I'm looking at purchasing my first telescope (actually, it will be a Christmas gift from my girlfriend and I have a budget of $500).

I would like to take photographs, though this isn't my first priority; I already own a Kodak DC290 digital. The two scopes I'm looking at are Celestron 114 Short and a Celestron 114 GT.

First, would these be good 1st choices? I've heard mixed impressions on refractor VS reflector and I'm leaning toward reflector technology.

Keeping in mind that I'm a total beginner...
Second, would the GT be better (having GoTo would make it more enjoyable) or the Short (I would learn more if I had to find the stars/planets myself).

Third, how do I attach the DC290 to these scopes?

Thanks very much,
Forrest