First Better Beamer Shots

dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
edited May 19, 2010 in Wildlife
I have been wanting to try one of these ever since I met Harry and he mentioned them. It took me a few years, but one just arrived and here are my first attempts.

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Dan
http://danielplumer.com/
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Comments

  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited May 18, 2010
    I think you needed to be closer on the last one?

    The Hummer looks like it benefited from the flash.

    The other two are hard to say if the flash helped.

    So...Dan...how did you go about this. (I know what a BB is BTW). I've been tempted to try one. I just hate haulin' more stuff around.
  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited May 18, 2010
    Ric Grupe wrote: »
    I think you needed to be closer on the last one?

    The Hummer looks like it benefited from the flash.

    The other two are hard to say if the flash helped.

    So...Dan...how did you go about this. (I know what a BB is BTW). I've been tempted to try one. I just hate haulin' more stuff around.

    Not sure what you are asking, but it is pretty simple to use, and it folds flat and is not even noticeable in your bag so "hauling" it is a non-issue. Obviously, as you rightly pointed out, I did not need a BB for these shots, but I just wanted to try it out. I think it is a great tool for perched birds and still wildlife, but since you can't rapid burst with a flash it wouldn't work for BIFs. For $38 it is certainly worth having imo. :D:D
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
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  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited May 19, 2010
    I want to get a BB myself, but can't find any here in Aus. Shipping from the US is 40 bucks or so, which kills that idea. Have you used it on a darker day or on subjects that needed it a bit more yet? I agree with Ric, the hummer looks like it helped nicely. thumb.gif
    Mike Helbig

    http://www.michaelhelbigphotography.com
    http://www.thewildpig.blogspot.com
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited May 19, 2010
    dlplumer wrote: »
    Not sure what you are asking,

    What flash unit, what camera, what settings....etc.
  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited May 19, 2010
    Ric Grupe wrote: »
    What flash unit, what camera, what settings....etc.

    Oh! rolleyes1.gif

    580 EX II, with high speed synch turned on.

    7D, ISO 200, AV, F/5.6, Canon 300 mm f/4 with 1.4, super fast shutter speed, .3 EC

    I varied these settings a bit Ric. Clearly I did not need any EC or FEC on these shots, but it was the first time out and I was experimenting. I think the system will do what it is intended to do with ETTL and no compensation. I will try it again when I manage to get out to my favorite preserves. Then I should be able to really test out it's benefits.:D
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
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  • vmaidensvmaidens Registered Users Posts: 16 Big grins
    edited May 19, 2010
    I've found it takes a while to get used to shooting with it, never using a flash much before and then jumping in sure is un-natural feeling, but it certainly did help on the hummer.

    Did you set the zoom to 50 on the flash?
  • Dennis KaczorDennis Kaczor Registered Users Posts: 2,413 Major grins
    edited May 19, 2010
    Dan, as another user mentioned did you set the flash to 50mm, this is a must in order to get the output with the Better Beamer and the flash.

    Be very careful to take the screen off if you are walking around, if you don't you will burn the flash or the camera. I made a cover for mine out of plastic, so that the sun cannot come from the top and damage my gear and keep the gear pointed downwards at all times.

    Other than that you should be fine.

    Images 1 and 3 are a bit to much flash, but in time you will get to know the adjustments that you need to make on the flash unit, these need to be toned down a bit for the output.

    Not sure about the other images, could be that the flash is not set to 50mm though.
    Regards - Dennis

    Dennis Kaczor Photography
  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited May 19, 2010
    vmaidens wrote: »
    I've found it takes a while to get used to shooting with it, never using a flash much before and then jumping in sure is un-natural feeling, but it certainly did help on the hummer.

    Did you set the zoom to 50 on the flash?

    No, I thought that with the 580 EX II, that that was not necessary. ne_nau.gif
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
    Facebook Fan Page
  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited May 19, 2010
    Dennis Kaczor wrote: »
    Dan, as another user mentioned did you set the flash to 50mm, this is a must in order to get the output with the Better Beamer and the flash.

    Be very careful to take the screen off if you are walking around, if you don't you will burn the flash or the camera. I made a cover for mine out of plastic, so that the sun cannot come from the top and damage my gear and keep the gear pointed downwards at all times.

    Other than that you should be fine.

    Images 1 and 3 are a bit to much flash, but in time you will get to know the adjustments that you need to make on the flash unit, these need to be toned down a bit for the output.

    Not sure about the other images, could be that the flash is not set to 50mm though.

    Thanks much Dennis. Will do deal.gif
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
    Facebook Fan Page
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