[alistairsam]

hi,
i've been reading a fair bit, and got myself an 8inch F6 Bintel Newtonian on a Dob mount.

but so far, i haven't been able to see any decent nebula or galaxy with the scope apart from M42.
am i expecting too much?

below is what i have and use
2inch crayford focusser, 2" 26mm GSO EP, 1.25" 9mm Plossl EP, 2X 2" Andrews ED Barlow.

Now that Mars is visible, i tried viewing at the lowest and highest mag, but haven't been able to discern details. Jupiter was better.
I have collimated my scope, I got help at MPAS with a laser collimator.

I have cleaned the primary with distilled water with no damage at all.
I fixed an A4 sized black felt piece opposite the focusser inside the OTA to reduce reflected light as i have a street lamp just next to where i view.

I can easily see the 4 trapezium stars in M42 with good nebulosity.
i use stellarium to try and star hop, but have'nt had any luck in locating objects.
was thinking of building setting circles, but not sure if its worth the effort.

any advice on what I can realistically view with my 8" F6 and with which eyepieces?

I read an equipment review of a 10" GSO reflector and was amazed at what all he could see. going by that, an 8" should'nt be too far off, at least thats what i hope.