Hi Chuck,

It is a little more involved to get a good focus on a digital camera. Most amateurs use a bigger separate monitor connected by a video jack. They can see the image better and get a better focus when the camera is zoomed in. Most astro-photographers are using the afocal method. I have a 14mm Scopetronix eyepiece that screws directly into my Nikon Coolpix 4500 28mm threads. Here is the website that would be helpful. ScopeTronix Quality Astronomy Products

With the digital cameras, you almost always have to buy a remote shutter control for the camera. Otherwise, the images will blurry because of the vibrations caused by pressing the shutter release. For more information, go to the digital_astro group on yahoo. This is a great group to learn digital imaging.  I went to the Files section there and printed out some of the information there on getting started in digital imaging. I can't tell you much more because I haven't hooked everything up to my telescope yet. I'm going to try to shoot the moon when the weather clears. This is an easy subject because it is big and bright.

I can only use the camera for astro-images during the colder months of the season due to the noise factor.I doubt I will take images longer than 120 sec. It will probably be less than that because my first few sessions will be unguided.

Debbie