Guidescope? with ccd autoguider

I wonder if someone with astrophotography expierence can answer a question for me? I am fairly new (last couple yrs) to film astrophotography with a permanent pier mounted LX200 10" f10 scope. I am doing film photography with a OM-1 camera attatched to the LX200. Most of my interest in photos is in deep sky objects (galaxies, nebula, ect.) I am tired of trying to guide on stars too dim visually with a guiding eyepiece and my off axis guider. Hence i have been looking into several options for autoguiding. Is losmandy rings and a refractor with a autoguider the best option? If so what size of refractor would be recommended with both optical and mechanical considerations? Or should i stick with a autoguider on my existing offaxis guider? Also i noticed on Sbigs internet site, a new product, called the FR237 which acts as a small guidescope with thier autoguiders. This option seems to be less in size and wieght, i would think a good thing. But does it work well enough to a first timer to invest into? How about using the existing 8x50 finder scope with its dovetailed holder, and a little machining adapter and a CCD autoguider? (the eyepiece unscrews off the back of the 8x50 guidescope) Would that accomplish the same as a FR237 mounted to the front of a autoguider? All of these options would take a bite out of my budget. So if someone could give me practical answers and expierences on what they found works and doesnt, before i invest. I have to do something different than visual guiding?
Thanks

Anthony,

I use a guide scope and autoguider for my 8" SCT. The thing you must keep in mind is the focal length. To take sucessful guided images the guide scope should be at least half the focal length as the scope your taking pictures through. If your trying to photograph at F/10 on your ten inch the focal length is 2500mm, then your guide scope should be at least 1250mm. The FR237 will give you 100mm of focal length,less than 1/10 of the bare minimum, thats not gonna doit for you. I think if your going to use a guide scope, I'd go for something in the 600 to 750mm focal length. They are fairly light weight and you can use a barlow to double the focal length. Don't forget focal reducers for your ten inch for more flexibility.