Flash use in nature question

[Paul A]

:confused: I have a questions for the experts out there. If a pic were shot in the morning with the sun somewhat in front so the colors aren't as exhuberent as they might be in full sun; would it work to use a flash like a 580 under these conditions? Does it have enough reach for the 100-400mm lens?
Thanks for any help, I'm trying to learn.

[PacAce]

I'm not an expert but I just wanted to ask...what time in the morning are you talking about? Early morning? Mid morning? Also, who or what is your subject? Wildlife, birds? And how far away is the subject?

[Paul A]

I'm not an expert but I just wanted to ask...what time in the morning are you talking about? Early morning? Mid morning? Also, who or what is your subject? Wildlife, birds? And how far away is the subject?


I guess mid morning, when you've got good light behind you. Hypothetical: a robin sized bird lands behind you, you've got the 100-400 fully extended with a 1.4 converter on it but the light is poor, you can get the pic but you know it would be a lot better in good light. Say the bird is 30 to 40 feet away. What if I were to shell out another bunch of moola for a good flash, and were smart enough to have everything ready to go?

[PacAce]

At 30 to 40 feet, with the sun, I'm assuming, someplace other than directly illuminating a small bird such as a robin, I would instinctlively whip out my 550EX flash with a Better Beamer already attached to it, of course since we're talking hypothetical here ;) , and start shooting away. Without the Better Beamer attachment, 30 to 40 feet might be a bit of a stretch for the 550EX to really be effective.

And, if you're interested, this is where I got mine although there are a few other places where they sell it:

http://www.birdsasart.com/accs.html#BEAMER

[robertwgross]

First of all, I use my 550EX flash very, very little for nature photography. Most of the time, its light is just too unnatural. However, as we discussed yesterday, there are a few places where fill flash will work. I think I had described the Snowy Egret nest in the shadows and how I used the 550EX at extreme range. I cranked up the camera's ISO to make that work.

Yosemite Black Bears tend to be rather black in color. At night, they are very hard to see and to photograph. Flash is the only way to go.

---Bob Gross---

[Paul A]

Thanks everyone, I guess there is no easy way. I never heard of a beamer before, I'm glad I ask stupid questions. I get some great answers and hopefully I'll learn.
Paul