Getting started M250 imaging

Tak Masters,
I am interested in trying a little casual astro photography with my 250 Mewlon. So far I have mounted my Nikon D200 on the back of the scope and taken a few unguided shots of the Moon and a few clusters. You can see the cluster posts below. Surprisingly, I got some stars to show up! My exposures were between a minute and two minutes for the clusters.

I have a Losmandy GM-100 that will carry 75 lbs. I have a custom drilled Losmandy DUP plate mounted directly on the bottom of my M250 (standard version). I am wondering if you think I could use the Losmandy side by side by side saddle system (DSBS) to hold my M250 on one side and my Meade ETX-125 OTA on the other side to use as a guide scope? I would plan to manually guide exposures lasting just a minute or two by hand because I am not sure I want to invest in a field laptop, a bigger power supply, and guiding camera at this time.

Would the M250 fit on the DSBS side by side with the Meade 5” Maksutov?
Do you think this would be a good “get started” solution?
Would the reducer / corrector for the Mewlon be a good investment for use on a Nikon DX sized camera sensor?

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

Sincerely,
Paul

Hi Paul,

http://www.robincasady.com/Astro/tandemlength.html



The Mewlons should have a corrector to provide a flat field. There is a reducer version and I highly recommend slowing that puppy up with what you have in mind. You will need a "metal back spacer" too. This will go between the corrector and your camera to provide the correct spacing which is also important.

Fun is important to so don't forget that either.