First, some articles:

And a book:
Phil Harrington: Star Ware 4th ed. (Wiley)

The best buy for a beginner is a Dobsonian reflector, like these:

Forget about taking pictures! Most beginners have enough on their plate between learning to find their way around the sky and learning how to use their telescope. Any telescope capable of taking serious pictures will cost at least five times what you probably want to spend.

Buy from a telescope store, not a department store or eBay. Find your local astronomy club and attend a star party or two to look through various telescopes.

Have fun!

I would recommend that you go to the web sites for Meade Instruments and Celestron. Both manufacture wonderful telescopes and have a host of accessories including just about everything you could imagine for astro-photography.. and

Pick up an issue of Sky and Telescope magazine. The ads in the magazine will speak volumes to you. Finally, you should consider buying a used telescope. This could save you 50% or more compared to buying the instrument brand new.

A brand new 10 inch Schmidt-Cassagrain with all the works (but not astro-photography ready) should run you about $3500. But getting one used I wouldn’t pay over 2 grand.

Adding a CCD and other accessories for astro-photography will add another 500 to 1000 dollars.

With all that said, getting a Newtonian telescope will run you considerablly less. Photographic accessories are the same price.

I own a Meade 10 inch Schmidt-Cassagrain. It is a BEAUTIFUL instrument. I have owned it for over 15 years and it still performs like a brand new machine.

Get ready for all the looking in your neighbor’s window jokes, particularly if your neighbor lives 15 miles away! Pick up the Sky and Telescope magazine first thing. Good Luck.