How do I take good pictures of the perseid meteor showers?

Question

I am going to Yosemite next week and will be there during the Perseid Meteor showers and I would love to take a decent photo of it. What ISO, Aperature, ect settings should i have on my camera to take the best possible photo. My problem is, I have a digital Canon Powershot 2 camera that only goes up to 400 ISO. I have read other questions about keeping the shutter open for a minute or two, but how would i do this on my camera or can I even do that on my camera. I guess I just don't understand how to open the shutter on my camera or how i can adjust the settings to do this. Any help is appreciated. Right now, i just assume I can't take any kind of pictures because I need a SLR camera from what I have been reading, but if you can offer any tips on getting any picture at all, I would be excited.

Answer 1

What is the exact camera model you have?  (G2, S2 IS, etc)  None of the Powershots have a bulb shutter speed, which is what you really need.  However, some of them can be open for up to 15 seconds.  (Both G2 and S2 IS can.)  Your best chance for getting any kind of picture is to put your camera into Tv mode, set the shutter speed to 15 seconds, use the widest angle so the aperture is open the widest, and put your camera on a tripod and take the picture.  Try ISO 400 first as this will allow the most light in.  If it turns out pretty bright, lower the ISO to 200 and take another shot.  Keep trying to get the ISO as low as you can get it while leaving the shutter speed at 15 seconds.