Like others just getting into astrophotography,  are there any simple , and cheap, point and shoot,  digital cameras, that have a bulb setting, ???  or close to it???

How cheap?

 I have to warn you that aside from using webcams, AP is rarely simple, or cheap

 There are quite a few P&S digtals around with lots of features. Check out some of the Nikons and Canons. Fairly inexpensive way to take some pretty good photos through the eye piece (afocal)

 

Web cams cheap? Have you checked prices lately on some good ones ajohnson?

Most point and shoot cameras are limited to 15 to 30 second shots.I believe by the time you find one with a bulb setting you will be paying as much as you would for a DSLR that is much better suited to astro photography. I would look a the Canon XS. It is about $600 and has the bulb setting, Live view which really helps with focusing, and execellent software for controlling the camera with a computer. Afocal with a point and shoot is very difficult and frustrating. By the time you go through the Afocal path you will wish you had just laid out the money for a DSLR in the first place. There is no such thing as cheap AP.

JJ

As far as webcams go, a lot of people use the discontinued phillips spc900nc or a toucam.  If you're patient, you can still find them, along with 1.25" adapters for them, on fleabay.

Generally when you get into cameras with creative or manual settings then they are no longer just Point and Shot. You can find some that you can make some of the adjustments like gain(ISO), compensation and shutter speed, however they are usually very limited. Even if you find an inexpensive P&S camera with Bulb Setting if there is such a thing you would still need a mount with motorized tracking for anything other than short exposure A-Focal, Long exposure A-Focal Photography is very tough even with a DSLR. Prime focus is the preferred method for long exposure Deep Sky photography which is pretty much out of the question for a point and shoot camera. You might still be able to find a Philips ToUcam Pro III aka.SPC900NC somewhere in stock, or used that can be used for lunar and planetary imaging. Before you start purchasing cameras or anything for any kind of astrophotography please read the information contain within the following link. http://www.astronomy.com/ASY/CS/forums/302121/ShowPost.aspx#302121

THANKS EVERYONE.