Noob advice for scope and camera please

Ok here goes. VERY new at astronomy but thrilled at what I have been able to see so far. I was given a Meade ds2114 with the astrostar feature for Christmas which as a beginner has helped a lot to locate where things are.
Here is what I am hoping to accomplish now.
I am also getting into photography and currently own an olympus e-20n. I would like to start taking pictures of what I can see up there and realize the scope I have is a very low end model enough to entice but that is it I am sure.
What would you folks recommend for me to get in order to have good viewing and be able to take pictures as well. I would like to invest in a good scope and use the camera I have but would consider replacing the camera but that would mean less money for the scope.
I have a budget of about 400 for a scope..maybe 500 and would definitely consider a used one as well.
Suggestions??
Thanks a lot in advance!

Jenna:

I am glad you are enjoying your new Telescope, sounds like you having a good time with it.

As far as photography goes, I could try to recommend a telescope and maybe camera tht fits your budget. But I think the wiser course of action is just to get your feet wet and just take some photos using your existing equipment. Jerry Lodriguss has a good tutorial on astrophotography, with a very comprehensive QUICK START guide.

http://www.astropix.com/HTML/I_ASTROP/TOC_AP.HTM

Start with the simplest techniques as he recommends and work your way towards more challenging efforts. He discusses all facets including camera, telescopes and mounts. Beware that Astrophotography is one area where things can get expensive fast.

jon

Jeanna: I saw one post about buying time for imaging. You might look at Global Rent-A-Scope. Great outfit, and you take the pictures yourself. I do my scope photography through them and save the "under the skies" experience for visual enjoyment with my dobsonian. But I also do piggyback work. Its not fussy.

As for imaging yourself: my advice is to learn the sky visually, using what you have (eyes, scope) and a pair of binoculars. Join a local club and participate in things like completing observing lists. At the same time, you can take some interesting sky shots with a digital camera mounted on a tripod. I have a Canon XT and have had a blast taking 30 second shots of more northern constellations. (30 seconds is the limit before trailing IF you are well north, try that on Orion and you get significant star trails.) Pick up Jerry Lodriguss' CD (Photoshop centered) and Michael Covington's book. You will be amazed at what you can do with 30 second shots!

Once you move out of simple constellation shots you really need an good mount. My piggyback outfit consists of a Losmandy G8, a Celestron 104 F/5 for guiding and my camera. But, you are looking at $1000+ for the G8 and $500+ for the camera. So, think hard about all the fun you can have with visual work and the snapshots. Years worth...