Show your Bird Portraits

[Valvebounce]

Hi Jack.
The Better Beamer is pretty robust yet vary giving, as in it will withstand minor contact with the surroundings yet the lens attachment will yield before excess forces are applied to the flash, more major interaction, by which time (unless you are already careening down hill out of control with much more at risk than the flash) you should know and be in control of the situation. The lenses are available as replacement items too just in case it falls off without you noticing.
I really like my Better Beamer, it is well worth carrying and making the effort to use. I think you will be surprised at how well it works.

Cheers, Graham.

Vern, just got the beamer but have yet to use it. I can't picture much mobility with it on-camera, like tree branches going down a path or whatever. Do you assemble it just before you need it?

Jack

 

[Vern]

Vern, just got the beamer but have yet to use it. I can't picture much mobility with it on-camera, like tree branches going down a path or whatever. Do you assemble it just before you need it?

Jack

You are all too correct, Jack. I have broken 3 of Canon's flash extender cord brackets while using the BB and getting it caught on my blind, branches etc. It is not very robust and the BB definitely is too hang-prone to work with in brush. I was able to get the owl pic b/c I could walk on a trail to almost where it was fishing in a local creek. It tolerated me pretty well for 5-10 min. Not sure if it would have sat for me to assemble the BB. I use it mostly from a blind. Would be nice to have a lower profile way to add fill flash.

 

[Vern]

Hi Jack.
The Better Beamer is pretty robust yet vary giving, as in it will withstand minor contact with the surroundings yet the lens attachment will yield before excess forces are applied to the flash, more major interaction, by which time (unless you are already careening down hill out of control with much more at risk than the flash) you should know and be in control of the situation. The lenses are available as replacement items too just in case it falls off without you noticing.
I really like my Better Beamer, it is well worth carrying and making the effort to use. I think you will be surprised at how well it works.

Cheers, Graham.

Vern, just got the beamer but have yet to use it. I can't picture much mobility with it on-camera, like tree branches going down a path or whatever. Do you assemble it just before you need it?

Jack

I am likely more of a spazz than Graham. He is right that you can feel the contact but sometimes when lifting the 600II + tripod through an opening, it is hard to course correct before something snaps. The BB is not the weak link, its the little screws that hold together the flash shoe on the Canon flash extender.

 

[tarntyke]

Dunnock
Long-tailed tit
Coot
All at RSPB Old Moor
Canon 5DSR 500mm f4 mk 1

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi tarntyke.
Very nice series of shots, a very interesting bit of acrobatics from the little fellow in the second shot. Nice timing.

Cheers, Graham.

Dunnock
Long-tailed tit
Coot
All at RSPB Old Moor
Canon 5DSR 500mm f4 mk 1

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Vern.
My heaviest setup is the 100-400 MKII with an extender, 7DII, flash on the camera with the BB. All hanging on a Black Rapid strap.
I'll bet I could add my large Kennet tripod and not equal the weight of your lens on its own. The inertia of your setup must be immense, I'm surprised it is only the cord shoe that breaks.
I can honestly sat that I would have broken more than the extension cord if I were trying to deal with your setup. When I am on the move for entry and egress from an area I either remove the flash with the BB or just the BB if I'm just moving around within the area I leave it assembled and try to walk with it facing body forwards lens to the rear so that any snagging will be with the weakness (the Velcro tear off) not against it. I'm sure one day it will all go wrong! ;D

Cheers, Graham.

I am likely more of a spazz than Graham. He is right that you can feel the contact but sometimes when lifting the 600II + tripod through an opening, it is hard to course correct before something snaps. The BB is not the weak link, its the little screws that hold together the flash shoe on the Canon flash extender.

 

[tc202]

Very nice picture. Well done, tc202.

Northern Pintail cruising by

An exceptional result, one that I aspire to.

Thank you!!

 

[Jack Douglas]

Vern, it's always compromises in photography! I guess that's because wildlife shooting is typically pushing the boundaries of the technology.

Jack

 

[ISO64]

Rose-breasted Grosbeak f/9, 1/1250 s,
Scarlet Tanager, f/8, 1/800 s,
Canon 7DMk2, 400/5.6 L + 1.4 TC Mk2, ISO 800, handheld

 

[Click]

Dunnock
Long-tailed tit
Coot
All at RSPB Old Moor
Canon 5DSR 500mm f4 mk 1

Very nice series, tarntyke. I especially like the second picture.

 

[AlanF]

While they are whingeing about sensor defects etc in the 5DIV, I couldn't be more happy with mine. 400mm f/4+2xTC, yesterday at RSPB Rye Meads, a goldfinch.

 

[Click]

Beautiful. Nicely done, Alan.

 

[nats1mom]

Black-crowned Night Heron

 

[nats1mom]

Alan, nice shot!

 

[AlanF]

Thanks click and nats1mom. I like the Blackcrowned Night Heron.

 

[Vern]

While they are whingeing about sensor defects etc in the 5DIV, I couldn't be more happy with mine. 400mm f/4+2xTC, yesterday at RSPB Rye Meads, a goldfinch.

Very nice Alan - super to have that clean background.

 

[Vern]

Here's a bluejay pic where the fill flash was helpful. Shot from a blind (w/o breaking the flash extender this time!).

5DSR, ISO 800, 600II, f4, 1/1000, fill flash at -1 exp compensation. Other shots from this series are posted under the 5DSR thread.

 

[tron]

While they are whingeing about sensor defects etc in the 5DIV, I couldn't be more happy with mine. 400mm f/4+2xTC, yesterday at RSPB Rye Meads, a goldfinch.

Good one Alan. I guess you are also secretly (or openly??? ) enjoying your 01 starting 5D4 ;D ;D ;D

P.S I have also used my 5D4 with 500mm in very dull weather (and at the same time close to sunset) and I liked the result

 

[tron]

Green parrot, shot with my 5D4 and 1.4XIII at 1/1000 f/5.6 ISO 8000.

Edit: I have used +2 Exp Comp. during shooting. No ... "dark" experiments here ;D

 

[Mikehit]

Here's a bluejay pic where the fill flash was helpful. Shot from a blind (w/o breaking the flash extender this time!).

5DSR, ISO 800, 600II, f4, 1/1000, fill flash at -1 exp compensation. Other shots from this series are posted under the 5DSR thread.

You got the balance just right, there Vern.