Yes, there are always alternatives. It is interesting to compare this M45 image aquired over 200 minutes with a 10" apeture to an image of the same object aquired with a mere 80mm, and only 60 minutes with a canon 350d
this later image can be compared by looking at the link supplied at
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=14429
Just think what could be achieved with background noise reduction by upping the ante to 200 minutes with that setup!
I guess it comes down to one's preference between imaging for accuracy or 'happy snaps', and there is nothing wrong with happy snaps.
looking at the 350d<<ED80 image of M45 and comparing it to the sx image, if I had a 350d (which I do), and was using it for astro-imaging(which I'm not), I wouldn't even think of upgrading to anything other than a mono full frame ccd such as an SBIG, and then only if I had the desire for going beyond happy snapping.
my take,
Doug