Do Flash Extenders really work ?????

[Bill Huber]

I have looked at some flash extenders and I am not sure if they really work or not. I do not know of anyone that has every used one, has anyone here used one and if so how good are they.

Do they really work....???
I have been looking at the Kirk Photo's Flash X-Tender.

[Trey Neal]

Hi Bill - In answer to your question whether they work - absolutely! I use a Better Beamer - basically the same thing as Kirk's - fresnel lens attached to the flash head. I can tell you that they will put a substantial amount of light quite a distance further and it is very concentrated light with very little spread. Almost like shining a spotlight on the subject. You end up dialing the flash down because it can be overwhelming.

If you get one and it attaches to the head with a large band, I recommend modifying the system a little. I already had the loop side of velcro on my flash head for attaching a Lumiquest Mini softbox - all I did to the BB was add the hook side of the velcro to the 'arms' of the BB and it now stays in place - rock solid.

[Bill Huber]

Originally Posted by Trey Neal

Hi Bill - In answer to your question whether they work - absolutely! I use a Better Beamer - basically the same thing as Kirk's - fresnel lens attached to the flash head. I can tell you that they will put a substantial amount of light quite a distance further and it is very concentrated light with very little spread. Almost like shining a spotlight on the subject. You end up dialing the flash down because it can be overwhelming.

If you get one and it attaches to the head with a large band, I recommend modifying the system a little. I already had the loop side of velcro on my flash head for attaching a Lumiquest Mini softbox - all I did to the BB was add the hook side of the velcro to the 'arms' of the BB and it now stays in place - rock solid.

Thanks, that is what I wanted to know, I use the Lumiquest 80/20 and the softbox so I will be doing the same thing. I just have to check and see which one will work with my Oly FL-50.

Again, thanks