New ST2000xm or used ST8E

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could give me some advise on a CCD camera purchase. I sold my ST7 so that I could upgrade to a used ST8E but I've seen some stuff from the new ST2000xm and it's pretty impressive. I would probably pay about the same for a used ST8e as New ST2000xm so I am in a delemma on what to do. Can anyone explain in laymans talk the difference between the two? I mean, why is the 8E $6000. and the 2000xm $3500. Would a novice like me notice a differnce between the two? I kept my CFW8 to use with the new camera so it will have to be an SBIG. Thanks for any info and direction you can give, Tom

Well tom, I have no personal experience with an st-8E, but as you probably know, I seem to be one of the main st-2000 guys out here right now. I'm assuming you're looking for an abg (antiblooming) camera? The st-8e is available as either abg or non-abg, whereas the st-2k is only an abg camera. Basically, the bottom line is that the st-8e is just more sensitive (requires shorter exposures) than the st-2000, due to a combination of pixel size and quantum efficiency in the red (the st-2k is actually the better in green and blue). Translated into lay terms, imagine pixel size equalling aperture; the bigger pixel size has more light grabbing area than the smaller one. I personally see the QE's averaging out to be about the same (this is when comparing only the anti-blooming version of the st-8 to the ST-2k), since each is better than the other at opposite ends of the color spectrum, although the st-8 would have the edge as we all know many nebulae are predominately red. The smaller pixels of the st-2k will give you a higher resolution on a small scope; while the added resolution will be usually useless on larger scopes due to seeing conditions. But with the huge image size, binning still gives you a decent sized image. If I had to pick between the two as a gift, I'd pick the st-8e. If I had to buy one, I'd pick the st-2k (which I did). The price difference is mainly due to ccd chip design differences. I couldn't see paying the extra price for a little more sensitivity. I never would've been able to buy an st-8. As far as use goes, the cameras work exactly the same. If you do decide on an st-8E, I would definately not settle for anything besides USB connections. If you get a parallel cheap, I'd get it upgraded. Oh, one last note; the st-2k is capable of 0.01 second exposures where I believe the st-8 is limited to 0.11 seconds? Definately a lot nicer for lunar/planetary imaging. Ok, I've rambled on enough. If you haven't checked it out, sbig explains the differences pretty well at:
http://www.sbig.com/sbwhtmls/st2000xm.htm