I managed to get a ‘quick look’ spectrum last night as the clouds parted and before the nova went behind a tree!
I used my 4.5 inch F/5 Newtonian with a 12 degree objective prism to image a 2.5 x 1.3 degree field containing the nova. It stands out clearly from the other stars in the field. Even with my un-modified Canon 550D DSLR the red H alpha emission is clear and explains the red colour of the nova seen in other images.
The bright star at top right is mag. 5.6 SAO39688, spectral type A0, showing H beta and H gamma lines.