Better Beamer (1 Viewer)

Vectis Birder · Nov 1, 2008

Where can I get a Better Beamer flash extender in the UK?

Cheers
VB

I4ani · Nov 1, 2008

Hi VB,
if you mean a Kirk Flash X-Tender, they can be got from WHE under Kirk products for about £35 ish , may sure you pick the correct one for your flash gun.
It consists of a fres magnifier, two side arms and some velcro to hold it together.
regards I4ani.

Vectis Birder · Nov 1, 2008

I4ani said:
Hi VB,
if you mean a Kirk Flash X-Tender, they can be got from WHE under Kirk products for about £35 ish , may sure you pick the correct one for your flash gun.
It consists of a fres magnifier, two side arms and some velcro to hold it together.
regards I4ani.

Thanks I4ani, but they seem only to be for Nikon flashes and mine is a Canon 430 EX II. Better Beamer is a make in its own right, although any make will do, of course.

IanF · Nov 1, 2008

I bought this one - http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/prod.asp?i=12837&1=Flash+X-tender

Works very well with the Canon 430EX - just remember to dial in -1.00 EV to reduce reflection from the feathers.

I4ani · Nov 1, 2008

Hi VB,
The Kirk versions do fit Canon flash guns, go to www.kirkphoto.com and check out the model suitable for your gun, they make several versions ie FX1-FX6 and list which ones are suitable/compatible.
regards I4ani

Vectis Birder · Nov 1, 2008

Great, thanks guys.

Overread · Nov 3, 2008

what does WHE stand for?
searching for it all I could find were some random sites and this:
http://www.sigmaphotography.org/lens_better_beamer_126562.htm
which just confused me further....

Clive Watson · Nov 3, 2008

Warehouse Express. I've just looked at Arthur Morris's Birds As Art site to do a quick price comparison and the Beamers have got the same codes (FX-5 for the 430EX) so I presume these extenders are all basically the same. (I also have a 430EX and am also looking to get an extender so I've been following this thread.)

IanF · Nov 3, 2008

Overread said:
what does WHE stand for?
searching for it all I could find were some random sites and this:
http://www.sigmaphotography.org/lens_better_beamer_126562.htm
which just confused me further....

Warehouse Express - a UK camera/optics dealer.

Vectis Birder · Nov 4, 2008

I'll go for the one IanF has suggested, although it'll have to wait a few weeks until I have some spare money!

Thanks for the help everyone!

stbear · Nov 4, 2008

Be careful how you position your tripod with any of these flash extenders attached. I saw a guy that stopped to talk and set his tripod down with the flash extender artached ti flash and camera. When I walked by the thing was smoking. The sun was shiging into the beamer and melted a hole in his flash. More damage would have been done If I hadn't noticed it.

Overread · Nov 5, 2008

Ahh thanks guys!
and yes I have heard tell that the reflection of the sun causing damage to flash heads when using extenders is a recognised problem - so even more reason to keep you eye on the lighting

Vectis Birder · Nov 5, 2008

Oh, yes, I heard about this, melted flashes and all!

By the way, is it the same material used in flash extenders as in those little square things you see in the back of bus windows that help the driver see better when reversing?

IanF · Nov 5, 2008

Vectis Birder said:
Oh, yes, I heard about this, melted flashes and all!

By the way, is it the same material used in flash extenders as in those little square things you see in the back of bus windows that help the driver see better when reversing?

I think they're both types of Fresnel lenses - so yes!

JohnJos · Nov 5, 2008

And the same thing as those inexpensive plastic reading magnifiers available in most bookstores. Check out this website...

http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/flashfocuser.html

Vectis Birder · Nov 6, 2008

IanF said:
I think they're both types of Fresnel lenses - so yes!

Thanks. I couldn't remember the actual name of this stuff. Further to JohnJos' post I'm now wondering if it would actually be cheaper to make one of these things. :brains:

JohnJos · Nov 6, 2008

Here's a photo of the ones made by the guy who sent me the link. Not a great photos to show the BB but impressive nonetheless. I have not tried to build one yet, mainly because the book store did not have the size I wanted. I'll give it a try eventually.

Vectis Birder · Nov 7, 2008

Thanks, now I have to track a fresnel lens down.

JohnJos · Nov 7, 2008

Here's a USA website (just one of many found by a Google search on "book magnifier"):

http://www.seeitbigger.com/Bausch_Lomb_Magna_Page_Full_Page_Magnifier_p/bl-819007.htm

I'm sure there are internet vendors based in the UK or EU that you can order from. Or check out a large book store chain like Barnes & Noble in the US.

Let us know how you fair and post photos of your homemade unit.

Vectis Birder · Nov 8, 2008

I eventually tracked down an 8 inch x 10 inch Fresnel lens, it was incredibly hard to find, they're like gold-dust here on the Isle of Wight (probably due to an above-averagely high elderly population buying them for reading with!) but I eventually found one - the last they had - in a shop that sells items for disabled people. It was a bit more expensive than I was hoping, £14.99, but it is rigid plastic.
I detatched it from the frame it was in and this evening I am going to try and put a flash extender together with tape and cardboard a la this one here.

Hopefully I'll end up with something that works well, but won't cost me about £32. If it doesn't work, then I'll resort to buying one off the net.

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