40D questions

[montychandler]

My wife and I are going to Roatan next month
Any advice for a starting point?

Any chance you are headed to Cocoview? If yes - your starting point would be to set up an appointment with Tim Blanton - the photo pro there. If no - since you have only mentioned the stock lens I suspect you have the 6" WA port. Be sure to shoot in RAW so white balance won't be a problem and if you have any light try not to use that strobe. The DS125 is a wonderful strobe best used for macro or for close shots. You've got a Ferrari for a camera - let it breath.. And as you said, shoot and play all week. If you're doing that - I'd suggest you bring a laptop with CS2/3 as the Jpegs won't look very good (at least mine never do).

Have fun. I'll be in Roatan in 8 weeks. Can't wait..

 

[cicopo]

I can verify that the Sigma 18-200 OS is a very good lens even though a lot of die hards are having a hard time believing an 11 X zoom can be any good, plus it's well built.
Re the 40D if this is your first DSLR and you are just beginning to learn how to use it without a thorough understanding of all the modes use P rather than Auto, it will make more logical decisions. Spend your time learning how to quickly apply exposure compensation or flash exposure compensation untill you have a good knowledge of the Av, Tv or M modes.
Downloadable full file samples from a Sigma 18-200 OS on a 40D are here, along with many other lens / body combos I have, with more to be added.