missletoe Loc: Tujunga, CA

I go up to the Sierras a few times every year. The place I stay at has their dumpsters raided by the bears most every night. I'd like to get a flash strong enough to take some pictures....say from 35 to 50 feet away (I'll be in my SUV). Anything like that out there that won't cost a arm and a leg. Or should I use my headlights instead? I've thought of setting up a slave in a nearby tree. Anyone have any thoughts??????

Thanks

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

I have both the 430exII and 580exII and the range is good.
I took some night shots at @ 75' that came out pretty good.

missletoe Loc: Tujunga, CA

this might be a silly question but who makes them and how much are they

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I would suggest an attachment called the "Better Beamer", it will give you great results regardless of the strobe you mount it on.

missletoe Loc: Tujunga, CA

better Beamer isn't that work what BMW tries to do every year. again who makes it and how much

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

A better beamer only works if you have a flash to attach to it.
The speedlites are Canon. I only buy Canon brand so I know everything is compatible.
Check the Canon site:
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/page.action

missletoe Loc: Tujunga, CA

thank you very much a check this site out

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I use a $40 Better Beamer to extend illumination of my speedlight. You can quite reasonably rent a Canon speedlight for a weekend.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0&_nkw=better+beamer&_sacat=625&_from=R40

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

What range do you get with the Beamer ??

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I can internally adjust the illumination angle of my SB-600, to match lenses of 24-mm, 35-mm, 50-mm, 70-mm, and 85-mm focal length lenses. The Better Beamer will narrow illumination pattern even more tightly. I have used an SB-600/Beamer combination at night with a 300-mm lens, successfully illuminating a subject at 100-feet, with TTL exposure, and no light vignetting. I have not tested nor trialed for maximum distance.

Shuttergram Loc: Colorado

I also have the 580exii, and 430exii. (They are canon, and by using canon kites with canon cams, you can set up a lot of settings in the camera, while the speedlite is on the hotshoe. They are great lites.)
Your "arm and leg" prices are relevant to what you can spend. I found a 430 from B&h a while back for only $209. The price was half of the usual going price, and it was brand new. You cannot use the 430 as a master, but functions alone or as a wireless slave quite well. The 580 can be used as master, or alone, or slave. They are quite pricey, so I bought a used one for $400. They run about $600 if you can find them new, but they have been dc'd, because their new model, the 600 is out. The average price right now is about $600. (All of those models are with an exii, or with the 600 ex. That indicates their ability to use the ettl (through the lens auto settings as well as manual. Canon does make a great lite. It's an investment. The lites have a range of about 105' according to their info, will work in auto zoom if you use a zoom, as well as manual. I encourage you to read about the lites online. Nikon makes their own brand, but you wouldn't get the coordination off the in camera settings if you use theirs with a canon camera. Hope this helps.

sportyman140 Loc: Juliette, GA

Hi Missletoe,

I would use the Yongnuo YN 565EX it is ETTL and will help you with your settings on flash much easier than a full manual flash. It is also a fraction of the cost for Canons models. I shoot with the T3i and use the YN 560II & the YN 565EX ETTL on my T3i. They work great too. When you get into the Flash scene I would recommend that you invest in the "eneloop NEW 2000mAh Typical, 1900mAh Minimum, 1500 cycle, 4 Pack AA, Ni-MH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries with 4 Position Charger" because you will need them. They pay for themselves in the long run. I use them all the time.

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

I also have the Canon 430 EXII and the 580 EXII. They're excellent strobes. I think I read somewhere that the first two numbers of the model number are the guide numbers for the unit (the higher the number, the stronger the flash).

photonphysicist Loc: Texas

Canon

photography nut

I have bought used Canon flashes including the 430 EX, 550 EX, 580 EX, 580EXII, and luckily have had no problems. They seem to work well and I have saved a bunch of money. I used them all on a Canon 40D and 50D. You might also want to explore wireless flash techniques but that will require more equipment and more money but there are numerous budget approaches versus the Pocket Wizards. Once again, try the used market and wait patiently. Deals do appear but research what you want beforehand, so when it comes down to handing over the cash, you know what you are getting. When I first bought my used Canon 430 EX flashes, I thought I was buying 430 EX "II" flashes at such a great price. In turns out I made the mistake of not reading the ad close enough. I still got two good flashes at a good price, not a super deal. I didn't realize there was a 430 EX model. Lesson learned, "do my research"