[Solanum]

I've spent some time having a look at M104 and M83 this week. Whilst it was exciting to actually find and view them, I have to say that, even though I was aware that seeing the structure requires photography and that the given magnitude is not for a point source I was still rather disappointed in what I could actually see: the nucleus being like a diffuse high magnitude star surrounded by very faint nebulosity giving the shape.

Excluding M31 I haven't seen any lists with significantly brighter galaxies than these (including Glens recent and very comprehensive lists).

So 1) are there any galaxies that would be more impressive in my scope than M104?
and 2) does anyone have tips for maximising what one can see of a galaxy through the eyepiece.

Thanks!