Use of better beamer with flash

Massimo Mei PRO

11 years ago

Hello,

there is someone who has experice about the use of better beamer and flash settings? Lens I'm going to use is 500 or 700.

Thank you

Alfred Forns CREW

11 years ago — Moderator

HI Massimo

We both have used it extensively, it gives you just over two f stops of light. Useful with anything over 300mm. For manual calculations can figure two times.

Our main use for the extender was obtaining a catchlight on birds, if you try to illuminate birds, they look sort of strange. Keep in mind your shutter speed, when going into hight sync mode, at five hundred you half the power, at one thousand its one fourth. Power does take a big hit !!

Also it is a fresnel lens, so do not point it at the sun, will get a burned flash. Just about everyone using one has had that occurring :)

Normally the flash will be pointing down slightly, need to keep it level, best I've seen to do is using an elastic band women used for making pony tails. Seems to be the right diameter and do the trick ... also can get in many colors :)

Oh, most important, do set the flash gun at 50 mm, if you set it at less will get a narrower beam, set it for tele and will have a wider beam. The inverse of what you would expect.

al

Massimo Mei PRO

11 years ago

HI Massimo

We both have used it extensively, it gives you just over two f stops of light. Useful with anything over 300mm. For manual calculations can figure two times.

Our main use for the extender was obtaining a catchlight on birds, if you try to illuminate birds, they look sort of strange. Keep in mind your shutter speed, when going into hight sync mode, at five hundred you half the power, at one thousand its one fourth. Power does take a big hit !!

Also it is a fresnel lens, so do not point it at the sun, will get a burned flash. Just about everyone using one has had that occurring :)

Normally the flash will be pointing down slightly, need to keep it level, best I've seen to do is using an elastic band women used for making pony tails. Seems to be the right diameter and do the trick ... also can get in many colors :)

Oh, most important, do set the flash gun at 50 mm, if you set it at less will get a narrower beam, set it for tele and will have a wider beam. The inverse of what you would expect.

al

Thank you Alfred,

I'll try to use it in the middle dark with bears, surely I'll have just one shot available, better then nothing even if somebody told me they are not disturbed by the light, lets see.

Do you have an idea about the distance that can be reached wit the light?

Max

Alfred Forns CREW

11 years ago — Moderator

HI Massimo

We both have used it extensively, it gives you just over two f stops of light. Useful with anything over 300mm. For manual calculations can figure two times.

Our main use for the extender was obtaining a catchlight on birds, if you try to illuminate birds, they look sort of strange. Keep in mind your shutter speed, when going into hight sync mode, at five hundred you half the power, at one thousand its one fourth. Power does take a big hit !!

Also it is a fresnel lens, so do not point it at the sun, will get a burned flash. Just about everyone using one has had that occurring :)

Normally the flash will be pointing down slightly, need to keep it level, best I've seen to do is using an elastic band women used for making pony tails. Seems to be the right diameter and do the trick ... also can get in many colors :)

Oh, most important, do set the flash gun at 50 mm, if you set it at less will get a narrower beam, set it for tele and will have a wider beam. The inverse of what you would expect.

al

Thank you Alfred,

I'll try to use it in the middle dark with bears, surely I'll have just one shot available, better then nothing even if somebody told me they are not disturbed by the light, lets see.

Do you have an idea about the distance that can be reached wit the light?

Max

..... yes, depending on the flash. You can check the power by using the guide number. Easiest is going online and asking for a search. I'm sure there is a table for distance.

Birds do not react wo flash, I don't think I would try it with a bear myself. Would ask for someone knowledgeable before trying. The times we have done bears in Alaska were told not to use the flash.

al

Massimo Mei PRO

11 years ago

my flash is canon 600exrt given without beamer for 30 m, I have to make some tests during next days if it stops raining...

I'll use it only from a safe place Alfred, not when walking and by the way, somebody armed will be with me... just in case ;-)

Alfred Forns CREW

11 years ago — Moderator

my flash is canon 600exrt given without beamer for 30 m, I have to make some tests during next days if it stops raining...

I'll use it only from a safe place Alfred, not when walking and by the way, somebody armed will be with me... just in case ;-)

... will get double the 30m !!!!! If you need more reach, can cheat and set the flash for 35mm, narrower beam :)

For bears, strongly recommend agains using, was just recalling conversation last time I was in Wyoming doing wildlife and had nothing to do with regulation ... just safety !!!

btw if you want to shoot in the dark, get a Sony A7s with a Canon adapter :) Only manual focus but for wildlife is adequate ..... posted some at 12,800 which looked very good. At 3200 there is no need for noise reduction :)

al