BB safety

[Rod Wiley]

I'm always getting other photogs asking me about the card on my Better Beamer and thought I'd share this idea with you guys. I've melted a couple of flashes and had a friend nearly set his truck on fire when the sun came in a window and caught his BB and started to melt the floor mat. I see guys setting the camera gear on the front seat of their car with the BB in the open. Some day at the restaurant they will here someone say, Hay look out there the cab of that guys truck is on fire!

This has worked for me and is very cheap, a word you don't hear much in photography. Just take an index card and tape it to the front of the magnifying glass, the tape will act as a hinge and a clip to fasten it to the plastic. If you cut the card so that it's about 3/8 shorter than the plastic magnifier you will be able to tape the card on over top the Velcro and still be about to disassemble the unit and leave the card in place. Don't wrap the tape around the corner over the Velcro or you won't be able to take the unit apart. That will block the sun from getting to the magnifier. When you need it, unclip it and open it up, use the clip to hold it open. Two clips work well if it windy. You can even use plastic in stead of a card. Rod

[denise ippolito]

Good idea Rod, Thanks for sharing!!!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

WOW, how come I couldn't think of that? :D Thanks Rod, super idea. I already have a burnt flash head, and scorched TC cover thanks to the magnifying powers of Sir BB and my own stupidity.

Thanks again. :)

[Ed Cordes]

Great idea. My old 550 EX has burned surfaces as well as the lens hood on my 100-400. While I think I have learned my lesson it is still easy to forget how dangerous this device can be.