I've used both and the Sigma is superior in color, less distortion at 10mm, and is very sharp. Its a little more $ but your landscape images will be fantastic.
But, there are some bad copies out there so be prepared to return it if you get unlucky and get a copy below par.

You'll need to install the EOS Utility software that came with the camera plus the USB cable that came with the camera as well. Then all you do is connect the USB cable to the computer, then connect the camera to the USB and open the EOS Utility program and from there click "Control Camera" and then "Camera Settings\Remote Shooting" I don't have the XTI, I have the 7D, but I'm sure it's almost if not exactly the same. Make sure you have the recent updated version of the EOS Utility program. You can download it at Canon's website. I hope this helps, let me know if you need any further assistance.

You don't need to buy a CF card just for the firmware update, just use your current CF card in the camera you use for pictures. As for the size needed, the file is only 18 mb and I'm sure your card is much bigger than that. But, if you're just starting and have no card I'd get at least a 8 gb card. If money is an issue you could get by with a 4 gb card but the price difference isn't much. I have a 16 gb and get over 2000 jpegs and around 600 raw files
It's pretty easy to do, but if you need anything else let me know.

Thanks for the info, I'll download it tonight.

Sweet

Firmware is your camera's operating system. Go to this website and it'll explain what's in the new update. ( www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/standard_display/EOS7D_firmware ) As for if you should install, that's up to you. You definitely don't have to, some people probably won't for one reason or another but they won't have the updated features the camera now offers. If you need help please don't hesitate to ask.

[/quote]Cool!
Have you explored/tested all the new features?
I'm still a bit timid about installing it (the download was 18MB!) based on past firmware updates for other models.[/quote]

Yes, I've been shooting with my camera and have tested out all the new features. No problems at all. I'm sure Canon will have a new 7D manual available to download soon but it's all pretty easy to figure out. I was amazed by this camera and it's capabilities, now it's even better. I love the ISO Limit for Auto ISO now and I actually shot 31raw files at 8 fps before it slowed down. Nice

[quote=swallowtail]Hi, do you know if it can be downloaded onto a grey import and if so how? Thanks[/quote

I can't think of a reason why it wouldn't be able to. Just go to Canon's website, www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras,
then choose the 7D Camera. Then you'll see where it asks what your operating system is and next to that it asks what version you have installed. Once that is done look below and you'll see where it says Firmware. Click that and download the file. The file is a Zip file so you'll have to have a program that extracts zip files. Once the zip file has been extracted you'll see that there's a Update Procedure PDF file and a Fir. file. Go into the Update-procedure folder and read the "7d-firmwareupdate-en" PDF file for English language version. (There's also a Spanish, French, Japanese, and Chinese versions) From there it'll give you directions on how to install it onto your camera. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

Just went to Canon's website and the new firmware update is out. I already downloaded it and it works great. Nice new features. If you need help installing don't hesitate to ask.

Enter 1, 2, and 3. Very nice exposures. Although, and this is just some constructive input, on number one I downloaded to get a better look and I noticed that there was alot of noise. I see that the shot was taken at 1/6 of a second and at ISO 800. I'm assuming you also had a tripod because of the 1/6 of a second, either that or you have a very steady hand. If the shot was taken with a tripod why did you stay with ISO 800? There would have been much less noise at ISO 100 - 400. Now, if you didn't have a tripod then my input is irrelevant and I apologize. But, I still love the shot. I go up to June Lake every year for fishing and always stop at Mono for a picture session. Beautiful sunset. Congratulations.
Also, where was the Bald Eagle shot taken at, if you don't mind me asking?

Finally, some art that makes you think. What if I were her? What would it feel like being trapped under the ice? How would I react? What was the artist feeling when she thought of this shot? Thank you for sharing a part of you with us.

Looks good to me. In Photoshop Elements 10 under Enhance, at the top, there's an option to convert to black and white. Play around with those settings to change the look of the black and white image. That's what I do, anyway. That and Picasa 3 has a cool black and white conversion tool called Filtered Black and White. Check that out as well if you have it, or you can download it for free through Google. Lightroom 4 has a good Black and White conversion tool as well. I'm sure others on the forum have some good suggestions as well.

I've been wanting to get into flash photography for a while and a couple days ago I went ahead and got myself the Canon 430EX ll. (When the old lady finds out about it I'm going to be in trouble) Check these out and let me know if you have any suggestions on shooting water drops or different techniques or styles and maybe post some shots to get some different ideas other than just water drops splashing into a pan. I appreciate the help and ideas.

Thanks for your help

Great, thank you for your help