You piqued my interest with this one Robyn, so went Googling for NB images. I'd be interested to see what you've got when you sort out cal frames. Looks like some nebulosity to right of image is missing. Seems to be circular (vignetting?) artefacts that are no doubt cal related as you say. Otherwise it appear to be coming together great.
Looking forward to finished product. Colours looking reasonably natural.
Any hey, don't knock those 8" mirrors - that's a lot more real estate for sucking down photons than you refractor fiends are normally used to remember......
(Hmm, I suppose you have been playing with the 10" F/3.8 though too.....)