Canon 580 EX Flash

[DaiTheDragon]

Due to the miserably weather lately and the fact that a lot of the birds I photograph are in wooded areas with very little light I am thinking of getting the 580 flash. I gueass the birds are 30-50 ft away although sometimes closer. The cameras I will be using are either the 30D or the 1D MarkllN and the 100-400 canon or my 70-200 f2.8 with a 1.4 conveter.
Question. Will the flash be usable with the 100-400, what sort of distance will the flash be capable of and can I use it in AV mode.
One other thing, does the flash scare the birds off.
If you are really kind, can you give suggested settings for the Camera and Flash.
Thanks in advance,

Dai

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi Dai,

get a Flash X-tender from warehouseexpress.It costs £35 it attaches to the flash and narrows the beam of the flash for use with telephoto lenses.It is supposed to increase the light by 3 stops.

I havn't noticed my flash to scare birds.The noise of the shutter I find more of a disturbance.

neil

[Boddie]

I have this lens but cant answer the question mate. I do remember Kev Lewis having what looked like the 580 on his set up at Slimbridge though.

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Boddie

I have this lens but cant answer the question mate. I do remember Kev Lewis having what looked like the 580 on his set up at Slimbridge though.

If Kev has one, it must work at pretty good distances as he rarely takes that 600mm prime off!