Nancy Drew and the Flash Modifier Mystery!.

klkitchens · 05-22-2017, 02:17 PM

If this is wrong forum, I apologize and please relocate.

When I was in Florida, two guys were toting around their Canon gear at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. They had shoe mounted flashes, but in front of them they had a lens type thing to magnifying or scatter the flash. I'd never seen anything like it in my years of photography and they got away before I could ask directly. It was not a bounce per se, the flash was pointed dead ahead and this refractor or whatever was dead in front of it. Not attached to the flash head, but just sitting about 6 inches away.

It was like a flat piece of prismatic plastic maybe? Reminded me of the lens on a lighthouse or headlight that magnifies the tiny bulb output.

Sadly "flash" and "lens" produce way too many false positives on Google, so I'm hoping the good folk here know what the heck it was I saw.

**sergysergy** · 05-22-2017, 02:26 PM - **1 Like**

flash beamer / extender?

klkitchens · 05-22-2017, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by sergysergy

flash beamer?

Yep... as always one I'm stumped and ask the question, I start finding it myself.

I think that's correct.

Lake · 05-22-2017, 03:51 PM

I've used a fresnel lens page magnifier. It works quite well but would be better if it had a mount.

**pepperberry farm** · 05-22-2017, 05:54 PM

Originally posted by klkitchens

If this is wrong forum, I apologize and please relocate.

When I was in Florida, two guys were toting around their Canon gear at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. They had shoe mounted flashes, but in front of them they had a lens type thing to magnifying or scatter the flash. I'd never seen anything like it in my years of photography and they got away before I could ask directly. It was not a bounce per se, the flash was pointed dead ahead and this refractor or whatever was dead in front of it. Not attached to the flash head, but just sitting about 6 inches away.

It was like a flat piece of prismatic plastic maybe? Reminded me of the lens on a lighthouse or headlight that magnifies the tiny bulb output.

Sadly "flash" and "lens" produce way too many false positives on Google, so I'm hoping the good folk here know what the heck it was I saw.

something like so?

Orbis Orbis Ring Flash Diffusing Attachment ENLORB1A B&H Photo

Not a Number · 05-22-2017, 07:54 PM

Originally posted by sergysergy

flash beamer / extender?

Yes, sounds like fresnel lens flash extender. My old Vivitar 285 has one built on. It concentrates the light slightly to a narrower spread to get more distance.

Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use FX3 B&H
Harbor Digital Design XT-A25 XT Flash Extender Kit XT-A25 B&H
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/61441/?c3api=1876%2C72118895162%2C&gclid...FQ9EfgodTkwFBw

**clackers** · 05-22-2017, 08:11 PM

I've got a Better Beamer - works quite well.

05-22-2017, 02:17 PM	#1
klkitchens Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Allanta, GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 480	Nancy Drew and the Flash Modifier Mystery!. If this is wrong forum, I apologize and please relocate. When I was in Florida, two guys were toting around their Canon gear at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. They had shoe mounted flashes, but in front of them they had a lens type thing to magnifying or scatter the flash. I'd never seen anything like it in my years of photography and they got away before I could ask directly. It was not a bounce per se, the flash was pointed dead ahead and this refractor or whatever was dead in front of it. Not attached to the flash head, but just sitting about 6 inches away. It was like a flat piece of prismatic plastic maybe? Reminded me of the lens on a lighthouse or headlight that magnifies the tiny bulb output. Sadly "flash" and "lens" produce way too many false positives on Google, so I'm hoping the good folk here know what the heck it was I saw.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What drew you to photography?	neostyles	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	15	10-26-2015 10:56 PM
lighting modifier - why brands matter	Wired	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	5	03-25-2015 06:38 AM
Flash modifier	L33tGreg	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	4	11-01-2011 04:10 PM
What's your fav light modifier for portable flashes?	philbaum	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	12	03-25-2011 11:18 AM
This photo drew tears at the wedding	little laker	Post Your Photos!	31	05-17-2008 11:53 AM

05-22-2017, 02:26 PM - 1 Like	#2
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	flash beamer / extender?

05-22-2017, 02:27 PM	#3
klkitchens Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Allanta, GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 480 Original Poster	Originally posted by sergysergy flash beamer? Yep... as always one I'm stumped and ask the question, I start finding it myself. I think that's correct.

05-22-2017, 03:51 PM	#4
Lake Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minnesota Posts: 104	I've used a fresnel lens page magnifier. It works quite well but would be better if it had a mount.

05-22-2017, 05:54 PM	#5
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,677	Originally posted by klkitchens If this is wrong forum, I apologize and please relocate. When I was in Florida, two guys were toting around their Canon gear at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. They had shoe mounted flashes, but in front of them they had a lens type thing to magnifying or scatter the flash. I'd never seen anything like it in my years of photography and they got away before I could ask directly. It was not a bounce per se, the flash was pointed dead ahead and this refractor or whatever was dead in front of it. Not attached to the flash head, but just sitting about 6 inches away. It was like a flat piece of prismatic plastic maybe? Reminded me of the lens on a lighthouse or headlight that magnifies the tiny bulb output. Sadly "flash" and "lens" produce way too many false positives on Google, so I'm hoping the good folk here know what the heck it was I saw. something like so? Orbis Orbis Ring Flash Diffusing Attachment ENLORB1A B&H Photo

05-22-2017, 07:54 PM	#6
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by sergysergy flash beamer / extender? Yes, sounds like fresnel lens flash extender. My old Vivitar 285 has one built on. It concentrates the light slightly to a narrower spread to get more distance. Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender for Use FX3 B&H Harbor Digital Design XT-A25 XT Flash Extender Kit XT-A25 B&H https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/61441/?c3api=1876%2C72118895162%2C&gclid...FQ9EfgodTkwFBw

05-22-2017, 08:11 PM	#7
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	I've got a Better Beamer - works quite well.