ETTL II has been Canon's Evaluative Thru The Lens flash protocol since 2004. If the flash unit says it's ETTL II compatible, it will work on an 80D, 70D, 60D, 50D, and any other EOS D series camera going back to the 20D and 1D mk II.

Brilliant minds think alike, not that I'm brilliant, maybe just a little sharper than the average, but, I to have wondered the same thing. It would be sooooo convenient. There is a low battery indicator on the display, when the batteries are low, but that's not really a level indicator.

The first 600ex-rt I bought turned out to be counterfeit. It looks virtually identical to the real thing and the box and manual were the same as the real thing. I thought it was odd when I was playing around with custom settings, the display didn't match the manual. I later read a notice on Canon's Web site about the fake flashes and how to identify one. Sure enough, it was a counterfeit unit. After a few phone calls and emails, paypal refunded all but $50 of what I paid and I got to keep it. It does work but now I only use it off camera.
The second one I bought was real and I compliment that one with the YN686EX-RT.
I have a couple Yongnuo units but nothing compares to the Canon.

I recently picked up a YN686ex-rt and I really like it. It works with both the Canon and Yongnuo 600ex-rt units. The thing I really like about it is the same thing I dislike about it, the battery. It uses a single proprietary lithium battery that is good for easily 750 flashes per charge, no messing around with AA batteries.

The EF 50 f/1.8 II is a $105 lens new and Canon has been making them for around 27 years, so there are a lot of good used ones available. You can take it to Canon service but they may tell you it's not worth fixing.

Welcome to the forum...

I could see using ISO 64 when shooting portraits in bright light with an 85 f/1.4 wide open.

I will continue to use my DSLR as phones will never replace them. Phones may be replacing a segment of point and shoot cameras but do you really believe a smart phone will be capable of replacing something like a Canon 5DSR or 5DIV or a Nikon D850 or a Canon 1DX II or Nikon D5 or D500. People who understand the difference between a point and shoot phone camera and a high end dedicated camera will choose the dedicated camera for creating quality images, something phone cameras can't do because of the technology involved. Sure, phone cameras are perfectly fine for snap shots and images destined to be posted online, but how many photographers are using them to shoot weddings or sports events or fashion magazines or wildlife magazine or anything that's destined to be turned into a large print?!
As long as there is a demand for high end versatile cameras, the camera manufacturers will continue to make and sell them.

I owned the original 100-400 for several years. Sold it when the version II came out. The II is a far superior lens to the pretty darn good original lens. Better optics, better faster focus, better environmental sealing, more advanced central processor and better image stabilization, and it works great with the 1.4 III teleconverter.
Yes it is well worth the extra cost.

I've also been to Centralia, several times, back when there was still a town with people and a few time over the years as things got worse. You are so right on that place, creepy...

It locks in the travel position only. It is the third variation of the 18-135 lens and for an EF-S, it is a good lens. It is designed for doing video with the 80D and is the first lens to take the optional power zoom adapter.
I have 1 each of all 3 18-135 lenses and this one by far is my favorite. It has excellent optics, focuses really fast and has 4 stop dynamic image stabilization. It may be only 3.5-5.6 but with the 4 stop IS I've never had any problems shooting low shutter speeds in low light conditions.
When I ordered my 1st 80D, got it on day 1 of availability, I originally had not planned on getting the new kit lens. But after reading its specs and trying it out, I bought the lens with the camera. They go together quite well.

For the money the EF 17-40 f/4L can't be beat in a Canon lens.

I use to have the EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L but sold it when the all new and improved version II came out. It was not as sharp as the EF 400 f/5.6L but it did have IS and of course it was a zoom. The EF 100-400 f/4.5_5.6L II is considerably more expensive than the older one but it is one of the nicest lenses Canon makes. I use mine quite often with the EF 1.4 III teleconverter, an awesome combination.

They do occasionally show themselves and I've been lucky enough to photograph them a few times but more often than not I hear them off in the distance hammering away at a dead tree. They make a very distinctive sound and it can be quite loud. I've never actually seen one at my feeders. There is a large dead oak tree on my lot and that is where I've caught them with a camera. No doubt they have visited the feeders, I've just never seen one at the spot. My woods have an abundance of Woodpeckers; mostly downys and hairy's and red bellied and the occasional yellow bellied sap sucker, and of course the resident Pileated. These birds eat a whole lot of suet.

Who is to say what is the best when it comes to things such as point and shoot cameras. Your criteria are it has to be good, it has to be simple to use and it has to cost $500 or less. The best camera I can think of that fits your requirements is the Sony cyber-shot RX100.
It is the leader in its class, it is easy to use and it costs under $450.

I've bought a few refurbished 80D's in the past 10 months. They were like new for considerably less than new. Great camera to replace your 60D.