On 09 Oct 2004 20:12:10 EDT, (RS) wrote:

Is there a scope that combines the wide-filed views of a short tube
(400mm or so) and light-gathering ability (8" or so). Or is the best
of both worlds too much to ask for?

Thanks

Sorry, you are out of luck.
An 8" f4 and a 31mm Nagler eyepiece will give you
2.5 degrees of sky. You are at the practical limit
of lower power, wide field with an 8" scope. .
A 400mm will obviously give you much more sky