Fill Flash for Birds at feeder

Build a blind to hide in and leave it there a week or two. Birds get
used to it. I like the remote control idea with the tripod. Birds may
not even care about a camera on a tripod with no human around. A
specular flash will be fine for birds. Gets some high lights off of
their feathers. A far side reflector can help fill in shadows.
Bob Howell wrote:

I have a new canon 400mm f/5.6 lens and Rebel G and want to take pictures of
birds around feeder but every where around the house is shade, deep shade.
Will I be limited to Tripod?I also have 2x tele extender. This gives great
shot at about 18-30 feet. The lens cleaned me out. SWMBO will limit funds
for awhile. Where could I read up on flash attachments that would provide
fill flash? Books, Web sites? My plan is to place it on the patio and focus
on one of several perches, then sit 10-15 ft away on screen porch to
activate.

Bob Howell wrote:

I have a new canon 400mm f/5.6 lens and Rebel G and want to take
pictures of birds around feeder but every where around the house is
shade, deep shade. Will I be limited to Tripod?I also have 2x tele
extender. This gives great shot at about 18-30 feet. The lens cleaned
me out. SWMBO will limit funds for awhile. Where could I read up on
flash attachments that would provide fill flash? Books, Web sites? My
plan is to place it on the patio and focus on one of several perches,
then sit 10-15 ft away on screen porch to activate.
.."
If it's that dim, I'd use the tripod to hold the flash a few feet from the
bird and a slave to trigger it. That way you can hand hold or get a monopod
to hold the camera. With 100 film the background prolly won't come out at
all, and you'll get a good separation. Birds aren't bothered by flash. A
small auto lite or two can prolly be had for 5 or 10 bucks.
Bob Hickey

Bob Howell wrote:

I have a new canon 400mm f/5.6 lens and Rebel G and want to take
pictures of birds around feeder but every where around the house is
shade, deep shade. Will I be limited to Tripod?I also have 2x tele
extender. This gives great shot at about 18-30 feet. The lens cleaned
me out. SWMBO will limit funds for awhile. Where could I read up on
flash attachments that would provide fill flash? Books, Web sites? My
plan is to place it on the patio and focus on one of several perches,
then sit 10-15 ft away on screen porch to activate.
.."
If it's that dim, I'd use the tripod to hold the flash a few feet from the
bird and a slave to trigger it. That way you can hand hold or get a monopod
to hold the camera. With 100 film the background prolly won't come out at
all, and you'll get a good separation. Birds aren't bothered by flash. A
small auto lite or two can prolly be had for 5 or 10 bucks.
Bob Hickey