[mathewb]

Hi all,
I realise this is an incredibly open ended question, but I am hoping that your combined experence might lead me a little further down the road to enlightenment.

My predicament - I am studying Astronomy (Masters through JCU, finally!) and I need a decent scope. I have always wanted one but never had the time or cash to get fully involved. I now have a limited budget and all the time I need so ...

I'd like a scope that;
1) I can use my Cannon DSLR with - especially for deep space objects.
2) That is not going to require a smitrailer and a forklift to move around and
3) Is upgradeable as more fund become available.
4) Budget of $2500 to $3000 (intially) that lets me attach my camers from the get go.

A friend has a 16" optical tube assembly that is sitting in a cupboard, its home made and is f/20 so very slow indeed! It doesn't have eyepieces or a stand so this is another option.

I would prefer to buy my own scope though....

I would normally just visit my local astro society, but they are a tough bunch to get hold of (Parkes, NSW) and I am an hour and a half away over fairly crappy roads...

One other question - where to buy? Im happy spending a few extra $$ if it means I can actually walk into the shop and talk to the person I bought it from rather than dealing with emails and ebay. I vist Sydney a couple of times a month.

Cheers,
Matt.

PS. Has anyone built a spectroscope and managed to get it to work with thier scope? Its somethign that I want to try and do myself. Its a question of life imitating Hubble!