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[APML] Suggestions for an inexpensive astrophoto set up?



I am sure many people who will read this have heard this question asked over and over again,
so 1 more time won't hurt :)
 
I am looking for a telescope to start my newest passion for astrophotogrpahy. I've looked several places online,
studied the differences and read just about everything I could to pick a telescope. Now that it is time to buy, I don't know what I should get. I've about 500 dollars to spend. I know this isn't much, but its all the girlfriend will let me spend on the scope. She thinks this is even outragous. Obviously, she hasn't seen the "big boys".
 
I do have a bit of aperture fever but I guess I could settle for a 4.5''. If I am correct, I need either a catropedric (pardon the spelling) or a refractor. Right? As I have learned that reflectors are relatively cheap for mirror size, they do invert the image. Besides, I have never seen a camera mounted to a newt-reflector.
 
I've checked out celestron, meade, orion and nothing seems to fit what I need. I do plan on using the telescope for star gazing also, not just astrophotography. So, I need an all purpose telescope with a motor drive to track the area of the sky I am trying to capture.
 
With all this said, does anyone have any suggestions?
 
Thanks a million!
 
Tim