Gerhard Hofmann , Sep 09, 2005; 02:01 p.m.
I love my Better Beamer it is so versatile and effective that I
rarely leave without it for a photo-trip. Working in the desert the
last week I had to learn the limitations. The backlight condition
was perfect for the cactus and the now and then perching Cactus
Wren. The smell of melting plastic got my attention a bit to late ?
The sun and the Better Beamer had already done their job. The front
of the 580 EX is therefore a bit out of shape but it still works
Gerhard
flash after the photo session in the desert
Jim Strutz - Anchorage, AK 
, Sep 09, 2005; 02:29 p.m.
Wow! They say it focuses the light, but I thought that was meant for the other direction. I never would have thought...
Mark Chappell , Sep 09, 2005; 04:15 p.m.
This issue has been known for a long time among better beamer afficionados. My 550EX has
at least one scorch mark. Just be glad this didn't happen to the back of your neck or your
hand (possible, depending on how you carry the rig and where you place your hand when
shooting).
Gerhard Hofmann , Sep 09, 2005; 04:38 p.m.
Oh yeah I know it, I still carry the scar on my neck from the sun in the Australian Desert. After this incident I avoided the habit to carry around the Lens/flash-combination over my shoulder for a couple of months. But this method is just to slow so I went back to my old habit and take the risk. I don?t complain about the little scares on my flash the picture where worth it.
Gerhard
Frank Uhlig , Sep 11, 2005; 11:00 a.m.
Jim., you just wrote :
" .. They say it focuses the light, but I thought that was meant for the other direction. I never would have thought.."
I realize that you just now learned that light paths and the direction of optics are reversible. Wonderful! Have you never looked into binoculars the wrong way? I cannot believe you never did ... And now you have had that "eureka" moment. Great! It may make you a more conscious photographer now.
Mark Chappell , Sep 11, 2005; 01:07 p.m.
I can't discern the spirit of Frank's response (kind of snarky was my impression), but there is
a possibly serious issue with using Better Beamers in dry conditions. If you put your beamer-
equipped flash rig down casually, and it's near something flammable (dry grass), the focused
sunlight could start a fire.
Jim Strutz - Anchorage, AK , Sep 12, 2005; 02:05 a.m.
"It may make you a more conscious photographer now."
Doubt it -- don't have a Better Beamer.
Am I supposed to find humor in your post, Frank? I did see humor in the original post. Did you?
Alex Lofquist , Sep 12, 2005; 03:29 p.m.
Response to Better Beamer.
Perhaps there is a market for a mini-Venitian Blind to fit it.
Walang Pangalan , Sep 12, 2005; 08:07 p.m.
Users of long lenses know the same thing can happen with the Sun at your back (and above), with the light focused onto the distal regions of the dorsal lens surface. The Experienced have built shades for their beamers to prevent Awfulness...
