Shooting fireworks with IXUS ?

[mike j]

Anyone had experience of photographing fireworks with an IXUS ?

I'm taking my IXUS400 to a fireworks display tonight (Sat 16th) and wouldn't mind some tips.

i.e. can I leave it in automatic and just turn off the flash, or if I'm better with the manual settings, which would you recommend ? (+/- exp, AWB, ISO)

Should I go for one of the night settings (1 - 15 secs) and if so, would a tripod would be essential ?

(NB. As discussed previously, the IXUS cameras don't have the Tv mode like some of the other Canons, so you can't manually set the shutter speed to less than 1 sec)

Any thoughts appreciated. I've had a look through the forums but a lot of the posts are only relevent to the more advanced features of the Powershot G range of cameras.

Thanks,
Mike.

[JohnnyE]

This might help a little bit: http://www.shortcourses.com/using/light%20and%20color/chapter4.htm#Photographing%20at%20Night

There is a small section about photographing at night and shooting fireworks.

[MeGotsACanon]

That not a bad site that one, will have do do more reading when i get the time, it says 1/30, i was thinking of 1 or 2 seconds shots, with no people in the front.