not at the $1000 price point you required but the absolute best buy in the DSLR world today is the Canon 7D with a Sigma 50-150mm f2.8 EX DC. This set-up is awesome. My second choice which would get you closer but still not a a grand is a Rebel T4i with the same lens. Maybe you could get one at a time. You won't be disappointed.

[tamr0813]

I'm half way there - purchased a canon 60D today!

[mel-lyn]

Not sure if you are still looking, but I just bought one on QVC.  The EOS 60D at an amazing price.  Its today's Special Value and will prolly sell out.  So move quick

[tamr0813]

That is the one I bought today!! Seemed like a great deal so I went for it - can't wait to see how clueless I am when it arrives at my house!!

[cicopo]

In anticipation of it's arrival you might want to download the manual from Canon Support & Drivers.

http://usa.canon.com/cusa/support

You might also find my reply here helpful

http://forums.usa.canon.com/t5/PowerShot/SX280HS-do-auto-settings-give-best-results-w-o-adjusting/m-...

And although wrote for my R/C friends most of the info applies to sports too.

http://www.rccanada.ca/rccforum/showthread.php?t=147971