3D Rotation Tool

I'm trying to do a simple animation where I rotate a circle on the Y-Axis and have different images rotate in. I find that the 3D rotation tool is very clunky and when I create key frames and rotate along the Y-Axis to the spot where I want it it then over rotates it when I play it back?

I also find it very annoying that you can't just enter a number for an axis rotation like 180 or whatever.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!