Better Beamer for macro? I've been reading about the Better Beamer flash output booster for birds and other wildlife and was wondering if anyone has used it for macro. It seems that if...

gym Loc: Athens, Georgia

I've been reading about the Better Beamer flash output booster for birds and other wildlife and was wondering if anyone has used it for macro. It seems that if it increases the flash output of your flash unit, then with proper diffusion over the front, one could generate more light for tight closeups in shadier conditions.
Thoughts?

Here's a link to it on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/X-Tender-Better-Beamer-Booster-AF500FTZ/dp/B000SLIJWM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1363787255&sr=8-2&keywords=better+beamer+flash+extender

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

The Better Beamer is just a fresnel lens in front of the flash unit. It does not boost the light output, but does refocus the angle of light exiting the flash unit so you don't have the same falloff ratio you would with the flash itself.
A unit like that would intensify the shadows for macro, and not soften the light which is what you want to do with a diffuser.

gym Loc: Athens, Georgia

Bozsik wrote:

The Better Beamer is just a fresnel lens in front of the flash unit. It does not boost the light output, but does refocus the angle of light exiting the flash unit so you don't have the same falloff ratio you would with the flash itself.
A unit like that would intensify the shadows for macro, and not soften the light which is what you want to do with a diffuser.

Thanks Bozsik,
I've never used one - in fact I'd never HEARD OF one until I saw a reference to it in another thread.
I guess I'll stick to my homemade diffuser.
:)

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Bozsik is correct. I use my Better Beamer to narrow my Nikon SB-600 speedlight illumination pattern, to better match my telephoto photography. I use the Better Beamer for bird photography, especially hummingbirds with 300-mm or 500-mm lenses.

gym Loc: Athens, Georgia

Nikonian72 wrote:

Bozsik is correct. I use my Better Beamer to narrow my Nikon SB-600 speedlight illumination pattern, to better match my telephoto photography. I use the Better Beamer for bird photography, especially hummingbirds with 300-mm or 500-mm lenses.

When you use this unit for birds and wildlife, does the flash startle the subject so that you only get one shot, or is it more 'non intrusive'?

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

gym wrote:

When you use this unit for birds and wildlife, does the flash startle the subject so that you only get one shot, or is it more 'non intrusive'?

I am usually able to take a few repeat photographs. I am yards away from subject. The downside is the capacitor recharge time. In macro-photography, I am used to rapid recharge due proximity to subject. Long distance speedlight often takes full recharge time.