First Look at

What will happen if you marry E-TTL speedlite and a hi-end studio monolight?

Here is what came up from Sweden engineers  from ProFoto:

This is a quick shot we got in the studio – with B1 Air in “slave” mode: this is how  cookies (in Russian they called “sushki”) were highlighted.

We got a pair of ProFoto B1 500 AirTTL Battery Powered Monolight Flash for a KelbyOne WorldWide photo walk (October, 11th – signup here), and this is my first experience with this amazing strobe.

This is not a comprehensive review, but a very first user experience I want to share with our readers. The whole review will be created after few weeks of shooting with Profoto B1 – in and out the studio.

Few shots we got with this ProFoto B1 test on the beach is below

Simple “strobist-like” shots with a single “unmodified” light. Watch for more fun shots soon:-)

Profoto B1 AitTTL back panel – easy to read, easy to use:

Profoto B1 AitTTL Canon camera transmitter:

B1 500 AirTTL Specification:

Max energy:500Ws
Energy range:9 f-stops (2-500Ws)
Energy control increments:1/10 or full f-stops
Recycling time:0.1-1.9 (Quick burst up to 20 flashes/second)
Max modeling light (W):20W LED (Output eqvivalent to 70W Halogen)
Modeling light control:Off, Proportional, Free (5-100%)
Mode control:Freeze (shortest flash duration) or Normal (color balance) mode
Flash duration Normal mode (t0.5):1/11,000s (2Ws) – 1/1,000s (500Ws)
Flash duration Freeze mode (t0.5):1/19,000s (2Ws) – 1/1,000s (500Ws)
Energy stability Normal mode:+-1/20 f-stop flash to flash
Energy stability Freeze mode:+-1/20 f-stop flash to flash
Color stability Normal mode:+-150K over range; +-20K flash to flash
Color stability Freeze mode:+-800K over range; +-50K flash to flash
Energy control increments:1/10 or full f-stops
Guide number @ 2m / 100 ISO with Magnum Reflector:45 2/10
Input power supply:Exchangeble Lithium-Ion Battery 14.4V/3Ah
Battery capacity:Up to 220 full power flashes

Syncronization and Control

Sync socket(s):1
Wire sync voltage:Compliant to ISO 10330 standard
Wire sync connector:3.5mm Mini-Phono
Photocell/IR-slave and switch:Yes
Radio sync & control:Yes, Built in AirTTL supporting wireless sync, control and TTL. (Requires Air Remote TTL. Sold separately.)
Radio sync range:Up to 300m (1000ft)
MAC / PC control:Yes, via optional Profoto Air USB transceiver and Profoto Studio software.

Miscellaneous

Function display:Multifunction LCD display
Fan cooling:Yes, thermally controlled fan speed for low noice level.
Ready signaling:Yes, ready lamp, dim and/or switchable beep sound.
Auto dumping:Yes
USB interface:Yes, USB Mini port for FW upgrading
Quick burst:Quick burst capability of up to 20 flashes per second.

Measurements

Diameter:14cm (5.5″)
Length:31cm (12.2″)
Height:21cm (8.3″)
Weight:3kg (Including batteries) 6.6 LBS 3kg (Including batteries)

Watch for updates  – we’ll have much more after SF Photowalk! Fashion shoot set is ready:

Where to buy ProFoto B1 AIRTTL: