When I started with digital, I used a Snoot on the AF500FTZ on my *istD
I would set the camera to 1/150 (max shutter sync) and stop the lens down in manual exposure to about -1 to -2 stops, this left a partially exposed but darkish background, and a bright subject.
I got away from flash when Pentax discontinued TTL support and went for the p-TTL because of the preflash on the K10 Later bodies with improved high iso, left me using only natural light and pushing the iso, although I still think flash under the foliage is better, (not just quality but also white balance). Also the 540FGZ used preflash for focus assist not the red focus assist of the AF500FTZ.
I have better beamers for my 540FGZ but personally a snoot is better.
The advantage with flash is of course the sharpness, flash durations are typically well below 100 microseconds, and not only does this freeze the image but the harshness and point source nature of the lighting generates high contrast on the feathers.
Last edited by Lowell Goudge; 03-02-2021 at 11:56 AM.