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Posts Tagged ‘Profoto’

(Select) Android smartphones now work with Profoto’s professional lights via Profoto Camera app beta

02 Dec

One of the most-asked questions Profoto received after releasing its Profoto Camera app for iOS was: ‘when will it be available for Android devices?’ Now, four months after releasing the Profoto Camera app for iOS alongside the release of its B10/B10 Plus strobes, an Android version is here, albeit in beta and limited to a select number of Samsung devices, for now.

As with its iOS counterpart, the Profoto Camera app for Android beta makes it possible for Android users to trigger a number of its strobes, speedlights and compact LED lights using the company’s AirX Smart-TTL technology. Specifically, the app will work with Profoto’s A10, B10, B10 Plus, C1 and C1 Plus flashes, bringing full flash tube sync support.

Click to enlarge.

Getting this support wasn’t easy, says Profoto in its announcement post:

‘One difference in synchronizing external flash to a mobile device compared to traditional capturing devices like DSLR or MILC is that smartphone cameras require a much more flexible flash-length on different shutter speeds. This makes it more difficult to fire the flash at the exact time and duration to light the image. Up until now, attempts to synchronize the two have fallen short, making Profoto the world’s first company to successfully bring the full power of professional flashes to smartphones with their proprietary Profoto AirX technology’

The Profoto Camera app for Android is available for free in the Google Play Store as an ‘early access’ beta starting today for the following Samsung smartphones running Android OS 8 or later:

  • Galaxy S8 line
  • Galaxy S9 line
  • Galaxy S10 line
  • Galaxy S20 line
  • Galaxy Note 9 line
  • Galaxy Note 10 line
  • Galaxy Note 20 line

Profoto doesn’t specify when the app will likely be out of beta, nor when we can expect to see support for other phones. It’s likely going to be a slow-going process, as Profoto needs to create specific algorithms for each device to ensure compatibility with the onboard camera systems—no small feat considering the fragmentation of devices running Android OS.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Profoto updates B10 series flashes for iPhone camera compatibility

08 Jul

There’s no shortage of lighting accessories available for smartphones, ranging from small LED lights to more sophisticated Xenon-flash solutions like the Godox A1 or the Profoto C1. However, all those solutions are more or less designed for maximum portability and amateur use. If you needed professional-level studio lighting that is fully compatible with smartphone cameras, you were pretty much out of luck…until now.

Profoto has announced it’s made its B10 flash series compatible with Apple’s iPhone cameras. The B10 and B10 Plus are compact studio flash heads and have a powerful continuous light source for videographers as well. They come with removable lithium-ion battery and have output control via the company’s AirTTL system. The B10 is a 250Ws unit while the slightly larger and heavier B10 Plus doubles the output.

‘This is a revolutionary innovation, said Profoto CEO Anders Hedebark. ‘Making professional flash available to smartphones has the potential to be ground-breaking, just like how the transition from analog to digital cameras once changed everything. We believe freedom with connectivity is the next step for professional photography. No matter what kind of photographer you are, it’s all about the light. And we want to offer image creators to work with great light, regardless of what capturing device you chose to use.‘

Shot on iPhone with B10 series flash by Andrea Belluso

Profoto says it has been able to make the B10 series units work with the iPhone by using ‘a range of advanced technologies.’ The company’s AirX technology has been key to the project as it allows users to clock synchronize Bluetooth devices. The flash unit has to fire at exactly the right point in time, and for the right length of time. Using Bluetooth-sync iPhone photographers who use the B10 series can capture images at 1/25.000 sec exposure time and still sync the full power.

‘One challenge when working with smartphone cameras is that they require much more flexible flash-length on different shutter speeds than for instance DSLR or MILC. This has forced us to refine our methods with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) flashes into long, or extremely short, pulses with an exact and controlled intensity‘, explained Göran Marén, Product Manager at Profoto.

Most serious photographers who are happy to lug a portable flash system like the B10 around will almost certainly also carry a DSLR or mirrorless camera. However, this is still very good news from Profoto as it simply gives you the option to shoot with an iPhone on those occasions when you have to work with a flash but absolutely have to or want to minimize the bulk you carry. It also makes the iPhone a potential backup device should your main camera fail on a studio shoot.

Shot on iPhone with B10 series flash by Profoto product manager mobile Marko Pirc

iPhone connectivity for the Profoto B10 flash series is available from today. Profoto B10 users will have to update the flash firmware for the new feature to work which can be done through the Profoto app. The feature requires iOS 11.0 or later and works with the iPhone 7 and newer models.

The Profoto app also allows you to control B10 and B10 Plus strobes from both iPhones and Android devices when shooting with a ‘real’ camera.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro is a Profoto B10 competitor for 1/3rd the price

07 May

Adorama’s house brand Flashpoint has formally announced the much-anticipated XPLOR 300 Pro. The 300W/s battery-powered monolight, which is a rebranded version of the Godox AD 300 Pro, is available starting today for $ 499.

As its name alludes to, the CPLOR 300 Pro offers 300W/s of power with nine stops of control, a minimum flash duration between 1/220 and 1/11490, a recycle time between 0.01 and 1.5 seconds depending on the power level and a 2,600Ah battery that can fire off up to 320 max-power flashes on a single charge. The light also features a bi-color 12W LED modeling light, TTL metering, high-speed sync up to 1/8000th of a second and a 328-foot range when used with Flashpoint’s R2 Pro Mark II trigger.

The XPLOR 300 Pro measures in at 19cm (7.48”) long, and 10cm (3.94”) in diameter, and weighs just 1.25kg (2.76lbs). It comes with a Bowens S-Type bracket, but Flashpoint also offers a number of adapters for mounting lighting modifiers from Broncolor, Elinchrom and Profoto.

Below is an overview video of the Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro from Adorama:

As is the case for many of Flashpoint and Godox products, the XPLOR 300 Pro is meant to be a direct competitor to Profoto’s more expensive 250W/s B10 monolight, which retails for $ 1,695—more than three times the price. You won’t get all of the extra controls or fine-tuning the B10 offers, but for less than 1/3rd the price, Flashpoint drives a hard bargain.

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The Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro is currently available to purchase at Adorama for $ 499 and comes with the monolight, a single rechargeable Li-Ion battery, the flashtube, a charger with a power adapter, a basic reflector, a protective cap and a case to carry it all in. While the light is also sold as the Godox AD 300 Pro, the Flashpoint unit carries a two-year warranty when purchased in the United States through Adorama.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Profoto adds Android support to its B10, B10 Plus strobes via Profoto Connect app

31 Jan

Profoto has announced it’s added Android compatibility for its B10 and B10 Plus strobes via its Profoto Control Android app.

Until now, only iOS users were able to control their B10 and B10 Plus strobes on their mobile devices. Now, Android users can control nearly every setting available on the strobes and even perform wireless firmware updates.

The Profoto Control Android app is free to download in the Google Play Store and works with smartphones running Android 7 or later.

Now for Android – Profoto B10 & B10 Plus

Profoto announces Android compatibility for B10 & B10 Plus’s control, offering seamless smartphone connectivity to more photographers.

In September 2018, Profoto launched the B10, a powerful battery-powered flash in a compact size. Shortly afterward in 2019, Profoto released the ever so slightly bigger brother the B10 Plus. Since then, the B10 series has been the preferred light for on-location photographers globally.

At the time, iPhone users could enjoy the freedom to control light by a simple swipe on their smartphone screen. Today, Profoto also offers that freedom to Android users through the Profoto Control Android app available on Google Play Store.

The Profoto B10 series are seriously small with the Profoto B10 similar in size to a medium camera lens and the B10 Plus around the size of a large camera lens. That said, both lights punch significantly above their weight with the Profoto B10 delivering five times the power of a speedlight and the B10 Plus providing twice that amount; light that’s natural and beautiful with a soft, gentle fall-off.

Trigger and control them wirelessly with ease from any Profoto Air remote, from Profoto Connect, or the Profoto A1 or A1X. You can point and shoot with TTL or switch to manual control at any time.

With the B10 & B10 Plus connected to the Profoto Control Android app, you can easily view and control all B10 and B10 Plus settings from the palm of your hand and install new updates in seconds.

Wherever your shoot takes you, Profoto B10 series provides you the power to create with seamless smartphone connectivity – now available for all Android and iPhone users.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Profoto A1X studio light and Off-Camera Kit now support Fujifilm cameras

06 Dec

The Profoto A1X, a model the company says is the smallest studio light d on the market, can now be used with Fujifilm cameras. The new support covers the Profoto A1X AirTTL-F model, as well as the Off-Camera Kit featuring a button-free trigger and the Profoto Connect.

The Profoto A1X AirTTL-F studio light connects to a camera’s hot shoe, offering up to 450 full-power flashes, a rapid full-power recycling speed at 1 second, as well as 20 wireless channels and an updated UI from the previous A1 model.

The A1X likewise features a 6.9cm (2.75in) round tilting and rotating head with 76W of flash output via an LED modeling light, as well as auto-zoom functionality with a manual override, support for high-speed sync (HSS), shutter speeds as fast as 1/8000s, and a built-in white-on-black LCD.

The Profoto A1X AirTTL-F studio light for Fujifilm is available from B&H Photo now for $ 1,095; the A1X Off-Camera Kit for Fujifilm is currently listed for preorder at $ 1,195.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Profoto Connect and Air Remote TTL transmitters now compatible with Panasonic cameras

07 Nov

Profoto has announced it’s collaborated with Panasonic to bring Profoto Connect and Profoto Air Remote TTL support to the manufacturer’s cameras. As Panasonic said in its own press release today, owners of the LUMIX S1R, S1, GH5, GH5S and G9 models can update their firmware in order to use the two Profoto wireless transmitters.

The newly supported Profoto Air Remote TTL-O/P and Connect-O/P wireless transmitters can be attached to a supported Panasonic camera’s hot shoe for full TTL/HSS capability with the maker’s AirTTL flashes. This is one aspect of the overall Panasonic firmware updates, which also bring things like support for CFexpress Type B cards, better support with Sigma L-mount lenses and the MC-21 mount converter, and more.

The Profoto Connect is available for $ 299 and the Profoto Air Remote TTL is available for $ 429. The Panasonic firmware updates, meanwhile, can be found on the company’s support website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Profoto Launches Two Amazing Lights for Smartphone Photographers

20 Sep

The post Profoto Launches Two Amazing Lights for Smartphone Photographers appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Profoto Launches Two Amazing Lights for Smartphone Photographers

If you’re a smartphone photographer, then you’ve probably struggled to deal with indoor lighting. After all, smartphones don’t come with a high-quality flash; it’s easy to get noisy images when shooting indoors.

Until now.

Because Profoto has just released two lights made specifically for the smartphone: The Profoto C1 and the Profoto C1 Plus.

What are the C1 and C1 Plus?

The two items are billed as Profoto’s “very first studio lights for smartphones.” They’re small, orb-shaped lights, and they’re compact enough that you can take them anywhere without much hassle.

According to Profoto:

The light the C1 product range delivers is natural looking and beautiful with a soft, gentle fall-off…[F]rom now on you will always have natural-looking, beautiful light with you.

Note that the C1 Plus is both more expensive and more advanced than the C1. The C1 Plus includes a greater power output (4300 lumens versus 1600 lumens). The C1 Plus also includes a thread mount, so you can screw the light onto a stand and shoot with both hands. And the C1 Plus features better battery life than the C1.

Both the C1 and the C1 Plus offer rechargeable batteries. They also include multiple modes for increased flexibility: a continuous shooting mode and a flash mode. To use the Profoto lights, you can pair them with your smartphone via the special Profoto Camera app. Then you can take photos that are synced with the Profoto flash.

The Profoto C1 costs $ 299, while the Profoto C1 Plus costs $ 499.

But just who are these lights for?

If you like to use your smartphone on the fly, without any preparation, then I’d recommend against the Profoto C1. Despite its small size, you probably don’t want to carry the flash with you constantly. But if you’re the type of shooter who often shoots in low-light situations or prefers to capture more carefully considered shots, then the Profoto C1 could be exactly what you need.

If the Profoto C1 captures your attention, then you should also check out another product: The Godox R1, which was announced a few hours after the C1/C1 Plus announcement. The Godox light is similar to the C1 and C1 Plus, though it offers slightly different lighting options. For those hoping to purchase the Godox R1, keep an eye out for a release date!

Would you use either of these lights? what are your thoughts? Share with us in the comments!

The post Profoto Launches Two Amazing Lights for Smartphone Photographers appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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Profoto launches C1, C1 Plus mini studio lights for smartphones

19 Sep

Profoto has unveiled a small studio light that was designed specifically for smartphone use. The Profoto C1 and C1 Plus are small enough to fit in a pocket, retaining the same portability of smartphones while offering more advanced lighting capabilities than what is offered by the average phone flash.

The Profoto C1 and C1 Plus both feature rounded designs, as well as automatic flash power and exposure alongside a manual control option. The lights are designed to wirelessly connect with the user’s smartphone using Bluetooth, after which point they work in tandem with the Profoto camera app.

Both models feature a Li-Polymer battery that recharges in two hours using USB-C. The fully charged battery can power up to 2,000 full-power flashes, also offering 30 minutes of continuous light for the C1 and 40 minutes of continuous light for the C1 Plus. Both models produce ‘close to daylight’ colors with a color rendering index >90.

The Profoto C1 model has a max 1600 lumens and 800 lux flash output, four warm and three cool LEDs for color temperatures ranging from 3000-6500K, and inner reflectors under the integrated dome diffuser for producing ‘natural shadows.’ When used as a modeling light, the model offers max 280 lumens / 140 lux and CRI 90-98.

The C1 Plus is more advanced, offering a max flash output of 4300 lumens and 1700 lux, a click-on magnetic mount for using light-shaping accessories, a 1/4″-20 thread for mounting the light, and compatibility with all of Profoto’s AirTTL remotes. When used as a modeling light, this model offers max 280 lumens / 140 lux and CRI 90-98. Both the C1 and C1 Plus feature manual capture buttons on the lights.

The Profoto C1 and C1 Plus lights are available to order from a number of retailers, including B&H Photo and Adorama, for $ 299 and $ 499, respectively.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The Profoto A1X is an upgraded A1 with improved battery life, recycling times and more

15 May

Profoto has announced the A1X, an updated version of its A1 speedlight that’s improved in nearly every way.

The A1X isn’t quite a successor to the A1. Instead, it sits alongside the A1 as a more powerful alternative in the event the A1 just isn’t enough for your needs. In the words of Profoto, it has ‘a little more of everything.’

Specifically, the A1X has a more powerful internal battery that gets 450 full power flashes per charge compared to the 350 of the A1. It also features a 1 second recycling time compared to the 1.2 second recycling time of the A1, 20 wireless channels instead of 8 and a new display interface, similar to the one found on Profoto’s B10 light. The A1X is also available for Sony, whereas the A1 was limited to Canon and Nikon camera systems.

Aside from the above differences, the A1X is effectively identical to the A1. It features the signature round head, AirTTL and HSS, a magnetic click-on mount for Profoto’s optional Light Shaping Tools, an LED modeling light, built-in Air Remote capabilities and firmware update functionality. The device can be used both off-camera and on-camera, features flash durations from 1/800th to 1/20,000th and can work at distances up to 300m (1,000ft).

Below is a hands-on video created and shared by Adorama:

The A1X measures in at 75mm x 108mm x 165mm (3.0in x 4.3in x 6.5in) and weighs 560g (1.23lbs) with the included battery. Included with the flash unit is a Li-Ion battery, a USB Type-A to Micro B, a power cable, a battery charger, a flash stand, a dome diffuser, a bounce card and a dedicated bag for protecting the A1X.

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The A1x is available for Canon (Adorama, B&H), Nikon (Adorama, B&H) and Sony (Adorama, B&H) camera systems for $ 1,095, a full $ 100 more than the A1.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The Profoto Connect is a button-free wireless trigger that connects to your iPhone

28 Mar

Meet the Profoto Connect, a minimal button-free remote trigger that packs an unusual amount of power into a uniquely compact package.

The Profoto Connect has just three onboard settings that are controlled with a twist of the puck-shaped device: auto, manual and off.

Auto is effectively a TTL flash photography mode that will automatically detect the correct flash exposure needed for the scene when the shutter is pressed. For times when you need a little more control over the scene, simply turn the dial to manual and pair the Profoto Connect to Profoto’s iOS app via Bluetooth. Once connected, all of the settings can be entirely changed directly from the screen of your smartphone or tablet.

The device works with any Profoto AirTTL flash over the 2.4GHz frequency. It has an operational range between 330ft to 1000ft, features eight channels, has a 30-hour battery life and can be recharged via the onboard microUSB port.

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Below is a short behind-the-scenes video of Chicago children’s photographer [Audrey Woulard](http://www.alwphotography.com), who normally works with natural light, taking the Profoto Connect and some Profoto lights for a spin.

The Profoto Connect is available for pre-order for Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus and Sony camera systems for $ 299.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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