Better beamer

[Giovanni Frescura]

Hello
only a question.
I normal use Better beamer in TTL with - 1 1/2 or -1 2/3
but could better in some situation (foe example when the BK is a wall white) use in Manual and -1/2 also to have more shoots?
Thanks


Fore Administrator
I have a problem because also I ask "istant email notification" I haven't the notify
Thanks

[Linwood Ferguson]

I am not quite sure of your question, sorry, but perhaps you are asking if using the flash in manual mode will result in more shots. It depends. in TTL it is going to set the power output based on need, and in doing so it may be more or less than whatever setting you do in manual.

I gave up long ago using a better beamer in TTL mode, though I know some do. I set the flash in manual, and adjust to the shot taking as a rough estimate the readout on the flash (I have a SB800) for distance, then approximately doubling it. Take a quick test shot, and adjust up/down. While not as convenient I find it much more predictable. I simply do not think that the TTL mode is very accurate in daylight through the better beamer.

Also, I do a test shot regularly while walking around, as getting the BB lined up is not magic. Zoom the camera lens all the way out (wide), and the flash (if equiped) wide (which gives the tightest light spot). Set a high shutter speed to minimize daylight, full flash, and shoot something in shadow (e.g. a tree trunk). You should see the flash concentrated in the center. If you do not, adjust the head (or just shift he BB lens up or down). Then put the flash zoom back in the middle range to give you a compromise between concentration and coverage (you can go wider if you have longer lenses).

Here's an extreme case shown in a dark room with a wide angle lens (not a telephoto) just to show what the beam's focus should look like:



Let me say one thing again as it confuses a lot of new BB users -- if your flash has an adjustable zoom, then when zoomed to the widest setting (e.g. 24mm) the BB has the tightest (most concentrated) beam. If zoomed to the telephoto setting (e.g. 105mm) then the BB focus spreads out. Exactly the opposite of how a regular flash setting works.

[Don Hamilton Jr.]

Linwood, good stuff, so awhat are you setting your flash for in zoom, for some reason i was thinking BB rec'd 50mm... thks for any tips..don

[Linwood Ferguson]

I do generally set at 50mm. It seems a good compromise. With a 200-400 (especially with a 1.4TC I often use), setting the flash at 24mm will still fill the frame, but only if I have it carefully aimed. Setting it to 50mm provides enough "slop" that I can still carry it around slung over the shoulder on the tripod and it will still work. If I were shooting at 200mm I would probably set it a bit higher.

A cool way to experiment is get in a dark, large room and take pictures of a far wall with the BB set in various ways. Some experimentation in those conditions helps when you are in more difficult conditions in the field to "see" what is going on.

[Ed Cordes]

I set the flash at 50mm and usualy use a flash EV of - 1 2/3 to -2 1/3 depending on lighting in ETTL mode. This is with a 7D or 1D4 and either a 300 f4, 100-400 or 500 f4.

[Giovanni Frescura]

Right ed...but so how many shoot with flash ?
I tried and in the same situation and setting with a 300 f.2,8 and 7D I have only one shoot!