If you've got your heart set on a CCD camera and have $1500-$2500 to spend, then you have several options. Going the cheap end, you can grab yourself a Meade DSI III Pro for about $1300 at Bintel. I'd suggest you get the OSC (One Shot Colour) version and not the mono as it will be less frustrating for you to use first up. No fiddling with filters. Up the dearer end, and also at Bintel, is the Orion Starshoot Pro 2 camera at $2500. It's an OSC type but a lot more capable than the DSI. You could also buy a
QHY8 for $2350. They're much like the Orion Starshoot.