Flash Extender

I have missed a few bird shots, due to not being able to get close enough using the external flash on my K200D. So I got to looking at the Better Beamer, http://www.moosepeterson.com/gear/betterbeamer.html

Of course I decided why buy, build it. :)

I bought a full page fresnel lens in the vision section at the store.

I used some left over plexiglass to make the side wings, painted them satin black. Don't want to look to Rube Goldberg in front of others. LOL

One rubberband and a little velcro.

And it is done.

The fresnel lens is 3.750" X 6.00", cut from the center of the full page lens. The distance from the flash lens to the fresnel is 6.625".

I used a small torch and a piece of wood to bend the tabs that go around the flash head.

With the velcro to hold the lens in place, it can be folded up and carried in a pocket.

In my early tests, it looks like I have gained about 2 stops of light at 20 feet.

It narrows the light spread as long as you have the grooved side facing away from the flash.

My cost was $10.00.

Not that the Better Beamer is not worth the price. But I like to spend the big bucks on gear I can't build. LOL