Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the positive feedback!!
Peter, it certainly is a steep learning curve - the drift aligning is something I'm only just coming to terms with!
Marc, I've got the Orion ST80 which I bought as an "up-and-go" scope but I'm also have it in the pipeline for guiding. It's just a matter of getting all the other components into place - laptop, webcam, etc. I've bodgied up a Logitech webcam and have used it attached to the ST80 to test it on the airconditioning unit on the other side of the lounge-room! I did it inside so I could see what I was doing and much to my surprise it actually worked!
When I got the 8" Dob back at the end of '08 and took my first afocal shot of the moon using a pocket digital camera up against the eyepiece, it ignited a passion for astrophotography that I didn't know I had! Since then I've added the Pentax Km DSLR, the HEQ5 Pro mount, the ST80 and other bits and pieces, all with the final goal in mind - great, crisp photos of the skies above. And this photo shows me that I'm on the right road.
I think the real clincher for me was yesterday when I had the picture developed at Big-W and the young guy behind the counter commented on it. He wanted to know some details about what was in the photo and when I said it was taken from the backyard, all he could say was "Wow!" That was nice and it put a smile on my face - see!
Rob, as I'm sure you're aware, Friday night had great clear skies here in Brissie - pity I was too sick to take the scope out!!!
Ric, I'm finding those D'oh moments go hand in hand with this passion!!
Thanks all once again,
Mario