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Hi Mark,
Glad to hear that you're on your way with deep sky observing. Alas the rod cell photoreceptors that we rely on for low light vision come in only one population. They are exquisitely sensitive and when fully dark adapted, can respond to a single photon. But you will only see shades of grey with them. The "daylight" cone cells are much less sensitive and come in three populations sensitive to three different wavelengths. The brain perceives colour by comparing the relative activity of the 3 populations. So when there's enough light, you'll see colour. Cameras can accumulate photons over hours, so can show great detail andc colour.
The rod cells don't exist where the centre of you vision is, so viewing dim objects is best when you look a little to one side of the object you're interested in.
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