Profoto B1X: Is this the Ultimate Battery Powered Monolight?
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- We discuss my current favorite Profoto Light the 500ws B1X
Amazon:
Two Light Kit: amzn.to/2oeCyS9
One Light: amzn.to/2PMllMC
Adorama:
One Light Kit:bit.ly/ProB1X
Two Light Kit: bit.ly/ProB1X2
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If you just need the specs: profoto.com/us...
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Daniel
I’m coming from the video world using continuous lighting like Kino Flo, Arri, etc... I rented a B1 a few months ago and loved it so much bought one a week later.
I was waiting for Seth's light to topple forward with that Lefty Loosey on the grip head! I'm totally sold on my 3 B1's. Wish I had 3 more! The hard modifiers and mounting ring are what hooked me with Profoto. My first experience with Profoto was back in the 80s assisting Bo Hylén in Los Angeles on a studio shoot for Apple. TONS of power with a pack on each head. f/32-f/45 wasn't uncommon for 4x5. Ah, the good old days!
You mention the difficulty in reading the power output when a head is on a high stand etc.
You can see it on the air transmitter on your camera....and adjust the power from there.
No, you can’t.
I use D1's and B1's and they are brilliant, I love them.... Good video - Thanks.
I would like to see and know more about the xplore 600 lighting.
Speedoton is my system...It would be nice to have the B1's, but for now, the speedos work for now.
Speedo are great!
Btw, nice show yesterday at adorama, I’m the shadow guy. Lol
OCF vs. RFI? Have you done that? Thanks for everything, you guys are great.
OCF is lighter weight
you are great guys!!!
Hi Daniel! You were so helpful with the B10, and were able to answer all of my questions, I was wondering if you could share your thoughts on something I am seeing with my B1X. So you prob. remember I just got the new B1X location kit (2 lights) and am in love. Truly, this is it for me! :-) However, I noticed something strange.. I was processing the images from my wedding this past weekend, and I noticed that during the formal shots I was having to correct EV in post anywhere from 0.2 stops.. to in some cases 1/3 stop! The light was in manual, and everything on the camera side was also the same. Having never seen this in the 7 years with other strobes.. I got to thinking, and did a quick test in my living room. I notices that I do indeed see a flash to flash difference ranging from about 0.2 stops.. all the way to 0.3 (1/3) of a stop! I get this at pretty much all power levels except full.. I have tested everything from using my 1DX, vs 80D. Different L glass, different Av's etc.. I cant seem to make any difference. I also for the hell of it tried "freeze" mode, and HSS with the same results. I made a super quick (unlisted) video of this here: ua-cam.com/video/po91K8Na8N8/v-deo.html This shows the images on the computer as I flip through them. Notice the crazy EV change! This is the worst at lowest power 2.0. So, I wanted to reach out to you, and see what your thoughts and experience has been with this. The strange thing is that it does this with BOTH heads! So, I find that strange.. (if it were only one, I would think defect). But.. they both do this. I have also updated to the latest frimware on the heads and remote. I also, lol.. tried firing the heads with the Pocket Wizard II's and Air remote.. no difference (ruling out the remote). Thanks Daniel!!
This is very strange. Being that it is both heads, I’m a bit baffled. That being said, if I’m getting weird exposures (because the b1x should be dead on every time) I typically will check to be sure the flash tube is seated properly. Sometimes they wiggle loose. If that does not work, I’d say calling profoto would be your best bet. What’s strange to me is that it is consistently inconsistent if that makes sense. It seems to drop then go up then drop again frame by frame, not just the weird odd frame.
@@DanielNortonPhotographer thanks Daniel! It's good to hear that this is weird, and not normal! I was freaking out that this was just the way it is lol. I'm going to call Profoto and see what they say. I decided to make the b1x my main light kit. I really love it. Okay, I'll report back when its taken care of and let you know what it was!
@@DanielNortonPhotographer just got to a local profoto dealer in Miami. We tested I store and they confirmed that both heads are defective. The ones we tried in store from another kit were perfect side by side on my camera. Soooooooo weird! Maybe the last frimware did something? Don't know, but it was crazy! So now I just need to exchange and I should be good.
Travis Harris Photography That is weird, but at least you caught it! Could be the firmware etc. I knew something was up, because I just tested my B1X when I did the power comparison with the B10 and metered about 20 shots in a row without even a 1/10 of a stop change.
@@DanielNortonPhotographer oh Thank goodness. I'm glad to here that. Once I get it replaced I'll be so happy! I really love the b1x, and can't wait to dive into it more! Your such a great help! Thanks Daniel!
Other than the example you gave in the video of shooting in studio for a catalogue, and therefore having to shoot a massive number of flash exposures in a day, are there any other circumstances where you think the D2 would be a better choice than the B1X? When the D2s came out, you did a video on your balcony with a model breaking water balloons. Could you freeze the water drops with the B1X as well as you did with the D2s?
Daniel, Seth,
I've really appreciate these reviews of Profoto gear! I have a few related questions that I would love hearing your opinion on. I want to (and eventually will) buy a Profoto system, but at what point does it make sense to step up--especially for those of us who are serious amateurs, but not making a living from photography and already have functional if not stellar gear? In a similar vein, how do you feel about older Profoto gear? I've seen some used Acute setups going for quite reasonable prices. Anything you would suggest, or suggest avoiding?
Older stuff is a good way into the system.. I still have an acute 2400 pack that I keep around for when I need more power. No TTL and slower flash duration, but still good gear.
Thanks!
Daniel, how does the Flashpoint XPLOR Pro 600 compare with the B1X? We had three B1s and an A1. We sold them, then tried the Flashpoint. Unfortunately, all our light shaping accessories are Profoto. Now, we either have to buy Bowen’s adapters to fit our accessories on the Flashpoint strobe or purchase Profoto moonlights.
I don’t compare brands, I can only say Profoto has been reliable through my career
Daniel Norton Photographer - thank you! We appreciate your feedback.
I use Paul C. Buff lights.
Doug Howell good for you?
I know this is older but I'm working my way through all your videos. :-) I just bought the Flashpoint 600 and I love it. I'm BRAND new to OCF so I have a lot to learn but I'm completely jazzed to figure it out.
My question is about wireless triggers. Do they play well together? Could I use my Flashpoint to trigger the Profoto stuff? Is it a fairly open standard? Or are the triggers proprietary?
Most wireless triggers systems are not compatible.
@@DanielNortonPhotographer Well, that's a great way for a brand to lock customers into them. But it sure makes it tough for a brand who may not have as many offerings. Why would I want to buy a light that didn't play with anyone else.. at least thru wireless? In 10 or 15 years, we'll all look back on that and laugh. "Hey.. remember back when wireless was like the wild west?"
At least, I hope so. Thanks for your response.
Love these series brotha
Looks like I'm back. This time I have a serious question.
I just invested in my first parabolic reflector. Something that I've wanted for many years.
As it is I have never been worried about the flat glass front on my B1 and B1X heads before but would it be wise to invest in the Glass Dome for use with a parabolic? 183 bucks is a bit of change for a chunk of glass but I figure if it helps get full use out of the way more expensive parabolic it's a drop in the bucket.
I've heard some people say, yes, it matters and others say that it doesn't. Either way, I'm sure I'll buy the damn thing but, in your opinion, will it make a difference?
I depends on the reflector, but the flat front is 120 degree spread, the dome will give you almost 180 so it will make some difference but maybe not enough to justify it for you. I’d use the reflector without first and see how it feels
Thanks, Daniel:
I've been using the flat face with the Parabolix 35D for about two weeks now. Basically, it's the closest thing I could find to the Para 88 this side of 3 grand. Though it only has 16 sides as opposed to 24 that the Para's have It may sound silly I guess it's one of those things that I need discover. The dome is one item that I haven't been able to find that can be rented. I guess it's a case of buying the thing or never find out.
Though it's different than any modifier I've ever used, so far, it seems to be a good investment and may spring for the Parobolix 45 as well and certainly want to take full advantage of what they are capable of.
You had mentioned using the dome with a beauty dish etc in the clip. For my part I don't know anyone personally to go to that has the dome or has used it to find out first hand.
Thank you once again and have a Happy day.
maybe rent a light and request they put the dome on?
Yo Daniel, do you still dig the B1X more than the B10+, for what you do? If you had to pick, which one would you roll with?
Yes
Thoughts on D2 vs B1X for in studio work
If you don’t need battery power I’d go D2 for the shorter flash duration etc.
Marco Polio
It’s a no brainier. The D2 is twice the power and three times as fast in freeze mode. The weakness of the B1X is that for some bizarre reason Profoto don’t provide a power point for mains supply for their B1X for studio work when battery power isn’t required.
for the occasional outdoor shoot do you think the B1X is worth the premium (extra batteries etc), or I can just plug the D2 into something like a Vagabond Mini
I would be careful plugging the light into anything not fully vetted and tested. Better I think would be to get mostly D2s and maybe a single B1X for outdoor fill.
do you have any suggestions for powering the d2?
@@DanielNortonPhotographer
I like Profoto but I use the Flashpoint Xplor600 which I have one unit. I’ve been using it for about two years with no problem. Should I invest in the profoto monolight or stick with the Xplor600. My question is, is the profoto significantly better.?
Profoto has quite a few perks:
The majority of Profoto light modifiers work on all of their lights.
The major lighting manufacturers (Elinchrom, Hensel, Broncolor, etc.) make Profoto speedrings so that Profoto lights can be used with their modifiers.
Profoto can be found at nearly every photography rental house in the world.
The easiest modifier mounting system out there.
Extremely consistent in temperature and speed.
My question to you though: If the Flashpoint is doing the job you need it to do, and it isn't restricting your vision, why even consider switching?
Yes.
Who makes the stand you have your B1x on in the video Dan?
Matthews or avenger C stands
Looks like they made something else. Just saying. (B10)
ha ha I know! LOL