I wouldnt go past a big dob for a first scope... easy to set up and use, Transportable provided you have the right vehicle, Price per inch of aperture can not be beaten....
Photography is one of those things that If you dont have the equipment needed, or the budget to cover it more to the point, you're going to have very little but massive headaches.
For a decent astrophotography mount you're looking at least $1100 for the Skywatcher HEQ5Pro. That mount limits your scope options due to it not liking much more than 10 - 13kgs.. but you would probably get a nice refractor+guidescope+camera on it without too much problems.. but then you're looking at 1100 mount, 399 for an ED80 scope for imaging (at andrews) 200 for a guide scope and whatever a guide cam costs you.
You could probably do without the guidescope +guide cam... but still your looking at 1500.. JUST to get you started..
Hence my first comment. Spend as much money as you can justify on a dob that will fit in your car. the views are awesome and simplicity can not be beaten.
A note on color: On perfect nights from a dark sky spot, i've seen a SLIGHT greenish tinge to M42 (orion) and The keyhole nebula.. and have questioned whether i saw the same greenish tinge from M8... Other than that, deep space objects are black and white through my 8"... Jupiter and Saturn show distinct color...
Hope this helps.