BETTER BEAMER - flash extender + 2 stops!

[whom]

Hi guys

I thought I would post about yet another gadget I have. I think this one is a "better beamer" but I think they are made by other names too. Basically it is a "fresnel lens" (much like the one on the front of the flash) but held away from the flash focussing the beam. I'll let pictures do the talking:

It is huge but the lens is detachable from the side brackets:

Fisheye without:

Fisheye with:

A bit of an iffy pattern at 100mm (full frame):

But gives two stops at 280mm. Flash set at 105mm manual power. Only the ISO changed. See histograms.

Without:

With (can see the pattern is still a bit of an issue):

Steve

 

[BeatenPathPhoto]

Hi guys

I thought I would post about yet another gadget I have. I think this one is a "better beamer" but I think they are made by other names too. Basically it is a "fresnel lens" (much like the one on the front of the flash) but held away from the flash focussing the beam. I'll let pictures do the talking:

It is huge but the lens is detachable from the side brackets:

Fisheye without:

Fisheye with:

A bit of an iffy pattern at 100mm (full frame):

But gives two stops at 280mm. Flash set at 105mm manual power. Only the ISO changed. See histograms.

Without:

With (can see the pattern is still a bit of an issue):

Steve

I'm lost...what's the point of this lol. Not trying to be rude I'm just confused.

 

[whom]

I'm lost...what's the point of this lol. Not trying to be rude I'm just confused.

It doubles the "guide number". My 430EX is now a 860EX.

Or it takes 25% the recharge time.

Or you can use high speed sync where normally it would lack power.


I suppose the main use is for birds and animals in trees where it's pretty dark.

 

[Canon Bob]

Another point to mention, Steve, is the spread of the light. You used the flash zoom set at 105mm and this typically replicates the AoV of a 300mm lens. If you widen the flash zoom setting then the "Beamer" focusses the light more accutely (with slightly less power).....I use the widest setting when shooting at 1200mm (600/4 + 2x).
The Fresnel appears to have a focal length of 200mm BTW

Bob

 

[whom]

Another point to mention, Steve, is the spread of the light. You used the flash zoom set at 105mm and this typically replicates the AoV of a 300mm lens. If you widen the flash zoom setting then the "Beamer" focusses the light more accutely (with slightly less power).....I use the widest setting when shooting at 1200mm (600/4 + 2x).
The Fresnel appears to have a focal length of 200mm BTW

Bob

Hi Bob

I did have a test and yes, the spread is reduced. My longest lens at the moment is 280mm....

Here are the results with the flash set to 24 28 35 50 70 (80 removed because of 6 picture limit) and 105mm (I think those are the steps) The settings are manual I think so the brightness is representative. The focal length of the lens is 140mm.

It is very hard to tell which is best. I think to my eyes 70/80mm look about right for maximum centre power. I think the instructions say it should be set to 50mm. Like you say, the wider angles seem to give a better overall coverage for 300mm+.

Thanks for the response Bob, it's nice to hear of someone using it. I imagine it doesn't look so disproportionate with 1200mm like it does on my 280mm... haha! Fancy posting up a picture next time you use it? Also, it would be interesting to see any pictures taken with the rig.

Steve

 

[Canon Bob]

Here's one or two Steve.....it gives the option to underexpose the background and provide isolation from messy features.

Bob

 

[whom]

Very nice Bob but I think that third one is just a cardboard cutout... haha

I've owned the extender for a while but have rarely had a lens long enough to warrant using it. I'm after a 100-400mm so it might see more use then.

 

[BeatenPathPhoto]

Here's one or two Steve.....it gives the option to underexpose the background and provide isolation from messy features.

Bob

Ok sweet got it. Pics look great btw. Learn somthing new everyday!