Ross, going back to the questions you asked me:
1, the image will be brighter, but mainly because the image will be concentrated into a smaller area. Glass and coating quality may have an influence.
2, Worth it? I can only speak for myself. For me yes. But I also recognize that this EP is a folly for me. I don't blindly follow doctrine or orthodoxy - life is so much sweeter and interesting by stepping outside the square
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And yes, there are some objects that do suffer from more magnification (not so much with larger FOV). There are objects that are best viewed with smaller aperture and bugger all magnification, like the Rosette Nebula. This nebula is so large and its light so diluted as a result, that it can be impossible to see in larger apertures because of the intrinsic magnification. You will easily see the Rosette in a pair of 11X70 binos, & have no chance in an 8" SCT with "typical" eyepieces. A 50mm gives you a fighting chance.
3, I can't answer that one as I don't know.
Mental.