Probably contentious, but I reckon for an experienced imager that can hold a guidestar steady for extended periods by whatever means it takes (with <$10,000 worth of gear!) a good cooled CCD camera is a great investment. I paid $3000 for my QHY9, but wouldn't have had a hope of seeing so much and getting so much satisfaction if I'd spent that on mount or scope. Lilkewise money spent on observatory won't help shooting faint fuzzy DSOs from the city or if you have a noisey camera
If you're setting up in the backyard when life, moon and weather allow, with the odd trip to country dark skies (and your rig can track well), money in the camera is way to go.....
Heck we've been lucky with what technology has thrown our way in recent years though. Hope you find some funds for a foray soon Chris.
