430 Ex Flash + Better Beamer for Birding

Good luck with whatever you get. I hate using flash as I usually get terrible results. Plus I hate carrying even more bulky items with me out there. I have seen excellent results with flash, but I still haven't figured it out. Every time I have used it, even when I think I have the right settings, one of three things happens: 1.) the shot is blown out, 2.) the shot is terribly underexposed seeming as if the flash did nothing, or 3.) it worked, but the bird's eyes look like giant lit up orbs, rather than the pleasing catchlight that so many have achieved.

ngannet wrote in post #3066416
3.) it worked, but the bird's eyes look like giant lit up orbs, rather than the pleasing catchlight that so many have achieved.

This is my biggest concern. When I shot the bluebird with the onboard flash (posted last week),it had a big white eye. Tonight, after the GBH, I came across a Yellow-rumped Warbler. I took several images with the onboard flash and they all produced white eyes. Heck the images were oof because of low shutter speed and handheld but the eye came out looking clear and white!

ngannet wrote in post #3066416
Good luck with whatever you get. I hate using flash as I usually get terrible results. Plus I hate carrying even more bulky items with me out there. I have seen excellent results with flash, but I still haven't figured it out. Every time I have used it, even when I think I have the right settings, one of three things happens: 1.) the shot is blown out, 2.) the shot is terribly underexposed seeming as if the flash did nothing, or 3.) it worked, but the bird's eyes look like giant lit up orbs, rather than the pleasing catchlight that so many have achieved.

The way around this is to use a bracket and raise the flash, otherwise if flash is strong this is a problem.

morehtml wrote in post #3066545
The way around this is to use a bracket and raise the flash, otherwise if flash is strong this is a problem.

I've seen the bracket you use in the photo you referred me to on your website. But could you please expound a bit on the second half of that statement (if the flash is strong this is a problem). The shots I took tonight of the Yellow-Rumped Warbler were with the onboard flash and the distance was about 30 feet. That has got to be beyond the limits of that flash and yet the eyes were white.

Does the Beamer help or make the problem worse? And what, if any, other ways are there around the problem other than a bracket? I believe the 430EX must be used on the shoe but I could be wrong.

And thanks Allen. I appreciate the time you are taking to help me (us) with flash and birds.

The reason you see Redeye and Whiteeye on birds is the onboard flash is right above the lens in direct line with the retina of the eye, which reflects light back into the lens. Get the flash out there on a bracket and the beam is no longer in line with the retina of the eye or at a different angle so it isn't reflected back into the lens

canonloader wrote in post #3066837
The reason you see Redeye and Whiteeye on birds is the onboard flash is right above the lens in direct line with the retina of the eye, which reflects light back into the lens. Get the flash out there on a bracket and the beam is no longer in line with the retina of the eye or at a different angle so it isn't reflected back into the lens

Can you accomplish the same type of effect by directing the Flash and Beamer a little higher than the bird or slightly to the left or right? Or am I totally showing my flash ignorance.

I should reiterate that I am not a big fan of flash preferring natural light but I do see where it can be useful in certain situations like the aforementioned shadowing from backlighting.

Yes, that's the whole point of the flash [at least the 550 and 580ex] having a flip up and swivel end, so you can direct the light to bounce off a ceiling or other reflector or to diffuse it so it's not shooting a beam right at the subject and it's eyes or any other highly reflective surface. There are also diffusers to put over the flash when you can't point it somewhere else. They can be anything from a piece of toilet paper to plastic diffusers made for the flash, and in colors too.

Which is why I said they were a waste of money. My money, not others. Sure, they work and can produce some excellent results, but I didn't want to turn bird photography into a job I don't get paid for. It's a hobby I practice in good light that comes in over my shoulder.

Pulled the trigger today. Bought the 430EX, Better Beamer, NiMH batteries and charger and Kenko tubes. That should do it for a little while. B&H shipped today. With a little luck, Brown should deliver tomorrow. (It's nice to live close enough that standard 3-day delivery usually arrives the next day!)

Thanks for all the help.

I'll be interested to see how it works out.

canonloader wrote in post #3071182
I'll be interested to see how it works out.

ME TOO!!!

Good luck Ed. Did you get the bracket too?

Reyno wrote in post #3071204
Good luck Ed. Did you get the bracket too?

I thought about it but no, at least not now. I did a bit of reading in Morris' "The Art of Bird Photography" and he said that the red eye/white eye problem is primarily a low light problem. I didn't see where it would be an issue on bright sunny days where I might be looking for fill flash. I also want to see what happens if I tilt the flash slightly. Will that reduce/eliminate red/white eye?

If all else fails, I will add a bracket but it is just another thing to carry around.

Actually I love to shoot wildflowers as well and am excited about the tubes for that. I plan on using the tubes with my 50mm f/1.8 as well as the 400 f/5.6.

I use the 430ex taking hummingbird pics with good results. If I don't the wings are
blurred. The flash also brings out more detail.

I use a canon XTi

Ed, did you ever get the Beamer? I ended up buying one and used it too. I have a bracket type grip, actually two of them, but no way to use it handily with the Bigma. so I've only used it on the camera. And I still got the white eye, but that's always been easily fixed in CS2 with a small hard edged brush.

after using the better beamer on the wimberley bracket, i can't recommend this combo enough. steel eye was completley gone and i was able to get tons of details in the blacks with very even lighting. i do think that the bracket is worth the money because it not only put the flash higher but it also pushes it forward so the better beamer i almost at the end of the lens (in case of my 500 at least) which allows you to shoot over the hood and provide great lighting.