M74 is a relatively bright, face-on spiral galaxy in Pisces. It is quite easy to locate as it lies about 1.5 degrees east and slightly north of the 3rd magnitude star eta piscum. In a 10" telescope it appears as a rather faint circular haze with a slightly brighter centre.

30 minutes exposure, Fuji Superia 200 film.
5" f/5 refractor, prime focus.

45 minutes exposure, Kodak Elite 200 film.
5" f/5 refractor, prime focus.

Combination of 3, 1 minute images unfiltered and 1, 10 minute image each using red, green and blue filters.
SBIG ST-8E CCD camera. 8" f/10 schmidt-cassegrain telescope at prime focus.

Combination of 10, 2 minute images and 20, 3 minute images.
SBIG ST-9E CCD camera. 16" f/10 schmidt-cassegrain telescope with f/6.3 focal reducer.

Combination of 20, 3 minute images.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 16" f/10 schmidt-cassegrain telescope at prime focus.

Combination of 10, 3 minute images unfiltered.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 20" f/6.8 Dall-Kirkham cassegrain telescope at prime focus.

Combination of 10, 3 minute images using red, green and blue filters.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 20" f/6.8 Dall-Kirkham cassegrain telescope at prime focus.

Combination of 20, 3 minute images unfiltered, and 10 3 minute images using red, green and blue filters.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 20" f/6.8 Dall-Kirkham cassegrain telescope at prime focus.

OnJuly 25, 2013, a bright supernova was detected in M 74. The supernova quickly became bright enough to be visible in fairly small telescopes, peaking at about magnitude 12.3. The image below was taken on October 24, when the supernova was about 13th magnitude.

Supernova 2013 ej. October 24, 2013.
Combination of 5, 3 minute images unfiltered.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 20" f/6.8 Dall-Kirkham cassegrain telescope at prime focus.

Combination of 10, 3 minute images unfiltered.
SBIG ST-9XE CCD. 12" f/10 schmidt-cassegrain with an f/6.3 focal reducer.

Combination of 20, 3 minute images unfiltered.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 20" f/6.8 Dall-Kirkham cassegrain telescope at prime focus.

Combination of 10, 3 minute images unfiltered and 10 3 minute images using red, green and blue filters.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 20" f/6.8 Dall-Kirkham cassegrain telescope at prime focus.