Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

The Better Beamer is an awesome accessory if you are shooting wildlife. The unit is light and quick to setup on your flash. It extends the range of the flash dramatically. I have captured images of birds forty feet away and had perfect exposure due to the Better Beamer.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

This extender does exactly what it says it does. Its easy to set up on flash and fits perfectly. Definitely extends the flash a great distance without getting that "Flashy" look as long as you balance the ambient light. I think the construction is great - solid enough to serve its purpose and light weight for carrying in camera bag.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

I was taking bird shots recently, and was talking to a fellow birder/photographer. We dicussed how early morning sunlight often back-lights birds so that you only get silhouettes and loose color details. He mentioned the Better Beamer. The premise is that a magnifier extends the reach of your flash for birding shots, eliminating shadows when photographing birds at distances where they are in dark shadows. It seemed too good to be true, but at $ , I figured I had nothing to lose.It looks like a flimsy affair when it arrives, but it does hold up to moderate abuse when mounted on your flash, which takes no time to do.I could not get over how well this thing works; it beams your flash's light magnificent distances. I'm including a picture of two loons I took from my boat recently; they were at approximately 70 feet, and were back lit by the sun. Normally, they would be two black silhouettes, but here you can see color detail very well. Also, a male hummingbird at my feeder, which would normally be a underexposed now looks like he's wearing sequins. Amazing.A great little gadget; affordable, and it really does work.A word of caution! MAKE SURE YOU PUT THE MAGNIFIER IN ITS POUCH WHEN NOT IN USE! If the magnifier is exposed to sunlight, it could potentially start a fire the same way any magnifying glass can do using sunlight.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

This product is easy to pack (fits into flat case) and east to attach to any speedlite. Works great for making feathers pop when taking birding photographs with a telephoto lens. Very affordable and useful attachment.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

It does what it is supposed to do. Small and easy to use. Detailed information on how to use it whould have been helpful - camera and flash settings whould have been very helpful. For the cost a few additonal pages should have been included.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

This was the one item on my list that I marked as a must have before departing to Tanzania for wildlife photography.Using flash really helps to bring out the detail in pictures. Being able to use flash from further away is a great advantage!I've done some tests with it to be sure I understand how it concentrates the light from the flash. Basically you get a rectangle of concentrated light further away. I gave the product a real life test today at a sea-bird reserve. It went really well. I was able to use flash from a distance (with a 500mm lens).To be honest, I don't know how I managed without it. If I was looking to make improvements to it, I'd look at more of an enclosure to capture stray light and try to help direct that too.Excellent product, no problems to report. Speedy delivery via international mail.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

I plan to use this on a Costa Rica bird photo trip. I tested it with a Canon 580EX II in my backyard and had no problem reach any point where my 400mm lens pointed. I think it also reduces flash time since birds do not notice the flash at all. I can take several shots with the flash without disturbing the birds at all.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

I used this in conjunciton with a Canon 580EX mounted on a 5D mkII with a 560mm telephoto. Capturing wildlife in the dark canopy of Costa Rica jungles was greatly aided by this accessory. Fill flash at 150 feet was not an issue. It was easy to install and re-install. Resonably surdy, if rather ungainly looking.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

I bought the extender to get better reach for bird photography with my 580 speedlite and 100-400mm lens. I did some initial testing and it does increase the light when compared against the bare flash but I'm not convinced it makes enough of a difference. I still use it in certain situations but I probably wouldn't recommend it.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

I used it on a SB-700 with a 300mm and a 2x tele-extender. I was able to see 'green eye' on deer at 500 yards.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

bought it for my friend. it was lightweight but bulky product.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

Adds very little weight and takes up very little space in the bag. Extends and narrows flash just as advertised.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

The Better Beamer has opened up a new world in my Wildlife photography!! Birds that lurked in the shadows are now in beautiful light!!! Thanks B&H for selling such a wonderful product at such an incredible price!!!

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

I use the Flash Extender to shoot wildlife, especially birds, amphibians, reptiles, in low light situations or to be able to focus additional light directly on the subject which is at some distance. Provides more directed light on the subject that a normal flash cannot do.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

I use this over my Canon 580EXII and find its good light source for the birds at a distance.
In low light conditions where you are tempted to use Higher ISO, with the better beamer you can keep the lower ISO and use the light to get better image quality provided you learn to use the Flash power well.
It does take some time to get used to and also to find what is the best setting for you. There is also a need to judge the distance better.
All in all a value for money product which fits well on the flash.
Not heavy at all.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

This is a must for small bird photography. Allows you to get shots under the forest canopy or shots of back-lit birds that would otherwise be impossible.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

Well, it does extend the flash range as expected but IMHO it too primitive - it should have been constructed to minimize the risk of setting things a flame. Should have had some kind of build in shade for the fresnel lens. For this reason I've ticked of unreliable as a con and only given it 3 stars.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

I've seen other photographers use these and seen the results. That is why I had to buy one. It's easy to use and really focuses the light on those birds I like to get that are in the trees.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

Work will with my 400mm lens
If you birds & wildlife photography? you must have that thing in your bag
some photos need to fill light. and this product will extend your flash light. that's all.

Comments about Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use with Telephoto Lenses:

Very helpful with bird photography.