The Flash X-Tender (Better Beamer) FX-4 Flash Output Booster for the Nikon SB-600 and SB-800 Flashes with Lenses 300mm

I had built my own version, and, well, it worked, sort of. Then I met a photographer at Balboa Lake, Ca. who was shooting with a Better Beamer. He let me try it with my equipment - - - then I ditched my homemade version and bought one. I have found that it is effective with my setup to about 100 feet. Beyond that a little iffy. The ability to fold it flat is a strong plus. It is not indestructible, but with care it should last a long time. Here is a photo I shot at the L.A. River Narrows, Glendale, Ca. You can see the area covered by the Beamer. The specs on this shot are: f/6.3@1/2000, ISO 800, Sigma 150 - 500 @ 400 mm, Nikon SB-800..

I use the Better Beamer ('Beamer') for small bird photography in low light and high contrast conditions such as against bright skies. It is intended for use with external flashes and telephoto lenses of 300 mm or greater focal lengths. The Beamer can easily make the difference between getting the shot at 40-50 feet or not at all because it focuses the external flash's normal output so that it effectively reaches further while at the same time reducing the TTL's measured light requirement. It is light in weight and one has to be careful to keep the fresnel lens pointed away from the sun to avoid burning either equipment or surrounding area. It can put enough light on the bird to easily create a catch-light effect but if the Beamer is mounted too close to the optical axis of the lens it produces "steely eyes". That is, the bird's eye appears to have a large white spot instead of a small catch light of reflected sun (flash) light. To avoid this requires a bracket to move the flash up and away from the lens axis but this simply demonstrates the power of the Beamer to get the light you need out to the bird. With the Beamer on an external flash mounted on a bracket to move the flash off the optical axis of a large telephoto you've got a serious looking and slightly cumbersome rig but that's what it takes to get shots of small, frequently jittery birds in the wild. Get a Beamer and you'll be amazed.

I have trouble lining up the flash beam to the subject. Took some test photos the main beam of the flash was either to high of to low to the target area. Takes a lot of time to get it right, which you don't have when photographing wildlife. It is flimsy don't know how you would use it in windy conditions. Its $35+ for a piece of plastic.

Great idea and very useful once properly setup. My main complaint is that it can be very difficult to get consistently flash targeting even with the extender is securely attached to the flash because the weight of extender angles the flash downward several degrees, which means the field of flash illumination and the field of view on your telephoto lens are not aligned. I'm using a 150-600 Sigma Sport lens. I've had some good results with the product, but it's a work in progress.

Works as designed for telephoto shots when using a flash. It looks and feels a bit flimsy, but this company has been making the same device for decades and it’s still popular because it works!

Easy to assemble takes up little space in camera bag. Make sure you get the correct extender for your flash!

Does allow further reach without loss, as promised. Unfortunately, its very hard to get it aimed correctly - a little too high and the bottom of the picture is too dark, too low and top is dark. What it needs is more precise mounting. Before using it, I have to calibrate it and adjust the strap a half dozen times to get it in the right position, then be very careful not to bump it. Even then there is much vignetting, which isn't that big of a problem since you can either enjoy the vignette or crop it away - just so ya know...

I've used one in the past but needed one that worked with my newer flash. Works great on my tests