Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)A teleflash accessory like this one focuses the beam emitted by an electronic flash so that it carries farther and consequently illuminates subjects at a greater distance from the camera. Normally, even the most versatile flash unit is adjustable to no greater telephoto length than 85mm. or so. If one is taking bird photos (for example) using a long telephoto lens, however, much of the light emitted by the flash ends up wasted. Using a mounted fresnel lens, the "Better Beamer" creates a more narrow beam of flash-light, which consequently is effective at greater distances than the flash would reach otherwise.
The big advantage of the Better Beamer design is that the unit can be disassembled to fold flat when not in use. This makes it convenient to carry in the field. With a little practice it can be mounted on the head of one's flash unit fairly quickly.
When using this device to photograph birds or animals, it's really best to find a way to mount the flash at least some small distance up and away from the camera body. If the flash is simply attached via the camera's hot shoe, there is a danger that the photos will exhibit the animal equivalent of "redeye," which can turn out white, blue, or green, depending on the animal's physiology. This can usually be corrected in post-processing, but it's really better to find a way to avoid the problem altogether. There are various kinds of off-camera flash brackets made for teleflash; these are made by Wimberley, Really Right Stuff, and Kirk Enterprises, to name just a few companies.
It's also best not to use teleflash as the sole source of illumination for a bird or animal photo, if this can possibly be avoided. Photos that are lit only by flash look artificial. The teleflash ideally serves as in-fill light that also creates a bit of sparkle in the animal's eye(s). Mastering the art of combining ambient and flash illumination takes practice and sometimes a bit of luck. If one sets up exposure to allow generously for natural light in a low-light situation, there is a danger of image "ghosting," i.e., the animal might move a bit during the time the shutter is open, creating a double or blurred image. But if one using high shutter-speed synch to eliminate ghosting, the photo might end up appearing as though it were taken at night (not necessarily what one wants). This is a craft that requires practice and judgment.
Overall, the Better Beamer currently is THE standard unit for teleflash photography, and I recommend these units highly. However, as the subject line for this review indicates, the FX-3 is NOT ideally designed for the Nikon SB-800 and SB-600 flash units. There is an FX-4 unit that fits these flash heads nicely. You can create small cardboard shims to make non-fitting units function in the field (I did this for a while), but why not buy the correct unit to begin with?
Click Here to see more reviews about: The Flash X-Tender (Better Beamer) FX-4 Flash Output Booster for the Nikon SB-600 & SB-800 Flashes with Lenses 300mm and Longer.
Now there is an easy way to have the extra "flash power" you need in the field. The Flash X-Tender packs flat, weighs less than 3 ounces and sets up in 30 seconds and your flash output is extended a minimum of 2 full f-stops! Bring your birds and animals to life with an eye highlight. Used and praised by nature photographers world-wide.When used with TTL (Through-The-Lens) flash metering, exposure is automatically handled by your camera and flash, and no special compensation is required.
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