Beginner looking to buy telescope for both regular viewing and astrophotography

[Bruiser (Bruce)]

Hi all, I've just joined up so first post.
Anyway I'm a keen photographer and when young was a fairly keen dad trained astronomer :-) That was a long time ago though and nearly all forgotten, but the love of looking up is still strong.
I'm not entirely sure what I want to look at most, would love to be able to do everything with a single scope but obviously optimal focal length for one thing wont be optimal for another.
I went into Bintel in Sydney and they were guiding me to Bintel BT200 f5 HEQ5Pro GOTO, which is a 1000mm 8" reflector at $1699. I think to actually track for photography purposes I'd need to add an autoguide scope to it and maybe some other bits?
I'm not sure what 1000mm pros v's cons are in terms of what can be viewed. Also is this a good package or is it going to be too limiting?
Also I own a Canon 5D MkII which has its IR blocking filter still installed and I'm not sure how limiting this is either. CCD sounds best but its not an option I could afford at any time in forseeable future.
Also for the majority of the time I am confined to Sydney, not inner city but still in the light infested sprall. How much can be seen in this case

Sorry about the long winded blurb and thanks for your patience

[Waxing_Gibbous (Peter)]

Hey Bruiser,
It's very hard to go by an an 8" Newt for on an a GEM for it's combination of resolution, practicality and cost-effectiveness.
The advice you've been given is pretty sound.
Bear in mind that almost any old PoS will do as a guide scope so a whole GS package should set you back no more than $300. As long as your auto-guider can keep its guidestar within about6-7 arcseconds, you'll be fine.
Also, "Train" your mount: over two or three nights adjust or correct your mount's pointing using (preferably) three stars and your acuracy will impreove markedly.
ATB and clear skies!

[Poita (Peter)]

If you are looking for something a bit more solid, I have a nearly new CGEM up for sale in the classies, I'd be willing to throw an ED80 refractor in for really cheap
Could probably come in at the same price all up.

I found the CGEM easier to use and generally better all round than the EQ6 I had before it.

The HEQ5 goto is a good mount, but if you ever decide to go bigger than 8" it will struggle for photography.

[Poita (Peter)]

Take a look at Allan Gould's photos to see what can be done from a light polluted location. You can still do amazing work with a refractor even in a light infested back yard.
e.g. http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...3&postcount=11
Visual astronomy is more difficult in the light saturated burbs.

[Bruiser (Bruce)]

Thanks waxing gibbous and poita
Good to be reassured, and also I didn't even realise there was a sale section though I think I read a speil about selling in the conditions when joining. Best have a look!
Great photo from suburbia