Using Flash Units with Telephoto Lens (1 Viewer)

I need some basic information on the use of an external flash/telephoto lens to take bird photos on cloudy days, to bring out feather detail, etc. I use a Sony A-700 and was thinking of purchasing a Sony HVL-F56AM Flash, which should be good to 40 feet or so. It also can be fired remotely, and at high shutter speeds. I also use a Tamron 200-500mm. I know that the flash position is important, as to not have the long lens cast a shadow, etc, but
the specs of the flash always refer to much shorter focal lengths. I need some basic info from photographers who use flash units to photo birds

Hi, onlybill

I'm from Houston as well, and I suggest you look at www.birdsasart.com the website for Arthur Morris a well know US bird photographer from Florida. Both his book Birds As Art(out of print) and its revision, an e-book on CD Birds As Art II cover this subject. Also check out http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/index.php I'm sure you will find more info on using flash there.

I shoot with a Canon system, but use an external flash and flash extender for many of my bird photographs, see my pbase site for examples. I frequently shoot using fill flash at a fixed shutter speed 1/250 sec. and let camera control aperture and -2/3 to -1 flash compensation.

Hope this helps,

Dick