Better Beamer Really Helps

dlplumer

When I first joined dgrin and came to the wildlife forum, Harry had mentioned the better beamer. I had no idea what it was, and I could hardly capture a duck at that time, let alone do something tricky :rofl A few years later, I am finally using a better beamer, a $29 extension attached to my flash. Set it to 50mm and high speed synch, and you are in business.

Mexican Jay





Acorn Woodpecker

kdog

Nice images, Dan, especially the second. I've had a BB for years, and have never used it.

PGM

Thanks for the tip, Dan. It is inspiring to know that you once could barely capture a duck, given what a terrific photographer you are now. Hope for some of the rest of us! Happy New Year! Pam

Ric Grupe

kdog wrote: »

I've had a BB for years, and have never used it.

Why? More stuff to carry around in the field?

Osprey Whisperer

Glad you have discovered this useful tool. I've heard not everyone has the luxury of Florida sun on a regular basis. I'm not a big fan of branches cutting/passing through the subject's head. I realize this is difficult to avoid but I would have tried to shoot from another position to avoid this cutting through the head. Keep 'em coming.

DsrtVW

I have used my BB and find it useful, But I mostly use just my SB 900 I have tried it both ways the BB gives me a little extra reach but most time4s I can get away with just the flash set to 200mm. Especially if it is windy the BB causes to much shake.
I love that Jay it is a beauty

sapphire73

Gorgeous photos. The composition, colors, and uncluttered background of the Mexican jay photo really appeal to me.

I am just starting to use flash a bit more in my photography and will try to remember the tip you are passing on about the better beamer. Thanks.

jwear

Glen shoots with his all the time me never but I do have 2 of them
If you are shooting a long lens get the adapter that moves it forward make all the difference in the world and when you get the flash just right the color of your subject will look right

dlplumer

Osprey Whisperer wrote: »

Glad you have discovered this useful tool. I've heard not everyone has the luxury of Florida sun on a regular basis. I'm not a big fan of branches cutting/passing through the subject's head. I realize this is difficult to avoid but I would have tried to shoot from another position to avoid this cutting through the head. Keep 'em coming.

DsrtVW wrote: »

I have used my BB and find it useful, But I mostly use just my SB 900 I have tried it both ways the BB gives me a little extra reach but most time4s I can get away with just the flash set to 200mm. Especially if it is windy the BB causes to much shake.
I love that Jay it is a beauty

Thanks guys:D

JimJ

dlplumer wrote: »

Thanks guys:D

Dan, I had one for years and it stayed in the case but last year I started using it and it made a world of differnce. It really depends on the situation as to where I use the BB but last spring during migration on the Louisiana coast with warblers it gave the extal fill I needed in the shady undergrowth of the costal cheniers.

Jim

kdog

Ric Grupe wrote: »

Why? More stuff to carry around in the field?

Mostly because I rarely shoot birds any more. Then when the opportunity arises, I never think of it.

dlplumer

sapphire73 wrote: »

Gorgeous photos. The composition, colors, and uncluttered background of the Mexican jay photo really appeal to me.

I am just starting to use flash a bit more in my photography and will try to remember the tip you are passing on about the better beamer. Thanks.

Thanks much, Saphire:D

jwear wrote: »

Glen shoots with his all the time me never but I do have 2 of them
If you are shooting a long lens get the adapter that moves it forward make all the difference in the world and when you get the flash just right the color of your subject will look right

Why do you have 2 that you do not use

jwear

dlplumer wrote: »

Thanks much, Saphire:D



Why do you have 2 that you do not use

given one and bought one but I do not like the effect on the eyes and color change plus it does not work well without the bracket to move it forward on the 500 lens . That said Glen gets great results with the settings he uses but for me the 15 % of the time it would help me I love the 85% were I just have fun

Allen

jwear wrote: »

given one and bought one but I do not like the effect on the eyes and color change plus it does not work well without the bracket to move it forward on the 500 lens . That said Glen gets great results with the settings he uses but for me the 15 % of the time it would help me I love the 85% were I just have fun

I've had good luck getting rid of space eye after moving it to the high
forward bracket. The color change is a problem if the bird is too close, I tried
flash white balance some time ago and it seemed to get more correct colors.
Red is the worst, with flash it goes orange, haven't found a way to correct
that yet. Ever seen an orange male Scarlet Tanager, really bad?

... and how can those little brackets cost so much?

Edit: Oops, really nice shots Dan. Got side tracked.:D

deb22

That woodpecker is wonderful. Very nice shot.

dlplumer

Allen wrote: »

I've had good luck getting rid of space eye after moving it to the high
forward bracket. The color change is a problem if the bird is too close, I tried
flash white balance some time ago and it seemed to get more correct colors.
Red is the worst, with flash it goes orange, haven't found a way to correct
that yet. Ever seen an orange male Scarlet Tanager, really bad?

... and how can those little brackets cost so much?

Edit: Oops, really nice shots Dan. Got side tracked.:D

Thanks Al

deb22 wrote: »

That woodpecker is wonderful. Very nice shot.

Thank you. Deb