Unfortunately - confusion is often the way to start! You have to prioritise what is most important and then compromise. You seem to want everything - ( don't we all) - and of course you'll never get it in one package!!
Personally , I will say don't go for a manual mount. Alt-Az is easier to figure than EQ, but once you've set an EQ mount up a few times, you'll wonder what all the fuss was about. Whichever, you want GOTO!
I would hold off on the photography kick if you can for now.
Reflectors will gather more light for a given weight if portability is important and a larger aperture is always better.
Don't be put off by second-hand although the current virus stay at home thingy makes that awkward. If you can find a decent scope on an EQ5 PRO mount, that would be ideal, although the mount is quite heavy!
Consider Skywatcher, Meade or Celestron OTAs.
Sorry if I have added to the confusion, but you should be able to pick out some common threads from all the above good advice from everyone. Come back and ask more when you have had time to digest it all.