I have a psychopathic obsession with M78.... so much so it is my Astromart user name etc
Just the most delightful object in the sky IMHO.
Here's a few attempts I took at it (most uploaded prior to me knowing about ICC/internet colour profiles etc). Most were with an old f/6.4 Vixen FL-102S, a few with my FSQ-85 (VERY small amount of data, hence the lack of colour, graininess etc). When I get settled again, I will turn my reduced FS-102 M78's way
http://www.astrobin.com/106575/?nc=user
http://www.astrobin.com/full/106523/0/
http://www.astrobin.com/full/118609/0/
I love M78 - have I said that?