Barney, I learned from the Nikon 4500 yahoo group that you need a bigger LCD screen to get a good focus. The LCD screen on the camera just isn't big enough to get a good focus. I asked what kind of 5" LCD screen to buy on the Nikon 4500 group. I wanted something under a $100 dollars that I could get a decent focus. They told me to get the Interact PS One 5" LCD screen. This has better resolution than the Sony monitors. I checked on Ebay and Amazon but couldn't find it. I was finally led to a surplus store called AllElectronics.com. I picked one up for $80 new as I was in a hurry. You connect your camera to the LCD monitor via the video jack supplied with the camera. What you do to get a good focus is zoom in on a bright star to get a good focus. You want to turn off your camera's LCD screen as this is a source of noise. If you are shooting Mars then you probably want to stay in zoom mode. For wide-field shots you zoom out once you get a good focus. You also want to use your self-timer so you don't blur your shots. My camera has a 10 second delay and a 3 second delay. Some people also use a remote control shutter that can be programmed. I don't know how long your exposures are but some people are using 1/30, 1/15, or 1/8 second exposures. This locks in moments of good seeing. I think people are taking anywhere from 50-75 exposures. What telescope are you using? I don't know if the 3X barlow is too much magnification or not. I heard that you want to shoot Mars in the f/40 to f/50 range. I also found some good files on the digital astro group at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/digital_astro . I also found some stuff on the correct camera settings for digital astro-p hotography. I haven't actually gone out with my camera yet because it has been too hot and humid and cloudy to do anything yet. I'm going to order the Scopetronix 14mm eyepiece and try some shots when I get back from Lowell. The people on digital-astro group have been very helpful in answering my questions. There is also help on the Scopetronix website. I also downloaded Registax but haven't used it yet. You may want to talk to Ken Simons about that program. He uses it with his webcam. Hope this helps. Debbie