{"id":64152,"date":"2014-11-24T12:18:19","date_gmt":"2014-11-24T12:18:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/?p=64152"},"modified":"2019-11-09T00:11:11","modified_gmt":"2019-11-09T08:11:11","slug":"profoto-b1-airttl-review-in-the-studio-flash-duration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/profoto-b1-airttl-review-in-the-studio-flash-duration\/","title":{"rendered":"Profoto B1 AirTTL Review in the studio: Features and flash duration examined"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” admin_label=”Hero” _builder_version=”3.22.3″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#0c1319″ background_color_gradient_end=”#2b3a42″ background_color_gradient_direction=”60deg” box_shadow_style=”preset7″ box_shadow_horizontal=”0px” box_shadow_vertical=”-80px” box_shadow_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”20px|0px|0px|0px”][et_pb_row custom_padding=”|||” _builder_version=”3.22.3″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”3.23.3″ text_font=”Open Sans|600|||||||” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” text_orientation=”center” background_layout=”dark” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”center”]<\/p>\n

Profoto B1 AirTTL Review in the studio:<\/h1>\n

Features and flash duration examined<\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rfkHNft1KoQ” image_src=”\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/rfkHNft1KoQ\/hqdefault.jpg” _builder_version=”3.19.7″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(198,198,198,0.3)” module_alignment=”center” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”top” animation_intensity_slide=”10%” animation_starting_opacity=”80%”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” _builder_version=”3.22.3″][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ specialty_columns=”3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.7″]<\/p>\n

Profoto B1 AirTTL: How good battery powered flash for a studio photographer? Hands-on review and freezing action test.<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

The Profoto B1 AirTTL is a new battery powered flash unit that is based on the Profoto D1 Air series but is made to take on the road. It has the same housing, the integrated reflector, and the built-in receiver that works with the Profoto Air transmitters.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

By using the Air Remote TTL-C for Canon or Air Remote TTL-N for Nikon, you have the ability to be up and running quickly. We know that Profoto equipment is known for quality products, the question becomes, how well does the Profoto B1 AirTTL and is it suitable for working in a product photography setting?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Profoto B1\u00a0AirTTl on the beach:<\/em><\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nB1KMls5ZBE” image_src=”\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/nB1KMls5ZBE\/hqdefault.jpg” _builder_version=”3.19.7″][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.7″] <\/p>\n

Cool facts about ProFoto B1 AirTTL monolight:<\/em><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Simple and easy to operate controls:<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n

<\/p>\n

As you can see, the back of the unit is where you can control manage the settings. You have the LCD display that reflects what the current setup is, a button to manage the model light settings, a TEST button, the large dial\/button in the middle is where you manage the energy settings, and a READY button, as well as the SYNC button.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

There are also two modes that the Profoto B1 AirTTL works in – Normal which is optimized for color temperature stability over the entire energy range, and Freeze mode which is the setting that you would use to stop fast action.<\/p>\n

<\/strong>
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/1-37.jpg” alt=”Profoto B1 AirTTL Review in the studio” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.7″]<\/p>\n

Short Flash Duration in “Freeze” mode:<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

\nThe graph below shows the flash duration between Freeze Mode and Normal Mode.
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/2-37.jpg” alt=”Profoto B1 AirTTL Review in the studio” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.7″]<\/p>\n

As far as the ability to freeze action, the Profoto B1 AirTTL performed remarkably well. Even at flash durations of 1\/1000 of a second its ability to stop motion was relatively good. Moving up the scale, it continued to improve on its ability to freeze motion and therefore would work really well in the studio.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/3-31.jpg” alt=”Profoto B1 AirTTL Review in the studio” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.7″]<\/p>\n

Build Quality:<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n

The unit itself is built like the D1 Air series. It is made of dense, durable polymer housing and is able to use the Profoto series of light modifiers. As shown in the video, the attachments make for a solid connection that will make you feel confident that everything is secure and ready to use.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/4-26.jpg” alt=”Profoto B1 AirTTL Review in the studio” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.7″]<\/p>\n

Full control via air hot-shoe remote:<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n

By using the Profoto Air Remote TTL, you have the ability to manage the settings of the Profoto B1 AirTTL when working in TTL mode. While this is not as useful when shooting in a studio in manual mode, when you are on location and need to have more control at the camera, this may come in handy.<\/p>\n

<\/strong>
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/5-21.jpg” alt=”Profoto B1 AirTTL Review in the studio” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.7″]<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong>:<\/em><\/h4>\n

The Profoto B1 AirTTL is very well built unit that performs well both out in the field as well as in the studio. For a studio photographer the major disadvantage is that it is only battery operated. It is rated to get around 220 flashes on a charged battery unit (this is variable based on the power used for each shot). This means that you would have to have two or three batteries available for the typical shoot. It takes around two hours to charge a battery (one with the optional quick charger). There is also no warning prior to the battery running out.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The B1 has the ability to recycle in 0.1 to 1.9 seconds, but can also pop off around 20 shots per second in Quick Burst mode which might be useful when shooting a sequence of high speed shots. The duration range goes from 1\/1000 sec. at full power to 1\/11,000 sec. at minimum power in Normal Mode and can go to 1\/19,000 sec. at minimum power in Freeze Mode.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I think that the Profoto B1 AirTTL can be useful to the product photographer given that they have enough charged batteries to work a complete shoot. The quality is there and the ability to capture for both color quality when working in standard situations and the ability to freeze motion when high speed capture is needed. This system would be especially useful for the photographer who has to travel on location frequently and not have to lug larger power packs.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.7″]\"\"<\/p>\n

Pros:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Short flash duration with the ability to freeze action.
\nPortable and powerful.
\nBoth Color and Freeze modes.
\nAvailability of Profoto light modifiers.
\nBag to hold all of your gear when traveling.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.7″]\"\"<\/p>\n

Cons:<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

220 shots per battery charge is not really enough to handle most product photo shoots.
\nNo AC power connector direct to the flash unit.
\nNo warning that the battery is dead before it stops working.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.7″]<\/p>\n

— More about Profoto B1 AirTTL —<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Download Specification and User Guide:<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

— Where to buy Profoto B1 AirTTL —<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”3.19.7″]<\/p>\n\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n

\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Profoto B1 500 AirTTL Battery Powered Flash<\/h4>\n

<\/a>Optional Remote Control with Air TTL-C\/N<\/br>Full E-TTL II with Canon Cameras<\/br>Full i-TTL with Nikon Cameras<\/br>500W\/s, 9-Stop Power Range<\/br>Lithium-ion Battery Powered<\/br>Up to 220 Full-Power Flashes<\/br>Flash Duration: 1\/19,000 \u2013 1\/1,000 Sec<\/br>LED Modeling Lamp, 20 fps Burst Mode<\/br>0.1 \u2013 1.9 Sec. Recycling<\/br>Fan Cooled, Built-in 77\u00b0 Reflector<\/br><\/td>\n

\t<\/tr>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n

\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Profoto Lithium-ion Battery for B1 500 AirTTL<\/h4>\n

<\/a>220 full Power Flashes<\/br>Charges in 2 Hours with 2.8A Charger<\/br>Charges in 1 Hour with 4.5A Charger<\/br>Charge Status LEDs<\/td>\n

\t<\/tr>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n

\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Profoto Air Remote TTL-C for B1 Air (Canon E-TTL)<\/h4>\n

<\/a>8 Channels, 3 Groups<\/br>Full E-TTL Control<\/br>First and Rear Curtain Sync<\/br>Modeling Light Control<\/br>330 \u2013 1,000\u2032 Range<\/br>Mini-USB for Firmware Updates<\/br>+\/- 2 Stop Control in TTL<\/br>+\/- 9 Stop Control in Manual<\/br>2.4GHz Bandwidth<\/br><\/td>\n

\t<\/tr>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n

\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Profoto Fast Battery Charger 4.5A for B1 500 AirTTL<\/h4>\n

<\/a>1 Hour Charge Time on B1 Battery<\/br>100-240VAC<\/br>Charge Status LEDs<\/br><\/td>\n

\t<\/tr>\n

<\/table>\n

[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.7″]<\/p>\n

Check out more freezing action Splash shot (and learn how to do them<\/a>)<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”64219,64220,64221,64222,64223,64224″ posts_number=”6″ show_title_and_caption=”off” show_pagination=”off” _builder_version=”3.19.7″][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_sidebar orientation=”right” area=”et_pb_widget_area_4″ _builder_version=”3.17.1″][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Profoto B1 AirTTL Review in the studio: Features and flash duration examined Profoto B1 AirTTL: How good battery powered flash for a studio photographer? Hands-on review and freezing action test. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4869,"featured_media":64263,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9489],"tags":[11030,3172,3173,15445,4165,2464,15798,15797,3224,3174],"yst_prominent_words":[15706,15712,15717,15649,15795,15652,15651,15794,15646,15647,15644,15796,15722,2718,15692,15650,15746,15645,15643,15748],"class_list":["post-64152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lighting","tag-camera","tag-gear","tag-lenses","tag-lighting","tag-photographer","tag-photography","tag-profoto-b1-airttl","tag-profoto-b1-airttl-review-in-the-studio","tag-review","tag-studio"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4869"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64152"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64152\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64263"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64152"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=64152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}