Canon Rumors states that a 24-70 f/2.8 L IS may be coming soon. IF this happens, the 24-70 II should come down in price. Either way, I would buy new. The last 4 lenses and the last 3 cameras I have were bought new. Just my preference. I keep all the boxes and paper work, so if you decide to sell them you have everything they came with,which makes resale better.

https://www.canonrumors.com/?s=24-70&_xfToken=1568807407%2Cc3ffd1c1c7044553e651511306f59934

The EOS RP RAW files use a CR3 extension, vs. CR2 extension for other Canon cameras. I assume the R does the same. You may need updated software.

The 7D MII is a very good camera. It was built for sports as a "cropped Sensor" semi professional camera. However, it has been out for a while, September 2014. 5 years is considered a long time in the camera arena. I'd go for the 90D, or for nearly the same price look at the EOS RP Mirrorless Camera. It has the newest Digic 8 Processor as well.

I'm not sure how this article will make us all better photographers, but at the risk of being admonished I will give my opinion. I believe Nikon and Canon are the world leaders in Photography equipment and in the development of that equipment. Sony, Pentax, Fuji and others are close but not at the scale of Nikon and Canon. My experience with Nikon and Canon shooters goes like this, Nikon does an excellent job in the studio and I believe that is the place Nikon has put there efforts. Canon has built rugged outdoor equipment that can withstand the harsh outdoor environments and do well with sports and wildlife, etc. I'm not bashing Nikon, just that there are fundamental differences in the way the two companies have designed their equipment. With that being said, both companies are on the edge of new technology every day. When one company come out with a new product, the other is not far behind and usually with a far better product than the other. Look at mirrorless cameras, Nikon has had a mirrorless camera out for awhile, even though it hasn't had great reviews. Canon came out with the EOS R system this year and even though it still needs some improvements, was far better than the Nikon Mirrorless. In a few years Nikon will come out with a better mirrorless system than Canon and so and so on. It's called free enterprise competition. The Japanese are the best at it. Back in the 80's Ford, GM and Chrysler had to make better cars to keep up with Toyota. You have to keep up or you get left behind. Now that I've digressed, how does this article make us better photographers?

That is a large zoom lens. Try shooting shutter priority at 1/500 on a tripod. Even if it looks good through the viewfinder doesn't mean it will be and vice versa. The ol' rule of thumb still works, your shutter speed should equal or exceed your largest zoom. Your lens is a 50-500, you should be shooting at least 1/500.

Instead of buying more equipment, use the $$$ for a trip somewhere and photograph something you haven't seen before.

Mine is off until I need it. I carry 2 cameras with heavy lenses and I try to eliminate as much weight as possible. Which is one reason I went mirrorless. Occasionally I take my 5D Mark IV and Mark III out and that reminds me how much these cameras and lenses weigh.

I use flash outdoors, mostly as fill flash to counter shadows and the flash is turned down 1/3 to 2/3 stop. But I don't bounce the flash with a flash card outdoors I doubt the flash would do much good if turned at 45 degrees even with a flash card out. I do use a strobe outdoors.

I use a Lowepro Nova 200 AW shoulder bag. I fit 2 cameras with lenses attached, speedlight, many batteries and cards, earplugs, card readers, business cards, extra pair of reading glasses.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hot-Sale-Genuine-Lowepro-Nova-200-AW-Single-Shoulder-Bag-Camera-Bag-Camera-Bag/153541644544?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D40719%26meid%3D6e7f588c8ef844889c6429f3ee812170%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D383033194311%26itm%3D153541644544%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2481888&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Ae441bd7e-d6e1-11e9-a6be-74dbd180bd97%7Cparentrq%3A2f82456916d0a9e8a25e3054ffb49abf%7Ciid%3A1

I don't shoot Nikon, so can't answer the first part. I shoot shutter priority 75% of the time. The shutter stops time. The less time you capture, (faster shutter speed) the less blur you will get. The camera captures what it sees. If you shutter is open too long, the camera will capture everything it sees in the amount of time it is open, causing blur if the subject is moving. I rarely shoot less than 1/200 second shutter speed and often times will shoot from 1/200 to 1/320 on my wide angle lenses. One more thing to keep in mind, as a rule of thumb, your shutter speed should not be less than your max zoom length of your lens. For example if your lens is a 24-70, your shutter speed should never be slower than 1/70 (1/80 actual). It will take some practice before it becomes second nature. Eventually you will know how fast to shoot your subjects from experience.

Get a card reader. If you are using a laptop, a lot of laptops have built in card readers.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Type-C-Micro-SD-TF-Memory-Card-Reader-OTG-Adapter-USB-3-1-Portable/312609787532?epid=1088652905&hash=item48c8fece8c:g:mcUAAOSw0xBc24M1

If you want to go "professional" I would consider upgrading equipment. Consider a Full Frame camera, 6D II, 5D Mark III or IV, (maybe a slightly used copy). I would go with "L" lenses, 24-70 f/2.8 or f/4 and 70-200 f/2.8 or f/4. These lenses have constant aperture, work better in low light and are built tough. The lenses you have are variable aperture lenses and can be frustrating to use indoors. Or go mirrorless, that's the future. The EOS RP is a great place to start and will use all your lenses.

I was going to say the same thing. I would be more concerned about who you are photographing than the camera and lens. Carry two cameras, one with wide angle and one with zoom and you wont have to switch out lenses.

I recommend continuous lighting. I've used and have strobes but prefer the continuous lighting. The starter kits are not that expensive. I use LED lighting in the studio and it works great.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-in-1-Kit-LED-Video-Lights-Studio-Photography-Lighting-Battery-Light-Stands/283514259762?hash=item4202c44932:g:VHMAAOSwn2xc~Iw4

I rarely print but when I do I send them to MPix. They do professional work. Their monitors are professionally calibrated and will color correct if you ask them to. They have overnight shipping as well.

https://www.mpix.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2efrBRD3ARIsAEnt0ejzVHML4VpKIEIMrHaMtvvkQGmTUTA3c3mNwBFaOaGLr2EOFa-SH-kaAhtFEALw_wcB