Ok...the C8 SGT would be the better scope in this case simply because it had the EQ mount. You'll be able to track objects for far longer and with greater accuracy with this mount than the alt-az mount of the other scope. Plus you'll avoid field rotation in your pics. However, that mount on the C8 SGT is going to be too light for astropiccies. You'll be OK visually observing objects with that mount, but it won't handle the weight of all the accessories and other bits and pieces hanging off the scope when you start to take pics. Upgrade to at least a Losmandy G8 mount if you want to start taking pics, preferably go for a G11. Then you'll have a good sturdy mount. In lieu of a G11 or G8, you could go a EQ6 Pro.
As far as setting up goes, the good mounts will be fairly heavy, but they have to be to handle the payloads they carry. However, setting them up only requires that you can read the instruction manual and have some idea of how to use a few allen keys and such. If you can do that, you'll have no problem. The only difficult part, for beginners, is to polar align the scope. What I would suggest is you join your local astronomy club and get as much tips off the members as you can. They'll teach you how to polar align your scope and with practice you'll become good at it
Now, for imaging equipment...start off simple. Yeah, you can jump straight into using CCD's if you like but you'll find that rather onerous. You'll be better off starting with a good modded DSLR. However, if you want to get a CCD camera, start off with something easier to use like a DBK/DMK, Celestron NexImage or even a GStar EX (either mono or colour). Once you've become reasonably proficient at using these cameras, you can try to move onto the more expensive CCD cameras like a QHY8, Orion Starshoot and such. Once you get good at it, then go onto the SBIG's, QSI's anf FLI cameras. By then, you'll be good enough to justify their cost of purchase.
There's a lot of other stuff you need too, but I'll leave that to someone else to fill you in on that
Don't want to hog the topic
