better beamer review

[avkomp]

just received my better beamer (flash extender, for those that havent heard the term before.)

I decided to check how well it works so set up a little test as it started to get dark tonight.
I set the camera up on a tripod with the 80-400 lens fitted.
I chose a tree with a fence behind it at a range of 20 metres.
Initially I set the sb800 to manual zoom of 50mm as per the instructions and took a shot with the lens set to 80mm. the beamer isnt designed for a lens of this size but the aim is to produce a spot pattern of flash in the centre of the frame. My test shot showed that the beamer was firing low, so using the shims provided, I quickly was able to centre it to the centre of the frame.

at 400mm I shot a frame of the tree and the sb800 had power to spare.
removing the beamer produce -1.5 ev of under exposure.
I experimented with manual zooming settings on the sb800 and found that the beamer produced the tightest pattern with the sb800 zoom set at 24mm.
the test shots I took with the 80-400@ 400 and the sb800 zoom on 24mm gave me up to 3 ev advantage. usually at least 2ev.
The instructions recommend against setting the sb800 zoom to anything less than 50mm, but if you callibrate it you can achieve 3 ev of range increase.
Whereas this device will let you reach out and touch with your lenses above 300mm, The light focussing effect of the beamer will mean that the sb800 wont need to emit as much light, resulting in longer battery life / faster recycling time allowing for faster follow up shots.
The fresnel lens that comes with the beamer is a magnifying glass and the instructions warn you about pointing the beamer at the sun whilst on the flash as this will damage the plastic flash lens.
I found that the distance the fresnel lens sits in front of the sb800 is exactly the distance to focus sunlight into a point capable of melting plastic
(or burning my hand) in less than 1 second. Care would definitely have to be taken to not point towards the sun if you had it fitted to the flash to avoid burns. I would recommend carrying the fresnel lens in your pocket whilst not shooting to avoid damaging the sb800.

In summary,
I found this device, whilst very simple, actually does significantly increase the range possible with your flash when used with long lens.
Can see why these are very widely used by nature photogs.
whew...... after all that I need a coffee.
Steve

[marcotrov]

Thanks for the detailed review Steve, you earned your coffee. I have been wanting to get one for ages. I also have an 80-400VR. Where did you get it and how much if you don't mind my asking. I've also looked on ebay without much luck. There are so many little accessories we lust after but this one is great I feel.
cheers
marco

[avkomp]

hi Marco

http://www.naturescapes.net/store/home.php
is where I got it. took less than a week to arrive
$36 usd plus whatever shipping method you wish.

I must admit to being skeptical but it very clearly does focus the beam from the flash, and you can very clearly see that instantly in the test shots when I was using the lens @ 80mm. it produced a shot not dissimilar to shining a torch at a wall.

looking at the construction of the beamer, it is basically just like one of those full page magnifiers you see around together with two pieces of plastic which hold it the correct distance from the flash. you could probably make one if you found a magnifier like this but seeing as I am basically lazy I just ordered one.



Steve

[DaveB]

I'm not surprised you like it Steve. I've been using mine for 3 or 4 years now.

the test shots I took with the 80-400@ 400 and the sb800 zoom on 24mm gave me up to 3 ev advantage. usually at least 2ev.
The instructions recommend against setting the sb800 zoom to anything less than 50mm, but if you callibrate it you can achieve 3 ev of range increase.
Whereas this device will let you reach out and touch with your lenses above 300mm [...]

Be careful that the more you fine-tune the flash beam the more accurate you need to be in aligning it with your lens.
Certainly the instructions are geared to use with full-frame cameras, and you're using it with a DX-format body. So with a flash zoom of 50mm their recommendations are geared to lenses longer than 300mm in 35mm-equivalent terms (200mm on your DX body).

Your warnings about being careful with the sun are very wise. These devices are also known as Better Burners.

One issue I haven't found a good solution for yet is the best way of carrying the fresnel lens in the field. The plastic sleeve it comes in does collect tiny amounts of dust and grit, and over time the surface of the lens gets scuffed. In fact it's about time for me to get another replacement lens...

Marco, you can buy it from NaturePhotographers.Net or NatureScapes.Net.

[DaveB]

looking at the construction of the beamer, it is basically just like one of those full page magnifiers you see around together with two pieces of plastic which hold it the correct distance from the flash. you could probably make one if you found a magnifier like this but seeing as I am basically lazy I just ordered one.

It's a lot smaller than an A4 magnifier! Actually the first models of the BB used lenses that were reading aids. I'm sure these days they still do, except they source the lenses directly from the manufacturer.

Only a month ago I did a bit of searching around via places like the Victorian Association for the Blind, and no one in Australia stocks the right size of lens. I did find some places in the US that did, but once you source the lens and then attach thin velcro strips to the sides (as on the beamer lens) you're pretty close to the price of the replacement beamer lens!

[Manta]

Thanks Steve for the review and Dave B for your additional comments. I have been tossing up whether to get one of these and you've certainly helped me make up my mind.

[avkomp]

an addional use would be with a higher end dslr with high speed sync.
In high speed sync mode, sync is achieved by pulsing the flash at a much lower output, greatly reducing the effective range. using a beamer on one of these cameras with a long lens will benefit when using it for fill.

Steve

[marcotrov]

Steve said:

looking at the construction of the beamer, it is basically just like one of those full page magnifiers you see around together with two pieces of plastic which hold it the correct distance from the flash. you could probably make one if you found a magnifier like this but seeing as I am basically lazy I just ordered one.

Me too! I wonder if Birddog can get it. Birddog the LUST is building in me once again
Thanks Dave, just read your referral and I have checked out Nature Photographers before.
cheers
marco

[blacknstormy]

Simon - you can try mine out tomorrow if you like - it's amazing how much reach you get with the flash!!!!
Rel

[Manta]

Thanks Narelle. I look forward to it. I've got one on order anyway...

[horstflotow]

One issue I haven't found a good solution for yet is the best way of carrying the fresnel lens in the field. The plastic sleeve it comes in does collect tiny amounts of dust and grit, and over time the surface of the lens gets scuffed. In fact it's about time for me to get another replacement lens...

Marco, you can buy it from NaturePhotographers.Net or NatureScapes.Net.[/quote]

Try stationary shops, they carry the fresnel lens in different sizes (at least they do here in Singapore, costs around S$1-2) as magnifying lenses for reading books etc. When you get the right size lens you just need to put velcro tape on the sides and Bob's your uncle.

Regards

Horst

[kipper]

The best way of carrying it in the field? Is on your flash duh which is mounted on your flash bracket

[avkomp]

not so sure that I would leave the fresnel lens on whilst walking around.
I was careful to not point the flash near the sun when walking but with pointing the lens down, I managed to burn my lens hood a little.

better burners for sure.

Steve

[DaveB]

Try stationary shops, they carry the fresnel lens in different sizes (at least they do here in Singapore, costs around S$1-2) as magnifying lenses for reading books etc. When you get the right size lens you just need to put velcro tape on the sides and Bob's your uncle.

If you read my other post above you'll see that I've already exhausted this option locally in Australia. Can you provide any prices and/or contacts for me to investigate sourcing them from Singapore instead?

[sirhc55]

Not sure but those magnifiers that you can stick on the back of car windows are fresnel so they might be usable

[sheepie]

Looks like a useful piece of equipment. Can we see some of your test shots please - would like to see it in action as well. Thanks!

[birddog114]

Looks like a useful piece of equipment. Can we see some of your test shots please - would like to see it in action as well. Thanks!

Sheepie,
Are you looking for one to use with your 70-300G?

[Oneputt]

I bought mine from Yeosca and it works very well with my 80 - 400 at 400mm. Thirty metres is not a problem for the unit. They are however fiddly to fit securely, but do pack down very small for transportation.

[sheepie]

Sheepie,
Are you looking for one to use with your 70-300G?

No - but it does look like a nice piece of kit which may ultimately form part of my arsenal. I do realise the 70-300G isn't the best, but that doesn't mean I can't still get good results with it

I also think a review that mentions test shots is more useful if some of those shots are included

[avkomp]

sheepie: I considered posting the shots to clarify what I was saying but decided that the worcs would be sufficient. The results were conclusive enough that I could see the answers immediately on the lcd screen on the back of the camera without transferring to a pc.
I decided to not bother keeping a copy of the shots also, as they were nothing shots, accordingly I formatted the card on saturday morning.

Steve

[Glen]

Steve, thanks for such a good review

[sheepie]

I decided to not bother keeping a copy of the shots also, as they were nothing shots, accordingly I formatted the card on saturday morning.

Oh well
Look forward to seeing some of your shots 'in the field' with it then

[blacknstormy]

Just to add on to the discussion - I bought mine from Art Morris (an amazing American bird photographer) in the US - and received it in 5 days..... $44 US : http://www.birdsasart.com/accs.html#BEAMER

I do have a question though - can anyone recommend a flash bracket please???

Rel

[avkomp]

I initially was going to get mine from Art Morris,
having got "birds as art" book by him however the nsn store link given in my first reply was $5 usd cheaper and I also got it in less than 5 days.

As for the bracket, I will be needing one of those also since I am not using the metz 60.
The bracket will get the flash off camera and avoid stuff like red and steel eye in my bird shots.

Steve

[horstflotow]

If you read my other post above you'll see that I've already exhausted this option locally in Australia. Can you provide any prices and/or contacts for me to investigate sourcing them from Singapore instead?[/quote]

I got one from Popular bookstore (http://www.popular.com.sg), it's exactly the same size as the one from my better beamer, I haven't gotten around to putting the velcro on it yet though so not tested yet. I'll try to remember to look at the label (if it's still on there) so you can search their catalogue (stationary section), I just tried and can't find it online.

Also came across this shop on the web (Taiwan-based), they ship to Australia by the look of it. http://www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/Mag ... 298889.htm

Regards

Horst

[kipper]

Blacknstormy, I'm sure Leighton or DaveB will post some shots of me with my gear in the field

I use the Really Right Stuff B91-B Flash Bracket which is designed for Large Tele Primes. With the lens you've got you could probably use the B85-B or B87-B. You can get extender posts aswell but I haven't got one yet.

The other option is to use the Wimberley Flash Bracket system and you'll want the F1-Telephoto Bracket.


Avkomp, as for walking around with it attached. If you walk with your flash pointing towards the ground there is no chance of it burning your SB-800. Starting a scrub fire though on the other hand might be more possible
If I'm doing a long hike I'll dismantle my gear, especially if I know there is nothing between where I'm going and the car from past experience. Otherwise I'd rather be prepared then trying to setup when something lands near you. Past regret/experience has taught me to try and be setup so that you're ready at all times. While a bit OT, and while others here might object to doing so, travelling with a lens setup on your passenger seat is a good idea too. Just make sure that the lens and camera have a bit of padding between the joints to cope with any bumps that may occur when driving. You never know when you might next see a subject along the roadside. If you're not setup then there is a 99% chance it will disappear by the time you have.

[blacknstormy]

Thanks Kipper Dave has posted a few shots - and I believe it is your but in the air???? LOL Will get onto that bracket - the joy of red/eye NOT

thanks again
Rel

[kipper]

Oh god! Not that shot.

[birddog114]

Blacknstormy, I'm sure Leighton or DaveB will post some shots of me with my gear in the field

You're guilty of taking fozzie away into the dark side

I use the Really Right Stuff B91-B Flash Bracket which is designed for Large Tele Primes. With the lens you've got you could probably use the B85-B or B87-B. You can get extender posts aswell but I haven't got one yet.

The other option is to use the Wimberley Flash Bracket system and you'll want the F1-Telephoto Bracket.

Blackstormy, you should get the RRS 87B, 85B is too small for the lens you have and for future use, or Wimberly bracket, it hurts your credit card

While a bit OT, and while others here might object to doing so, travelling with a lens setup on your passenger seat is a good idea too.
Just make sure that the lens and camera have a bit of padding between the joints to cope with any bumps that may occur when driving. You never know when you might next see a subject along the roadside. If you're not setup then there is a 99% chance it will disappear by the time you have.

Kipper, you're right! the gun had to be armed and be ready, bandits is around!

[avkomp]

Avkomp, as for walking around with it attached. If you walk with your flash pointing towards the ground there is no chance of it burning your SB-800. Starting a scrub fire though on the other hand might be more possible

Darryl: I burned my lens hood a little the other day by walking around with the beamer fitted. I was very careful to keep it pointed down because I didnt wish to damage the front of the sb800.
to my surprise I found a slight melt mark on my lens hood.
Accordingly I will walk around with the beamer fitted but the fresnel lens in my pocket.

Steve

[kipper]

Until I get another peice of velcro I'll keep it on as I've had one arm of the bracket fall out