Few questions to the digi cam guys

Ok, after having my arm twisted by you guys to get a Nikon Coolpix 4500 (haha), now I'm ready to really learn. So...
1) I've got a mount I'm going to use that is like the Steadypix, what eyepieces are best for afocal?
2)What are you using to add all the frames together? I have Adobe Photoshop 7 Premier, but I never have used it. Not having a camera didn't help either.
3)I saw some good links on how to adjust curves/histograms etc... can anyone post those for me?

Isn't astromart great??? I am gonna guess that within 36 hours I'll have answers to all of these questions Thanks guys/gals!

Anthony, I don't know about software and stacking(yet), but your best bet for attaching the camera to the scope/eyepieces is the Scopetronix adapters. You will need the basic 28mm to t-thread adapter and then the adapter that will fit whichever eyepiece(s) you want to use. I have been using my 4500 with a 15mm Panoptic and a generic 30mm plossl. The plossl allows wider field shots (whole moon or 1/2) and the Panoptic gets me even closer. The main criteria is to be able to get the camera lens as close to the eyelens of the eyepiece as possible. Check out the Scopetronix site (Astromart advertiser).

Walt

Anthony,
I just got my CP4500 yesterday, so I'm going through the same decision process that you are. For the CP4500 here are some of the mounting options:
1. Scopetronics "DigiT" system ($60)-- works on 1.25" eyepieces with eyecups that can be removed leaving a grooved ring around the ep that is between 1.22-1.26" in dia. This includes many of the standard plossls (but unfortunately, only one or two of my lower quality eyepieces)
2. Scopetronics "DigAdapt"--can accomodate somewhat larger eyepieces like the Meade 8.8 and 14mm UWA's. I think it was comparable in price
3. Scopetronics 14 or 18mm SWA eyepieces that, when the eyecup is removed, are threaded for direct attachment to the Nikon Coolpix's 28mm filter threads. Scopetronics recommends these as producing the best image of any product they sell for the CP4500, with virtually no vignetting even at the Nikon's wide angle setting.

I understand that we're fortunate with the Coolpix line in that the zoom is internal (allowing for close coupling to the eyepiece) and the lens is small enough in diameter not to vignette under a wide range of afocal eyepieces.

As for my coupling device, I went with a fourth choice-- The Televue DRA-0028 digital camera adapter ring. This is threaded for the Nikon's 28mm ring, will fit large eyepieces like my Panoptics, and couples them as closely as the Scopetronics. It is $30 (not often that TV is the least expensive choice!) and is available from the usual sources.

BTW, if you haven't found it, I'd suggest you join the Digital Camera group on Yahoo. In under a week I've already learned an immense amount, and saved myself a slew of money as I get started. (For example, I don't know how you were planning to activate the Bulb mode on your CP4500, but it turns out that there is a cheaper alternative than either Nikon's pricey remote control or the Harbortronics unit. You can save a hundred bucks on this alone-- and that buys a fair sized flash memory card.) Good luck,
Jim