Recommendations please for beginners Telescope

[SMB]

HI, I'm looking for a beginners telescope for lunar viewing and astronomy. If it's possible to attach a DSLR , then even better.

As it's early days I have a budget of around £200.

I had been recommended at Sky-Watcher Explorer - 130PM s a good starter scope, that would give good detail, can anyone confirm is this is a good basis or make another recommendation? thanks in advance

[DIW35]

The problem you will find very rapidly is that unless you go for a scope that has a motorised mount, obtaining photographs of deep sky objects will be very difficult.

Imaging the moon will be ok because you can use fast shutter speeds, and wide field views of the sky, and star trailing, can all be done with regular photo lenses.

Unfortunately a motorised mount will take you outside your budget, but if you are happy to start with lunar images, which can be a satisfying pursuit in it's own right, you shouldn't be disappointed.

[stevieb]

this one is a basic starter one with motorisation..

http://www.telescopeplanet.co.uk/ViewProdDetails.a... just a snip over your 200 budget

[Zad]

I would go with the ETX-80 too. For those on smaller budgets, on Monday Lidl have one of their regular sales of the 70/700mm Bresser refractor ( http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.200812... ).

Before anyone poo-poohs it (which, being a £59 quid telescope from Lidl, most sane people would) check the reviews.

http://www.astroman.fsnet.co.uk/skylux.htm
etc