Well, for $1000, you can get an OTA (optical tube assembly) but not much else. Like a Skywatcher ED80 Apo refractor for $699 at
Andrews. However, for $3000, you can pick out quite a few telescope packages that will suit you for what you want. If you're looking at refractors, then a Skywatcher Pro ED100 Apo with all the goodies (HEQ5 mount etc etc) will set you back $2499. The smaller 80mm model is $2199.
If you're looking at a newtonian reflector, a SW200 (8") with EQ6Pro mount and Synscan is worth $2399. The SW252 (10") with same mount and controller is $2499.
For a SCT or Mak/Mak-Newt, then your choices are limited to the smaller sizes. A Celestron 8" SGT on a CG5 mount (better to get one a bit more robust for piccies) is $2999 at
Bintel. The 6" model is $2499. Meade LX90 and LX200 scopes are out of your price league, unfortunately. As are most of the Celestrons. At Andrews, you could get the SW 150mm Mak for $2399, complete. Or the SW ProMak 180mm for $2799, complete.
Andrews, very shortly, are bringing out the new SW (a.k.a Orion, a.k.a Synta etc etc) 190mm Mak-Newt which apart from being good visually, is also an excellent photographic scope by all accounts. Don't know the price yet, but look in the $2500-$3000 mark.
Hope that has helped
