Neil,
Paul is right and alot of people would agree that imaging through a long focul length scope such as Lx200 or cpc is alot harder than with shorter focul lengths. I have had mixed results using mine and a DSI but I was never really intrested or have the time to take up conventional imaging. I got my LX200R for using both visual which it is great for and to use with a specialised astro video camera called a Mallincam which provides spectacular results in an instant. I seen one in action and let me say that your jaw drops when it fires up. Astro video cameras do not have the same resolution as conventional CCD camera's but my main intrest is visual and using my gear with family, lots of little excited kids
, and very eager friends. I use an optec .7 telecompressor which is excellent for the corrected optics of the LX200R as it reduces the focul length without flatening the field which has already been done with the 200R, and works well for both visual and imaging. If you go for the CPC scopes then a standard focul reducer would be OK but with the already corrected optics of the Meade scope some focul reducers don't perform so well from what I have been told.
I got a special custom made reducer to use with my Mallincam to get my scope down under F3 which is where the Mallincam works best on extended objects such as Neb's. But if I want to crank up the power I just take the reducer out. I mainly observe from suburban Brisbane so even if I invested in a big Dob over 16 inches the light pollution would not do it justice, but with my video system I will be able to chase down Galaxies that I would never see from a dark sky using a scope 16inch or bigger. This is where my intrest lies in astronomy but if you have no experience in imaging and want to give it a try maybe look at something easier like what Paul sujested and try using an ED80 and DSLR.
If you want to do visual and have great goto and resonable portability and maybe try imaging on the side here and there then the LX or CPC scopes would be good. I went for the Meade as I felt they offered more in the accessories for imaging. We have some guys in our club that are producing spectacular results using LX200 scopes but they are experienced and I am sure they have had lots of bad shots as well. The LX200 and CPC scopes are great all rounders if you like visual and are prepared to put up with the learning curve of imaging. One of the best planetary imagers in the world Damian Peach uses big Cat's for spectacular results and I have seen some images of some one here in Aust. using a cooled Cat. and the image quality is almost like hi-def so don't let people tell you these type's of scopes can't produce good images. Look at what some of the guys in the states are producing.
I don't have anymore experience to offer you but I am sure there are many more people with load's more experience with these types of scopes and others and hopefully will provide the answers you are looking for.Maybe try and post some more specific questions on what each type of scope you are intrested in or what type of imaging you want to try and do and I sure you will get great specific responses back. Me, I am happy with what I am doing in this great hobby of ours, thats the beauty there is many differerent avenues to pursue and it would be a bit boring if every one did they same thing
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Matt.