I realized a comparison between two old Canon of 2002-2003

Digirame wrote:

Here's what I took last week at ISO3200 with the Tamron 150-600mm lens to give you an idea of what you can do with the Canon T7i (800D) camera. Taking pictures of wildlife in shadows is easy.

well no contest, my T3i is showing its age at ISO3200.  however there is plenty of life beyond ISO3200, the sample previously at ISO12800 is a very worthy capability.

For years I used the Canon 55-250mm lens for wildlife pictures with the Canon T2i (550D) camera. I waited a while to save up money so I could buy the Tamron 150-600mm lens with cash (no credit). In those days, my budget was tighter. Now, it's not so much...I just have to decide what I want...but there's priorities in life. That lens is five or six years old now. I only had problems with it once and had it repaired under warranty. I'm real careful to not drop it. I carry it in a side bag and have a strap for it too.

i advocate for wrist straps on all cameras, they sell them in quantity on amazon for cheap.  never dropped a camera with the wrist strap on; i just don't like neck straps for some reason.  also any camera bag seems to be decent protection, but i don't drop those either, preferring to carry that on my shoulder.

money isn't too big an issue, but there is so much quality available on the used low end that i feel no need to reach to high.  reading about better L glass does keep me entertained.