Caysnowman Loc: MN & SC

I prefer not to get a SB 910 because I don't use flash much but would like to experiment with it now & then primarily as fill flash outdoors, possibly with something like a Better Beamer.

The articles I have read claim that it is an acceptable product with a great price; virtually none of the "testers" used it outdoors except for weddings. Per the specs, the 910 is a tad less powerful (if the specs be accurate) but zooms to 200 mm whereas the 565 zooms to about 105 mm and is a bit more restricted in head rotation. The key factor is that it is about $400 cheaper.

If anyone has used this flash in a wildlife scenario, I'd appreciate to hear your opinion of it.

Thanks,

Bill

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

It works fine. And even better with a BetterBeamer.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

Explain wildlife scenario??? You will need to be pretty close to wild life to use a flash.

Caysnowman Loc: MN & SC

Thanks Gene

Bill

Caysnowman Loc: MN & SC

[quote=Capture48]Explain wildlife scenario??? You will need to be pretty close to wild life to use a flash.[/

Black bear cubs in a tree early in the AM blend into the background, a flash will make them more visible. Ditto with birds in trees or any other critter in the shade. Something similar to a Better Beamer will throw the light from the flash a long way because it combines a Fresnel lens (think lighthouse) with a housing that directs all the light through th lens.

Bill

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

[quote=Caysnowman][quote=Capture48]Explain wildlife scenario??? You will need to be pretty close to wild life to use a flash.[/

Black bear cubs in a tree early in the AM blend into the background, a flash will make them more visible. Ditto with birds in trees or any other critter in the shade. Something similar to a Better Beamer will throw the light from the flash a long way because it combines a Fresnel lens (think lighthouse) with a housing that directs all the light through th lens.

Bill[/quote]

Throwing light through the lens.....I think not! I will admit I've never used one of these but the inverse square law still applies. Think football stadium. There is a reason whey they have 50 or so of those big powerful lights. Looks to me like it won't do anything more than a 10 degree grid would do.

In any case I wish you the best luck. The Yongnuo flash is a great deal no matter how much you use it. Just make sure you buy the TTL one if you are not comfortable shooting flash in manual mode. I use these in my photobooth, flash 500 times a night every saturday night.....Well almost every saturday.

TLConner Loc: Haslett, Michigan

Use of a flash for nature photography is controversial. You might check out this website for more information: http://www.naturescapes.net/articles/health/flash-photography-and-the-visual-system-of-birds-and-animals/

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Actually the inverse square law still applies. Big difference is that with a bare tube - light is being emitted in all directions. With a speedlight, the light is "focused" forward, through the plastic fresnel lens in the flash head. Those flash units that "focus" the flash are really just narrowing the beam by concentrating it, as opposed to a snoot with just takes the light and blocks off the light. This is why the flash has different guide numbers at different zoom levels with no change in power output. A second fresnel, like a better beamer, further concentrates the light, providing an even higher guide number through its focusing, and it is not unusual to get decent fill at distances beyond 60 ft with a powerful speedlight set at max zoom. And it still abides by the inverse square law.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Well and clearly put, Gene!

Dave

Caysnowman Loc: MN & SC

I don't intend to do full power flash at night so I think I'll be in compliance with Dr Olivera's recommendations. Interesting in that he treated my dog for eye problems some time back.

Bill

Caysnowman Loc: MN & SC

Well I personally hesitate to lug enough batteries to power those :shock: .

To me it is one of those situations where the end result is not perfect but it is measurably better than the current solution. Here is a link that explains it better: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/better_beamer.shtml.

Thanks for the input on the Youngnuo.

Bill

Caysnowman Loc: MN & SC

+1

Bill

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Thanks - I use a better beamer for birds - my two biggest issues is that I have to limit my shutter speeds to 1/250 and if the little sucker moves during exposure I get double images. The other issue is that if there are any twigs, leaves or crap in the foreground it will appear in the final image as brightly lit. Otherwise, it is great as a fill tool and if I have an assistant holding the flash off camera for me, it does create very nice lighting.