Better Beamer and Cycling

Anyone else using the Better Beamer for sports? I tried this out last evening at a local criterium that started at 7:15pm and ended at 8:45pm. It's in a residential area, so even in the day, it's pretty shady. Before and after sunset? Forget about it. Flash required, period. So, I have a BB for birding, thought I'd give it a try with my Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 and old 1DMkIIn (horrible in low light). I sat on the ground at the exit of the slowest turn, here they would be out of the saddle and accelerating more than any other place on the course. This old body had a difficult time getting focus in the low light, but still produced some winners. My only concern was that the beam of flash was slightly off alignment from the subject I focused on. Made for an interesting composition though. Still beats lighting up the whole street. Don't see why this couldn't be used for football or other low light sports. Comments?

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IMAGE LINK: http://s219.photobucke​t.com …3759_zpsj32dgtr​d.jpg.html

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perfectly lit, I would say!!

Michiel>=-

I just want to add that these photos are a big hit on Facebook. FWIW.

Looks good. I hadn't thought about the Beemer for that. What was the distance to the targets?

It varied but the best seem to be approx. 50 to 75 ft with the Canon 580ExII running at TTL +0. The distance to the subjects was also determined by the location where I was parked.

I think the main reason it's not typically done is the distraction effect of the flash in the face of the athletes. That beam of light is bright when focused on you with the BB. But if no one complained, I guess it didn't bother anyone too much.

Most don't seem to mind as long as you're not shooting as they enter a tricky corner and making it unsafe. Some (very few), will turn their head away from you, or put their head down so as not to be affected by the flash, but not many. I've never had anyone complain either at the race or afterwards (in person or online). FWIW.