Hi Paul and
You are correct on all accounts.
A 10" dob is an excellent entry scope in my opinion and this site is a great source for information and assistance.
I'm about to enter into astro photography myself and it can be expensive.
I recently bought an equatorial goto mount while it was on special, now I need clear skies and time.
I was about 12 when I first looked through the families 60mm Tasco refractor to view Halley's comet, and its nearly 30 years later on and I'm slowly getting back into astronomy.