With Dob mounts buying a scope and mount together is usually a good deal. Even the worst Dob mount is usually very good. Not so equatorial mounts. There is a tendency to under mount these. I've seen too many very shaky newtonians because they were put on mounts way under designed to carry the scope. Good equatorial mounts are expensive and to keep costs down manufacturers of lower cost scopes tend to cut way too many corners on their equatorial mounts. When you see them using the same mount for their 6" through 10" scopes you know the 10" will be in big trouble. Often even the 6" is shaky. For deep sky photography rock solid is a necessity.

One reason Dob's are so popular is the Dob mount is great. Even the best scope is no better than it's mount. I'll take an average scope on a above average mount before I'd consider an average mount for an above average scope. Only if the scope alone was worth the price would it be a deal to consider.

For deep space photography you need a top mount if you want good results. If you are a good tool man you may be able to fight a cheaper mount (but not a cheap one) into submission but it will be a chore. The longer the tube the more the lever arm on the mount and the better it must be. This has caused a strong shift to SCT scopes for astrophotography. The short tube can cut thousands off the cost of the mount, especially for 8 and 10" SCTs.

One way to begin is start with a Dob mounted 8" f/6 and then save for a great mount and move the tube to it. Others with bigger budgets start with the SCT on an equatorial mount if deep sky work is the eventual goal.

Most serious imagers buy mounts and scopes separately. That usually means a very expensive mount in the $2000 and up price range depending on the weight and especially length of the scope put on it. The top ones use mounts more in the $9000 and up range unless using small wide angle scopes. It's not at all uncommon to see the scope (OTA) costing one third what the mount it's on cost. An even greater difference is seen. For serious deep sky imaging the mount can be that important. Obviously not the place to start!!

Rick