During your review Dan, I think you may have missed one important issue when using continuous/ repetitious flash. The Better Beamer allows the air to circulate around the flash module. The MagMod wraps the flash up in a rubber glove ( and no fresh air circulating around the front screen of the flash module). I would question if using the MagMod (especially in hot weather) the user maybe risking melting/damaging their prized flash.
I shot a 4 hour 4 subject grad shoot in hot south Florida weather and had no issues with my Magmod in the Magmod Octa Diffuser and had no issues. I used an AD200 Pro and R2 as a rim light.
Well Thanks for the video. You tried to be unbiased so I will leave it at that. My big issue is that the rubber and the magnet plus the flash unit is too heavy and you are NOT mentioning that in your review. The flash droops and its also a strain on hot shoe and flash bracket. Lens are already heavy to be adding more weight. I see the other uses for the magbeam and the additional stuff you can add. Weight is my main issue not Cost, but as a bird photographer the Better Beamer serves my need. once you secure the BB to the front of the flash its perfect. Nit picking about missing shot putting together the BB....whats that? You miss shots setting up your tripod and attaching lens and other stuff anyway. That part was not fair on your part. It doesn't take that long to put together the BB.
I agree. It takes very little time to set up the BB while setting up the lens on the tripod. Also, I would not leave that hunk of a thing on my flash as it would not allow me to store my flash in the protective pouch.
Methodical2 works fine on my flash pouches. The magnet bits stick out the sides and closing it fully takes a touch more effort, but less than just opening the Velcro to get it open. If your pouch opens at the side it won’t fit, but if it opens at the top, it’s fine.
Well, I purchased the MM to test out. I like the tight light output as shown in the video. As has been stated, it's heavier than the BB and It pulls down the flash. You have to position the magnets so it's pulled up some, but it still seems to point downward. I am going to see if I can rig something to keep the light up. Any ideas out there? It won't fit in the case with the magnets attached, but the magnets are easy to remove, so no issue there.
Hi! Not used the better beamer but the magbeam system is really heavy and the flash head just drops down when the magbeam is attached.you really need to work on this Magmod Guys
While the Magbeam looks to be a good product (not knocking it as I haven't used it), I have used a Better Beamer for longer than you have been a photographer. I feel you are just a seller for the Magbeam. You say the Better Beamer does the job but continue to berate it. I use the Better Beamer in the field and have no issue with it "sticking" or any of the other divisive scoldings you put on it to drive watchers of your video to spend on the Magbeam. An unbias review makes what you're selling more creditable.
Having both, he is right. It is shown in his comparison shots. The tight focused area has very similar quality but look at the surrounding area. The BB leaves more voids around the subject where you can see a flash was used in the photo unless you crop down so far that you lose the surroundings. No adjustments to your beam can be made with the BB. Where if you used the magmod, you can back it down to spread light out more and not have visible voids. BB is also more angle dependent because of the void created and reasons I stated. Add on that if you bump something, you end up with the darkened areas being more in frame which exposes that you used a flash when fill flash is always best when it is hardly apparent. It needs to look natural, not with visible voids that make it look like a spotlight was used. The magmod concentrates the flash better with less voids. Every time I would break out the BB on my remote flash, I was the GTA "Here we go again" meme. It works and is perfectly fine if you plan on cropping out everything but your subject but with MB's versatility, easier setup, concentration of light, and adjustable magnification.... the BB is inferior. I don't see why you took offense to it, though. Everything becomes outdated and it's natural for something better to come along. And it did. The response reminds me of the dumb android vs iphone debates. "My brand is better than your dad's bring! :p " The newer product is technically better and more versatile while the BB is adequate but is lacking in some areas. Why the sore butt?
I have an old better beamer. I have had it forever, has not broken. I don't need to buy anything else so for me the Better beamer is the best choice. I do like the Mag mod for its other abilities. If I had nothing and was going to buy a new unit. I would definitely consider the Magmod. The only reason I would not consider it is because it appears that it sags and starts to point the flash downward. The Better beamer does not do this at all so I guess it depends on what you are doing and if you want to put up with the Magmods downsides. The downsides of the Better Beamer is that it does take longer to install on the flash, but hey it doesn't bother me.
I had the MM and is very heavy and drooping.To fix the drooping I pulled the rubber magnet back into the flash more and that stop it from dropping.Bringing the weight back.
Review is so one-sided. BB is lightweight and can be put in a shirt pocket when not in use. Magbeam came with no directions. On my 300mm, so heavy that it tilts down at about a 20 degree angle. Haven't adjusted yet, now back from an extended trip and watched their video. I had the right idea tried pushing back on the top to get a better angle to succeed, but maybe not enough.
With the MagMod I'm guessing you have to remove the the system mount in order to use the flashes protective case making it a little more problem to install than the BB.
How much does this setup weigh? It'll be interesting to test the Magmod to see if it's worth using. I use the BB now, but I think I may order and test it. If I don't like it I can return it. I'm liking how more uniformed the light is, especially fully opened. Also, I like that it's a system where I can use their other products for portrait photography. As far as your comment goes about coming across wildlife and not being ready with the BB, I would think most photographers would have the flash extender on their gear and not carrying it around in their pocket, so they are always ready, but I guess not. Mine is always mounted and ready to go.
I have them both and its a no brainer in favor of mag mod. The BB is a pain to work with in the field such as on safari and the MM is simply quick , flexible and sturdy. Plus it works in conjunction with their other modifiers so you can take a range of products on the road easilly.
It is a good product but also very heavy, maybe because of the magnets there. If you compare to Better Beemer it is really heavy. This means the tendency is the flash head is going down. You have to react to this not so with flimsy BetterBeamer.
I agree with what you said, Georg. There is issues with both but the BB is lightweight, and stays straight when on speedlite. I noticed with the MM when he extended it fully it droops downwards, so not to be then lined up right in centre of speedlite flash. This would also be a major problem if you used a weaker style of flash bracket, it would tilt forward even moreso. I'll stick with the BB, for 35 dollars it's a winner.
I have the MM and it works great when mounted on my gimbal with 400mm 2.8. Droop isn't a problem. Alignment is adjusted by tweaking the rubber piece attached to the speed light. It takes a few seconds to set up and is very durable. Very pleased with the whole MM system.
thanks for the comparison , bought the mag mod , having a 500mm f2.8 a small amount of extra weight does not bother me just goto the gym and build your muscles up a bit.
It’s heavy but it doesn’t matter if it is. It’s heavy for the flash not for the users. You are all making it seem like it’s heavier than your camera. It’s not that heavy in comparison to its quality. Also how is that being heavy even a problem? If you’re among your light horizontally which is how the flash should be you’ll be fine. Also as far as heating issues I’ve mentioned it to another user that I did a 4 hour session with my AD200 and R2 and no problems at all.
The weight complaints aren't due to being heavier to carry, it's because the flash droops. This is a big problem with many, many complaints. Just look at some of the reviews out there that aren't as biased as this one.
Hi Dan, which is better for panning? Whilst the Better Beamer looks fussy to set up, it also looks like it would stay in alignment better when panning, due to it's lighter weight. The Magbeam looks like it might wobble in panning due to it's weight and flexibility.
Looks like a biased review to me. The Magmod weighs double, cost double and produces the same amount of extra light. The extra positions are a waste of time if you use a flash with a zoom head.
After the better beamer fell off a couple of times and finally cracked I bought the Magmod In the former it's recommended that we set it to 50 mm ...is there any advise on the Magmod?
Sure don't like why you are running down the Better Beamer. It was designed to be light weight and pack down flat. For the wildlife photographer, you can't afford to carry around large, heavy and bulky equipment. For what is is designed to do, it far outweighs the MagBeam unit.
That's a good point. I've been using a Better Beamer for about 14 years. I'm intrigued by the Magmod. But the Better Beamer takes zero space since it folds flat. Great for airline travel. I think I'll just stay with that.
Ziploc bag works perfect for carrying the better Beamer. Flimsy is not as accurate a word as like weight. Flimsy implies that it might break easily and I've had no evidence of that. It seems the problems you encountered were your own decision not to to pack it and carry it in a sample bag
In psychology it’s called "Justification of choice", usually when someone knows they have spent far too much on something they have to justify that choice. The annoying thing about MagMod is that it’s just a Lastolite knock off, which although cheaper is also a rip off.
