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Testing the Better Beamer on some KFishers

Discussion in 'Birds' started by Louis Champan, Mar 25, 2007.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Louis Champan

    Louis Champan

    17,825
    Jul 13, 2005
    Newcastle, Washington
    When it stops raining around here for just a few minuties everyone heads off to their favorite spot. So this morning Sunday, although it's wasn't quite sunny at least it wasn't raining, so I decided to do some testing with the BB on all of my shots today.
    I shot with my D2X, 500mm & TC1.4 and the BB. Went to one of the favorites spots for seeing some Kingfishers and sure enough they were there and surprisingly not too spooky. Met up with Jim Theil, Bill Dewey and his wife Nancy later in the afternoon for some shooting at another location but not much going on there. So anyway, here are a few of what I came away with today. Not exactly sure I had the BB dialled in, but I think most of the shots probably came out better than if I had not used it.

    original.

    View attachment 87008

    original.
    NIKON D2X    ---    700mm    f/7.1    1/250s    ISO 250


    View attachment 87010

    View attachment 87011

    original.
    NIKON D2X    ---    700mm    f/7.1    1/640s    ISO 250


    original.
    NIKON D2X    ---    700mm    f/6.3    1/400s    ISO 250


    Louie
     
    Louis Champan, Mar 25, 2007
    #1
  2. dmwphoto

    dmwphoto

    22,474
    Mar 18, 2005
    Richmond, Va
    Your results are fantastic! The BB did its job and brought out the details in the feathers and shadows. Good work Louie!
     
    dmwphoto, Mar 25, 2007
    #2
  3. mike mac

    mike mac

    12,409
    Jan 25, 2005
    East Norriton, PA
    WOW excellent tack sharp and you cant even tell they are flashed I think the beamer and flash has a great place for wildlife photography if not to help stop the action but to eliminate some shadows
     
    mike mac, Mar 25, 2007
    #3
  4. Lou Buscher

    Lou Buscher

    2,341
    Nov 15, 2006
    Sandwich Ma.
    Louie you did a great job on them. I have used the BB on a pileated at about 100 feet and it worked good on cloudy days. I found they recomend you set the focal length at 50mm when useing the BB no matter what lens you use. I was shooting a pileated this morning with it and I used the P mode on my Canon 1DM2N and the 500/4IS + a 1.4 and it worked great. I would say what ever you did for these photos keep doing it as they are beautiful.
    Lou
     
    Lou Buscher, Mar 25, 2007
    #4
  5. hangin tree

    hangin tree

    8,564
    Sep 17, 2006
    Northern Alabama
    WOW, That really brings out the detail in some rather difficult areas
     
    hangin tree, Mar 25, 2007
    #5
  6. TOLady

    TOLady

    14,461
    Mar 31, 2005
    Toronto Canada
    WOWWW, those are fantastic. That Beamer works well! Those are incredible shots of the Devil Bird :biggrin:. A wonderful series, Louis, thanks so much for sharing!
     
    TOLady, Mar 25, 2007
    #6
  7. Baxter

    Baxter

    1,515
    Jan 8, 2007
    Clemson, SC
    That first kingfisher is off the charts. Wow!
     
    Baxter, Mar 25, 2007
    #7
  8. hardwork

    hardwork

    90
    Nov 4, 2006
    Lynnwood Wash
    OK whats a BB
     
    hardwork, Mar 25, 2007
    #8
  9. Gale

    Gale

    978
    Jan 26, 2005
    Viera Fl
    Wow thoes are marvelous images...

    Devil Bird....hummmmmmm grrrrrrrrr
     
    Gale, Mar 25, 2007
    #9
  10. davidwcramer

    davidwcramer

    5,355
    Jan 14, 2006
    Placitas, New Mexico
    Nice shots Louie. And good use of the beamer. I'm still learing with it. How'd you get the KF to stay still so long????
     
    davidwcramer, Mar 25, 2007
    #10
  11. davidwcramer

    davidwcramer

    5,355
    Jan 14, 2006
    Placitas, New Mexico
    Better Beamer flash extender.
     
    davidwcramer, Mar 25, 2007
    #11
  12. cajun angel

    cajun angel

    19,893
    Feb 6, 2006
    TX originally from Louisiana
    Are you giving lessons? I have a BB just arrived! Beautiful photos BTW
     
    cajun angel, Mar 25, 2007
    #12
  13. Louis Champan

    Louis Champan

    17,825
    Jul 13, 2005
    Newcastle, Washington
    Thanks Dianne, I wish I were some sort of expert but unfortunately not, but thanks away. I think Mike Mac is the guy that knows the BB. I was just dertermined that I was going to shoot with it today and try to get better at it. I think there are some general rules but it's just practice in all sorts of situations.

    Louie
     
    Louis Champan, Mar 25, 2007
    #13
  14. andreasb

    andreasb Subscribing Member

    7,573
    Feb 2, 2005
    Maple Bay, Duncan, BC, Canada
    Andreas Berglund
    EXCELLENT! THEY LOOK GREAT YOU CAN'T TELL THEY ARE FLASHED AT ALL!!!

    (caps lock is now off :) )
     
    andreasb, Mar 25, 2007
    #14
  15. InitialD

    InitialD

    151
    Mar 12, 2007
    Malaysia
    Excellent captures Louis. Can you tell us in detail what the flash settings used on the SB800? Rear sync etc?

    BTW, I noticed that you're shooting with the HSC mode which would be like shooting from a 931mm lens !
     
    InitialD, Mar 25, 2007
    #15
  16. flygirl1

    flygirl1

    2,222
    Feb 11, 2007
    Orlando, Florida
    Louie what can I say but, well, :910: VERY jealous with your devil bird, the KF. Well done!

    Nancy
     
    flygirl1, Mar 26, 2007
    #16
  17. hardwork

    hardwork

    90
    Nov 4, 2006
    Lynnwood Wash
    Thanks David thats just what I need here in gray WA State
     
    hardwork, Mar 26, 2007
    #17
  18. Flew

    Flew

    994
    Jan 25, 2005
    Alabama
    Well, all I can say is WOW!! These are sweet Louie. :smile:
     
    Flew, Mar 26, 2007
    #18
  19. sclamb

    sclamb

    1,096
    Jan 2, 2007
    London
    Great KF shots with the BB. The fact that they don't look flashed shows how good they are. Did you have the BB dialled down 1.5-1.7EV? If you could share your settings (camera/flash) it would be appreciated. Thanks.
     
    sclamb, Mar 26, 2007
    #19
  20. phillip 200

    phillip 200

    1,896
    Feb 13, 2005
    Blackpool Lancashire UK
    Cool very nice.

    Phillip.
     
    phillip 200, Mar 26, 2007
    #20
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