>> <8 inch f/2.8 paraboloid>
> I would then construct a field flattening, coma correcting lense
> to be placed just in front of the camera.
What exactly do you have in mind ? I know of no single lens coma correcting lens (except maybe Maksutov subaperture corrector, which is not that crash hot for wide field, ESPECIALLY at f/2.8). Also, I doubt that "regular optician" is capable of making you a three lens Ross corrector, possibly incorporating the aspheric. Maybe you prove me wrong in this ?
Bratislav
PS do you intend to use a secondary (i.e. Newtonian configuration), or direct prime focus photography ? In first case, think twice, because secondary would have to be gigantic to cover 35mm. In second case, you won't be able to use SLR camera, in which case IMHO you are FAR better off with traditional Schmidt camera.