Thanks all for the responses, the help is great ! I will definitely try the "Hat trick". My Nikon doesn't quite have mirror-lockup, but it does have a mode to flip up the mirror 1/2 sec. before the shutter opens. I'm not sure that is long enough. Maybe I will try a few comparison shots between the Hat Trick and the semi-mirror lockup. I looked up the "star-drift" tracking method, and will try it on my next clear night. I'm very hopeful that will solve one part of the problem. It will definitely work better than the "Oops! The stars are still moving, let's try this position" method I was using the other night. I would really like to be able to get 2-5 minute exposures ... which I expect will make me want 15-30 minute exposures. For focusing, I will definitely prefocus on a brighter object. I did look at some the pictures on the small camera LCD after taking some of the shots, but obviously didn't look close enough. I was mostly thinking about the bad tracking at the time. I can magnify the pictures on the camera LCD, so I will be more diligent about reviewing the focus. I will have to save the after-market focusers until I get some more time into the basics. (and the family appropriations committee gets a little more softened up) I'm a little hesitant to culminate the scope because I don't know what the before and after differences should look like, and don't want to make anything worse. I guess I will do some more reading on it first. About the "piggyback" suggestion, I have an adapter/mount partially built to be able to piggyback my dSLR on the telescope. I am hoping to finish that today. I saw a picture of a pier (mentioned by Patrick) on a forum the other day, and that is definitely on my list. I can build one without a big $ outlay. I already have a concrete pad in my backyard, and I'm guesssing that a pier bolted to that would give me about the best foundation I could hope for. I took golf lessons a while back, and felt that I had to remember and pay attention to 8 different things simultaneously while I was swinging the club. Right now this feels similar. I am having great fun, although I could use a few more clear nights. Wednesday 3am-6am is showing possible clearing in SLC, but I'm not sure if I am quite that dedicated to stay up for a "maybe" on a cold winter's night. Clear skies, and Happy Holidays, Gary Logan.