Better Beamer The Flash X-Tender () FX-5 Flash Output Booster for Canon Speedligth 430-EX, Pentax AF500FTZ

I had owned a Better Beamer previously, but on a trip to Costa Rica, our guide wanted one so desperately, I gave him mine.This little gizmo does a remarkable job of extending the light from your flash unit. Great for wildlife and especially birds, who might be in deep shadow and where fill flash along just won't reach. (Photos posted above). Just be sure you order the correct model number. I'm using a Yongnuo YN 468 flash, YongNuo YN-468 E-TTL Speedlite With LCD Display, Suitable for Canon 50D 40D 500D 1000D 450D which seems to be the equivalent of the Canon 430-EX, and my Beamer seems to fit perfectly.Please do not worry about harming the birds with the Beamer. They seem totally oblivious to it (and the flash), and your photos will be so much better for it.The lens itself has it's own protective case, and the entire thing folds flat for travel. It's lightweight, and I love it so much; there's no way I'm giving this one away.

Have you actually tried to take the kind of photos you want without the extender? Was it actually not good enough? Do you actually like how the photos look with flash? Is the focal length large enough to need an extender? My case: 430EX, Canon EF 100-400mm, forest birds. If the bird is so distant that 430EX is not powerful enough, the bird looks too small at 400mm. I stopped using the extender. Not a bad product at all though. I may still use it sometime in the future.

This extender actually works. I tested my flash and 300mm lens combo with and without the extender. The extender definitely does push the reach of the flash beyond what I have been able to acheive before. I'll need to get out in normal shooting conditions to see how much of an advantage it gives me.The unit consists of three parts, the two arms with velcro strap and lens. The two plastic arms of the extender fit around the sides of the flash unit, not the top and bottom as I tried initially. Those arms are held tight to the flash unit with a velcro strap. It seemed secure in testing, but is clearly not intended for heavy duty use or to be stored on the flash unit. The Fresnel projection lens is attached to the front of the arms with narrow self adhesive velcro strips. That's really all there is to setting it up. It is easier to do the attachment if the flash is off of the camera. I used my camera flash unit as I normally would with my 300mm lens and found that the distance was indeed increased. I will be using this for fill flash outdoors shooting wildlife.The usual disclaimers apply with handling magnifying lenses in bright sun.I'm giving it four stars for now since I've only done very cursory testing. If it works as I expect in the real world, I'll probably jump it to 5 stars.

It works, Nothing complicated or technical about it...it does what is supposed to do which it extends the distance of the flash.I have recently started doing bird photography an the sun at times can create some hard shadows rendering some bird shots useless. With this extender I have been able to shoot birds with my 400mm with the flash at 1/4 power and nailed it shooting directly toward the sun. The only caveat is that depending on your point of focus you will get a catch light in the eyes of the bird which in some instances is not flattering. So with that said you will need to practice and make adjustments as you use this, and with a little time invested I think you will find this to be a pretty handy item.

The product is too poor and apparently has no opinion of photographers to make it.1-) is only comprised of two flaps, when in fact should be 4 fins (in the photo of the product is not to be only 2 fins, I consider it a misleading photo)() Inside of the fins are black which of reflected light from the flash and lost a considerable light, which is fundamental to reach longer distance.3-) flaps do not conform well to the Flash head. I had to put some Velcro on the flash, to adjust better.Velcro which comes in one of the fins, exits easily fins have a salient to provide mechanical strength to the same fin, the which is correct, but it missed leave a smooth area to place the velcro.4-) had to pay a white surface to the inside of the flaps.5-) had to make two fins extras to close the upper and lower part of way more leverage generated by the flash light. These fins created them with cardboard lined with aluminum and then stuck on a genre which has velcro, mode to fix it to the original plastic fins.While the product is inexpensive, you might say to not comply to what is offered. You have to finish it to make. English by machine

The picture of the product shows it completely enclosed! (having a bottom, top as well as sides! The one I recieved only has sides!)

This product was recommended to me by a friend who is deeply into photography. I can see that its use is limited, but when you need to throw light some extended distance, it works perfectly and your subject will be well lit in order to capture the image.

as with most things, it will take a while to master, but I'm sure it will be indispensable by the time I get to Magee Marsh springtime.And earn an extra star no doubt