Post your best bird shots!

[Raid]

That guy was certainly not giving you correct information. I would doubt he actually used one in the field. It is a plastic fresnel lens that focuses your flash at a much farther distance, so it is nice for small objects like birds. Because it focuses the light it allows you to use lower power settings on your speedlite and thus it recycles much faster and the batteries last much longer too. Using it with the flash set to a low power allows you to fill in shadows and get nice even light on your subject....it works really really well.

Hi Joel
Have looked at the Better Beamer a number of times. The problem I have is knowing how to get the best out of it. I have done a lot of searching for how to information but all I have found it either too confusing or too simple. As I only have a 7D, EF 70-300 L & 430EX, most of the info I found related to 300+ lenses. Although I have even seen a pro (1D & EF 70-200 2.8) photographing a music festival using one.

Is there how too information with the unit? or would you be able to direct me to a how to guide?

Tony

[Joel Eade]

Hi Joel
Have looked at the Better Beamer a number of times. The problem I have is knowing how to get the best out of it. I have done a lot of searching for how to information but all I have found it either too confusing or too simple. As I only have a 7D, EF 70-300 L & 430EX, most of the info I found related to 300+ lenses. Although I have even seen a pro (1D & EF 70-200 2.8) photographing a music festival using one.

Is there how too information with the unit? or would you be able to direct me to a how to guide?

Tony

Tony,

It comes with an instruction sheet and it really isn't too complicated. I have used one with my 430 EXII and 300mm lens many times, so it will work with your gear.

Basically you set your flash zoom to 50mm, for fill flash you can use a low ETTL setting like -2 1/3 stops....take a test image and adjust exposure from there. I shoot in manual mode but it works equally well in AV or TV mode. You can also put your flash in manual mode on a very low setting such as 1/16 or 1/32 power and use it that way as well. Just a little experimentation and you will have it working in no time

I think if you read any tutorial on "Fill Flash" it will be applicable to using the Better Beamer check this out....

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/re...r_beamer.shtml

[bob williams]

Well, I just posted my first blog post on h-bird photography. This post was all about ghosting in your images and hopefully some ideas on how to prevent it. Take a look and tell me what you think and please feel free to leave comments on the blog.

http://rwilliamsimaging.com/blog

Bob

[Joel Eade]

Well, I just posted my first blog post on h-bird photography. This post was all about ghosting in your images and hopefully some ideas on how to prevent it. Take a look and tell me what you think and please feel free to leave comments on the blog.

http://rwilliamsimaging.com/blog

Bob

I reade your post and like it very much. It is clear and well written with excellent supporting illustrations. I tried to leave a comment but I couldn't figure out how to become registered?

[bob williams]

I reade your post and like it very much. It is clear and well written with excellent supporting illustrations. I tried to leave a comment but I couldn't figure out how to become registered?

Joel, There is a little tiny "Login" hot link at the bottom. But I changed the parameters so you don't have to be registered to comment. The "Leave Comment" link is just under the title of the first post.

Thanks.

Also, For those that have read the blog, I have three questions:

1. Do you know what ghosting is?
2. Do you know what causes ghosting?
3. Did you get some ideas on how to prevent ghosting?

If a reader can answer those 3 questions, then I am happy with the material. If not, let me know where I am weak and I will gladly correct it.

Thanks again.

[conropl]

Also, For those that have read the blog, I have three questions:

1. Do you know what ghosting is?
2. Do you know what causes ghosting?
3. Did you get some ideas on how to prevent ghosting?

If a reader can answer those 3 questions, then I am happy with the material. If not, let me know where I am weak and I will gladly correct it.

Thanks again.

I thought it was clear and well illustrated on all three points.