Flash/Better Beamer and other thoughts ..

jaybie · #1 (**permalink**) 14-11-2011, 02:53 PM

I managed to get a couple of images today of a Sparrowhawk in the garden. It managed to park itself in the darkest part it could find and as a result the ISO went up to 1600 with the consequent noise issues. This image is acceptable for what it is but it started me wondering about using flash.

The bird was about 15m away and would probably been out of range of my Nikon SB700 hence the thought about the Better Beamer (or similar). Does anybody use a flash enhancer and if so what's your experience of using them?

It does however introduce the question of birding with flash and I suppose the jury is out on that one

Regards, JohnB

artdemole · #2 (**permalink**) 14-11-2011, 02:56 PM

The shadow gives the shot a greater effect which would not be the same with a flash.

matt_xyz · #3 (**permalink**) 14-11-2011, 03:42 PM

the Better Beamer is quite effective but you have to use it sparingly so the effect of the flash isn't too obvious. The flash also needs to be on a bracket that is raised above the camera/lens so that it's not directly in the line of the lens. Otherwise you get terrible 'blue eye' which is the bird equivalent of red eye in humans.

I agree a touch of flash would have been helpful here.

Matt

Jim Ford · #4 (**permalink**) 14-11-2011, 03:52 PM

I've read somewhere that you have to be careful not to point them at the Sun, otherwise you can melt the flash head!

Jim

jaybie · #5 (**permalink**) 14-11-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

I've read somewhere that you have to be careful not to point them at the Sun, otherwise you can melt the flash head!

Jim

Oops! Had a google and came up with this - something to think about

Better Beamer Melt my Flash ~ Birds and Nature Photography @ Raub

Matt, I was wondering if I could have got a bit more definition into the feathers by using a flash to fill in the darker areas.

JohnB

matt_xyz · #6 (**permalink**) 14-11-2011, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaybie

Matt, I was wondering if I could have got a bit more definition into the feathers by using a flash to fill in the darker areas.

JohnB

Yes, I think you could have John. But it would be very easy to over do it and to make the flash look too obvious.

Matt

The_Moaner · #7 (**permalink**) 18-11-2011, 09:46 PM

Up the Exposure a bit in Photoshop or whatever you use and it becomes brighter. No need for flash. Good shot. Well Done

momji1971 · #8 (**permalink**) 19-11-2011, 04:20 PM

I use the better beamer myself, here and in florida. On a bracket as mentioned but blue eye can be fixed in ps.

I always dial the flash down and use it as fill it would have helped the bird 'pop' a bit and lifted the shadows.

Wuold add if you are already worried about noise then trying to sort exopsure in photoshop is not the way to go as this will only increase the problem.

The beamer works the same way a lighthouse window works. It will magnify the sun enough to burn your flash pointed directly at it. However, its held on by velcro and I remove it when walking around.

Have used it for two years and even in the heat of florida have had no problems.

regards.
Stu.

jaybie · #9 (**permalink**) 19-11-2011, 08:39 PM

Thanks Dennis and Stu

It's all a balancing act between between ISO, noise, sharpness etc. isn't it? I'm not too bothered by noise but would have liked a bit more definition in the feathers in the images I took.

I've been playing with the SB700 and have been surprised, it is more powerful than I thought but so easy to overdo it as Matt pointed out.

JohnB