t3i $700good tripod and head $200-300ish (looking at a fluid head for video?? good idea?)2 quality SD cards $30-40Cleaning Kit $30-40extra batteries $20-30Which leaves me with about $500. Where's the best place to spend this - Better lenses, better tripod set-up, better camera body.....?
It's a tough call with the used. Being in Alaska, the used market is pretty slim unless you go online. Can you clarify the "crappy"ness of the back layout as I haven't used to compare?The need for a solid wide angle seems logical...
Instead of a front dial and rear wheel combo which works well for Manual, you've got a D pad style button layout and I can't remember but I don't think you get independent control over aperture and shutter, instead you've got a primary dial and a push button to hold which switches its function to either shutter or aperture (I can't remember which).A digitalrev video clarifies the major differences between the bodies in this area of the Canon range.