Theres a thread somewhere around here about changing the zoom level of your optics. A simpler method is to just use the free cam to zoom over and check out the flag. Either way is kinda a cheat IMO (big cheat in the free cam case). I use the free cam just cause I dont wanna get into the game files and screw something up.
As far as Im concerned this is one of those realism vs gameplay issues. I like realism but if it starts negatively affect my gameplay enjoyment... well.... Certail liberties do get taken.