thanks steve,
yes im going to go for the t3i- with the canon 50mm 1.8 prime and tamron 17-50 2.8 zoom lens.
i think like you say, the 5d mark ii is too much of a step up for me.
i think i will buy the rode videomic pro and perhaps some wireless seinheisser mics.
can you recommend any other accessories- a monopod perhaps?