You might also find it helpful to scan the area you're looking (e.g. for Centaurus A) with binocs, then your 50mm finder, then the main scope.
Even if you don't see the object in binocs/finder, you can still use the surrounding stars to zero in.
It really is a revelation the first time you observe from very dark skies. In fact its somewhat dis-orientating too - so many stars you find it hard to star-hop, even though the DSO are much more obvious
Did you say you haven't seen the magellanic clouds yet?