Better Beamer Vs Harbor Digital Flash Xtender

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

I´ve been using the traditional Beater Beamer for several years now and I would like to know if it is true that the newer version by harbor digital is better as it transfer the light a bit farther away?

Thanks for your input!

 

[P-A. Fortin]

I don't know what you refer to as "the newer version". I have been using this extender

http://www.harbordigitaldesign.com/xtl-1flashextenderconversionlens-1.aspx

for over 2 years now, after 2 years of using the better beamer. I was introduced to the Harbor Extender by Brian Small and I loved it right away.


If there is a difference in terms of lighting distance, then it definitely did not jump to my face as I have not notice anything in this department.

At least to bring something to the table, here's what I prefer about the Harbor one over the BB:
- More robust and stable. I never have to worry about proper alignment with the flash head.
- The small dome diffuser inside the housing seems to provide a more uniform lighting on the subject. No "huge" difference however.
- The housing protects my gear and other surroundings from my dumbness when the sun is high behind me. I almost set my lenscoat on fire once with the BB, and almost started a hayfire once as well.

What I dislike about it:
- The BB, being foldable, is so much easier to carry around in your camera bag than the Harbor one. You can remove the front cover (with the Fresnel lens) and stuff something in the housing (e.g. socks, underwear) if you are on travel. But if I'm just going out on a single-day shooting, it takes alot of place in my bag and I find it annoying.

 

[Aston Calvin]

Better Beamer is increase the range and control of your flash for using telephoto lenses. With the use of Fresnel lens, it has a power to cover 300 mm area and longer lens to enhance your flash power equal to 3 f/stops.

 

[Daniel Cadieux]

Have you guys seen this? I have not yet (and very tempted), but it looks very interesting, and small to carry with your gear...

https://magnetmod.com/shop/magbeam-wildlife-kit/

 

[Joe Subolefsky]

I've been using the Harbor for a couple year and after about a month gave my better beamer away I liked it that much better. Really could not tell any difference between the two performance wise just prefer the design of the Harbor. That said the one Dan just posted looks very interesting.

 

[Dan Brown]

I haven't used the harbor but I ordered the Magmod and sent it back due to the weight and the fact that it droops, lowering the beam. I also didn't really like the idea of the magnets being in my camera bag and around my computers (just paranoid!). So, I am sticking to the flimsy better beamer.