Customer Reviews

The Flash X-Tender (Better Beamer) FX-3 Flash Output Booster for Canon 580EX, Canon 580 II & Metz 54-4

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

this product does exactly what it says. Gives you a stronger beam that results in faster recycle time so you don't miss shots. I can't say enough about this product.

You should note though that because this concentrates the flash it is only to be used on zoom lenses. The instructions say 300mm or higher but if you have a camera with a digital crop factor this is less important because you are croping out the edges that may not have as much light from the flash.

The Flash X-Tender (Better Beamer) FX-3 Flash Output Booster for Canon 580EX, Canon 580 II & Metz 54-4
When I saw it I thought it was a lot of money for a couple of pieces of molded plastic, a velcro strip and a sheet magnifier, after using it I find it is well worth the money. I can fill shadows on birds at 150 feet and with the added catch light in the eyes, the subjects like alive now. If I ever manage to break this one I will have another one ordered ASAP. I wouldn't be without my Beamer for wildlife photography, it has become a valued and essential piece of equipment in my bag. If you do wild life and bird photography you will be delighted with the results you can get with it, even if it does make your camera look like a futuristic weapon of some kind. Buy it, you will love it.

At the end of the day, the Better Beamer remains the gold standard for flash extenders. The availability of this flash extender at most camera stores, combined with the compatibility with most flash units and the low price make it a must have for photographers who need to use fill flash with telephoto lenses. While there is certainly some room for improvement, we can't complain much when the price is less than $40.

The Better Beamer provides a dramatic increase in the light from your external flash ... and might just make the difference between a great photograph and a wasted opportunity.

Pros:

* Effectively doubles flash reach
* Simple to use
* Easy on your wallet

Cons:

* Beam focusing could be more efficient and even
* Thin plastic build means questionable longevity?

The Better Beamer works best at 300mm or longer focal lengths because since it concentrates the beam, the flash will not be redispersed to the size of the frame until the light gets quite a ways away. However, since most digital SLR's have a "crop factor" of approximately 1.6x, that means that you reach full frame coverage at 300mm/1.6 = 188mm, or thereabouts. So if you have a lens that can reach 200mm focal length, you'll get the full frame coverage with that crop factor. It'll still work at shorter focal lengths as long as your subject is centered in the frame.

It's well made, light, and easy to assemble. I did snip the little piece of velcro so it would fit without making it hard to put on my OmniBounce and/or obscuring my 580EX's serial number, but it only took a little bit.

As the other reviews state, this product is unique. It extends the flash range by a fresnel lens which keeps the flash angled out at 10 degrees. This approx. equals a 300mm lens on a full frame 35mm camera or 200mm lens on a 1.6 crop camera. Below is a shot shot at night, metering without flash was 1/8 second, with the 580EX flash and the BB, I reached flash sync at 1/250th. A bit under exposed, but Photoshop to the rescue. For a $40 product, the fit is a little finnicky. But you will get shots you never dreamed were possible when using long lenses.

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Hope this helps

This flash extender works great when coupled with my Canon 580EX II flash. It provides a very narrow and focused beam of light that provides fill lighting when photographing animals and birds in the wild. It works also well when the subject is backlit allowing you to get a shot that would otherwise come out too dark.

Purchased this just before I did some wildlife (bird) photography. What a difference this product makes!! This is great for birds and other wildlife in deep shadow where other efforts of fill flash won't quite reach. It doesn't seem to startle the birds, they seem totally oblivious to it. Works well, easy to set up and use. Extremely lightweight, and fold flat, so it is easy to pack with your other camera gear.

This is my 2nd Better Beamer X-Tender. I left my other one at a friends
house in another country accidentally and couldn't live without it until
I go back later this year so I ordered another one from Amazon/Adorama.

With long lenses you are often at a distance from your subject which means
even when the planets align you're flash throw will be lacking. The Better
Beamer is an absolute must have tool.

The set up of the new version is easier to use than the older model (which was
still easy to use). The plastic it's made of is durable and everything folds
up compactly so I keep mine with my long glass so that I don't misplace it
or accidentally leave it at a friends ;) The materials aren't exotic but I'd
never have thought to put the pieces together to make a product like it that
really does make such a difference in getting usable images. I really do mean
that without it many images would have less visual impact and be much too
contrasty to use. As far as photo accessories go it's an inexpensive necessity.

Despite the comments of one reviewer, there is nothing crude about this product. It fits my new Canon 580EXII flash unit perfectly and provides fill flash for wildlife subjects as far away as 80-100 feet. It is lightweight and stores in a small, flat package. The Velcro fasteners are secure and position the Fresnel lens correctly, without slippage.

Very clumsy to setup quickly but it works. that is why I only gave it 4 stars.