Newbie choice - Celestron NexStar 130SLT

[turbohobbit]

Hi there! I've been interested in photography for years and have recently got intro astronomy (thanks largely to the televised antics of Messrs O'Brein and Cox).

I would like a scope with a GoTo (or similar) facility as I am pressed for time with a busy job and young family, and I figure I can learn "manual" spotting over time. Given my interest in photography I would also like a camera mount. All that said though I don't want to spend loads since I am a beginner and I don't want to overly commit to something I may not end up using.

So anyway, I was looking at the Celestron NexStar 130SLT computerized telescope as it seems to tick all the boxes. Two questions though:

1. Is this actually a good idea for a beginner?

2. Does this have a camera mount / the ability to add a mount? In all the things I've read I can't see either way...

I was looking at the Skywatcher Explorer 150 but the lack of a GoTo is a showstopper for me.

Thanks for your help in advance folks!

[jefrs]

We have the 130SLT and camera mount can be added, it does not come with that.

Depending on your camera and lenses you may just want to put you camera on a motorised equatorial mount like the Skywather Star Adventurer.

The 130SLT is a "650mm f/5 lens". A 500mm f/6.3 reflex lens on my MFT camera becomes "1000mm field of view" (at f/6.3). OTOH the 130SLT becomes a "1300mm FoV" lens on my camera but then the 800mm reflex beomes "1600mm FoV".  And then there's a 2X telconvertor (that adds 2 stops).

i.e. you don't need the telescope and may be better of without one but if you have a DLSR and want an extra long lens you may have spend a lot of money, the equivalent Nikkor to my Panasonic 100-300 is a mere £3,500! ouch

[jefrs]

No I cannot edit (yet) - stupid rule. I have arthritis and I tpyo.  There's a "C" missig. Try "Skywatcher"