Folks who upgraded to the Profoto B1..

What did you upgrade from? How do you like them compare to your old setup?


I swear the more Profoto I watch on YouTube the more I'm convince I need them. LOL

I have the Einstein at the moment and they are great but lacks HSS and TTL. Not to mention they aren't consistent with colors. I know these can be adjusted in post but I preferred less post processing as possible.

FYI, I shoot on location more with my clients.

(Sorry to sidetrack so early in the thread)

I'm surprised that the Einsteins don't have consistent color temperature. Does it improve if you use constant color mode vs. action mode?

I recently bought 2 B1's by selling my 3 Einstein's and some Canon 600 speedlites.

First let me say that the Einsteins should be very accurate with consistent color, not sure why yours are not. As for why I upgraded- I owned the combination of other lights because I wanted the power of studios with the features of speedlites. With the B1 you get both. I honestly wanted them for the battery feature more than any other. If you shoot on location, I don't know why anyone making a living in photography (which I am not yet), would not invest in them. Yes they are expensive (and so are all the accessories), but I was happy to sell anything I could to start out with the minimum I needed. I'll add another when I can. I took them outside for the first time last week (been raining in SF for 4 weekends in a row), and had just 20min before the sun went down. It took me 1 minute to open up my bag, throw batteries and magnum reflectors on both, put one on a tripod and the other on the ground. Amazing! I didn't have much time, so I thought it was a great test of the ttl feature (see soccer photo for results). I also included a pic of my think tank bag. It's the short bag that fits 2 lights, extra batteries for both, trigger, charger, filter kit, and padded case for laptop. I put my camera bag on top of it and I'm off and running. My old bag to carry Einsteins with cords, battery pack etc. was twice the size.

Hi KOUASUPRA,
Like any product, look obviously & carefully at your present & potential future true photographic needs; rather than be influenced by allure of marketing.

I purchased the Profoto B1's for outside & on-location applications. I augmented (rather than switched), from 580EX-> 600EX-RT's on tri-brackets to the Profoto B1 Location Kit.
Reason: For the power, wireless/battery convenience, compactness, amazing refresh rates, quality & color temperature consistency.
(I too find myself doing more client outside on-location applications).

The Profoto B1's are indeed a productive pleasure to use, particularly in dynamic or compromising settings!
Capably enables one to get in & out (set-up & tear-down) with refreshing quickness & efficiency.
[For studio - use 4 Profoto D1's].

Good luck with your review/analysis.


Hi BHIP71,
Pardon me for asking in this thread, but just curious how do you carry your Magnum reflectors?
[I have yet to find a convenient solution, or bag, (for Zoom or Magnum reflector) other than a motorcycle helmet bag; when not carrying everything in a Profoto TROLLY L roller bag].
Thank you for any insight, or experience you have found.


Mary

BHIP71 wrote in post #17967101
...I also included a pic of my think tank bag. It's the short bag that fits 2 lights, extra batteries for both, trigger, charger, filter kit, and padded case for laptop...

Hosted photo: posted by BHIP71 in
./showthread.php?p=179​67101&i=i131136523
forum: Flash and Studio Lighting

Very nice setup! I've been scanning the Think Tank section of B&H, and I can not seem to find that model. Do you have a model number? Thanks!

Seres: it's the Think Tank Airport Navigator. I've tested it, and it will hold a third light, but not with all of the additional batteries etc., so they would then have to go in my camera bag.

Happy2010: I've been searching myself for the best option. I saw people using drum cases which can be bought very cheap and are padded. I think I may just go with the Tenba car case that is sold as saying it will hold 3 magnum reflectors. My next purchase is going to be the the new WideZoom Reflector, so I'm trying to see if that case will hold my 2 magnums & the wide zoom. It's not cheap at $260, but what profoto related stuff is. Good thing about the reflectors is how light they are, so throwing a bag like this on my back or attached to the side of a rolling bag seems easy.

What stands do you guys use for portable location work? I actually bought a big, but cheaper brand carbon tripod just so it would collapse small enough to carry. My goal is to never have to carry more than a backpack while pulling a rolling case, so all my purchases must meet that requirement.

your scenario(soccer image) is exactly what I run into during weddings; 20 min for sunset shots. I like to light my formals during the day too(full sun) and the sheer fact that you can throw them on a light stand and go is just so awesome. Currently I use the streaklight/godox 180 and/or 360 non ttl and if I try to be too quick with setup, I seem to fumble with it. I do like how I can set them up in the reception and just forget about them. I have never come close running the batteries down. I've been going back and forth with ditching this system or adding the ttl models to it and/or the new ad600. That way I have one system. ugh. So many directions!

Any chance you have more sample shots taken with the B1s?

BHIP71 -
Thank you for the drum bag suggestion - I hadn't thought of that.
(I'm hoping ideally for a flexible, rather than a rigid bag to hold the Profoto reflectors, for run-n-gun applications)

I currently sometimes, instead of a motorcycle-helmet soft bag, just have a thin but strong black nylon line with quick-release 2"clip:
https://www.homedepot.​ca …rity-snap.1000401131.html
attached to the Profoto Zoom or Magnum Reflector's locking hinge).

I'm a petite 5ft 2.5inch female and my photography purchase/selection criteria is the same as yours: light-weight, compact & convenient!!!

As for STROBE LIGHT STANDS, I have had good results over many years, with the following (but always open to new ideas)...

Mathews 7ft Reverse Light Stand [Mfr# B387486]:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …7486_Reverse_St​and_7.html
- perfect for holding the Profoto B1's!! (& for say 1-3 persons portraits, when don't need more than 7ft height).
- sturdy & durable, great load capacity: 11lbs, light-weight, compact convenient folded length: 22.75".
- (they are a significantly beefed up version of the similar-looking popular Manfrotto Nano [Mfr #5001B] light stands often used for speedlights)
- fit nicely along each side of the Profoto B1 Location Kit Backpack.

or

Manfrotto 12 ft Air-Cushioned Light Stand [Mfr# 1004BAC]:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …C_Alu_Master_3_​Riser.html
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_3_QSS_Air_Cush​ioned.html
- sturdy & durable.
- as you know, for group portraits of say 4+ persons (such as: wedding family group formals), often need light stand heights of say 8ft-10.5ft to avoid casting shadows from one subject/person onto another subject/person, or for cross-lighting a reception dance floor.

Caveat: as with any light stands, advisable to add counter-weights particularly when adding any modifiers.
- (such as 3ft Octa's, or deep umbrellas to the B1's. I find the Profoto Deep Silver-M adds about one f-stop of light, sometimes useful for May-Sept outside on-location applications).
- (I use my light stand bag or lighting case; rather than the inconvenience of sand bags. even though I had lots of the compact Matthews BOA's and acceptable Impact's Saddle bags)

For cities, municipalities or areas which prohibit light stands (which seems like an increasingly number of anti-photography environments, or areas with significant photography usage-fees), or for very dynamic applications: I have my assistant not unfold the legs, instead resting the unfolded legs/small footprint on-top of his shoe.
or,
I have him utilize this nifty SIRUI P-326 carbon fibre monopod [Mfr# SUP326]:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Section_Carbon_​Fiber.html
(with this Manfrotto Adapter Spigot [Mfr# 119] on the top:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …9_Short_16mm_Ad​apter.html ), which nicely holds the Profoto B1.
- this monopod is very quick, compact (folded length 15"), light-weight yet very strong & durable.
- it is just like any convenient photography item (including the Profoto B1's) - it just gets utilized a lot.


For transporting the light stands, I utilize these LIGHT STAND BAGS depending on the application & location (in order: from smallest to largest)...

Smith Victor 23" [Mfr# TB330]:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …18_TB_330_Tripo​d_Bag.html
- holds up to two 7ft Mathews Reverse light stands, & some grip stuff.

Manfrotto 25" [Mfr# AW 3279BLK]:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …K_AW_3279B_25_T​ripod.html
- holds up to three 7ft Mathews Reverse light stands, Westcott 43" collapsible umbrella & grip stuff, etc.

Manfrotto 43" [Mfr# LBAG110]:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …BAG110_4_Quick_​Stack.html
with ideally DIY two-braced rubber casters on bottom:
http://www.homedepot.c​om …aster-4037345EB/203672418 if a lot of walking involved.
or,
Profoto TROLLY L BAG:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …330220_trolley_​bag_l.html
[with DIY light-weight reinforced sides
https://www.homedepot.​ca …x-48-inch.1000171721.html (I think Tenba utilizes similar materials for its & some Profoto cases)
& TSA locks (no zippers/pulls exposed for ball-point pen type theft-entry) for air-travel]
- relatively compact.

Just an FYI - a Think Tank Cable Management pouch [Mfr# TT241]:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …e_Management_10​_V2_0.html
- works great & neatly for holding a spare set of B1 batteries, or your B1 charger.
- (for occasional air-travel: I just further put each individual B1 battery in a zip-lock sandwich bag first, for added due diligence, before putting them in the TT Cable 10 pouch, which then is in a Profoto Double Case: with my two B1's as my "personal item". Never had any difficulties, even after careful airport screenings. My TT Airport-International or Airport-Security Roller case: with cameras, lenses & 600EX-RT's, ND filters, etc. is my "carry-on").


MA11RATS-
The freedom from power cables or battery cables, with strobe power is... so liberating!
These Jason Lanier videos illustrate the point (if you haven't already viewed these):
https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=4zf_XPZnvXk (29:49 minute video)
https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=L86jqG4Riqc (12:49 minute video)

I hear you (often never enough time or change of plans at weddings/events, etc); but if you miss sunset perhaps create your own with these:
Profoto OCF GELS:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …sort&Ntt=Profot​o+OCF+Gels
SLR Lounge/Lin & Jirsa video: https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=VC9QAcahlxg (4:29 minute video)

One doesn't have to utilize Profoto B1's, even though I can highly recommend them.


Happy shooting everyone.

Mary

thanks for the links. I've seen the Lanier videos before. The slr lounge one is new, though I've seen a bunch of his other stuff. I'm less worried about 'golden hour' as I am catching the amazing color in the clouds that we get here in Phoenix. It's about 6-9 minutes where we get the best color. Sometimes everything has a beautiful peach-like glow.

I'm aware of gelling flashes, in fact I usually cover my lights with them to match the setting sun. I'm not a fan of blue light hitting the subjects face but golden light hitting their backs. I try my best to even it out.

I actually just got married in October and had Lin & Jirsa shoot our wedding.
Lanier is kind of annoying, but he does a pretty good job, and I like that he always finds ways to use his lights.

I'll check out some of those links, thanks!

Sorry, just now seeing your message. Been busy with the day job. I'll try to add a few more pics here, but you can go to my instagram page and see some recent portraits I've done with the B1's. Music, Fitness and prom pics were all shot using the B1's. Instagram name: shootingsf

Here is another shot I took in the Southern California hills just before sunset. Used a 1/2 CTO gel on one B1 light from the left side, as the sun was coming in directly from the right of my subject.

kouasupra wrote in post #17915918
What did you upgrade from? How do you like them compare to your old setup? I swear the more Profoto I watch on YouTube the more I'm convince I need them. LOL ... I have the Einstein at the moment and they are great but lacks HSS and TTL. Not to mention they aren't consistent with colors. I know these can be adjusted in post but I preferred less post processing as possible. FYI, I shoot on location more with my clients.

Aren't you using Profoto B1's now, Koua? Hehehehe... On that note... I upgraded (although I still have my two AB1600's) in three folds; convenience, ease of use, and a great deal (price wise)...

Convenience - Quick setup, easily portable, and high capacity battery pack (about 200-250 full power flashes before 1 bar left)
Ease of Use - Adjustments on the fly (via remote), HSS/TTL capabilities, and easy understood LCD panels (on remote and strobe)
Great Deal - I was able to acquire two B1's and the Profoto Air Remote TTL for under $2,800 (used, of course, but in great condition)

Add the Profoto's legendary standards/reputation to the mix and I was sold... Now I use the B1's on all my high fashion and/or portraiture work, if a strobe is needed... Can't be more happy with the investment and what lies ahead with what I'll be able to shoot with them!!! With that said, a few samples with the Profoto B1's below...

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/EzSQ​k7

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Dk1E​VB

BHIP71 wrote in post #18090916
Here is another shot I took in the Southern California hills just before sunset. Used a 1/2 CTO gel on one B1 light from the left side, as the sun was coming in directly from the right of my subject.

Hosted photo: posted by BHIP71 in
./showthread.php?p=180​90916&i=i122542284
forum: Flash and Studio Lighting

Hi BHIP71,

Nice capture, thank you for posting.

In the spirit of POTN sharing….
everyone has to find their own equipment, technique & style, but just an FYI of further info sharing/comparing of techniques, etc. (so this is not a criticism)…

One other approach/technique, which I often use is…
depending on the ambient light, to ensure a natural look (to avoid it looking like any artificial strobe light was utilized & to avoid a sometimes appearance like subject was shot with a green screen or /photoshop’d in):
- sometimes find it useful to rather than placing a strobe (in this case a B1) on camera left-side, with natural light/sun on camera right-side
- instead place B1 from somewhat the same direction as the natural light source/sun yet judiciously place & feather the B1 so the B1 lighting will wrap around to the camera left-side of the face*. With care, it can be done without overexposing the camera right-side of subject.

*(& if necessary use a kiss of a soft reflector for added fill camera left-side such as a Lastolite compact Tri-Flip with its soft-sun or soft-silver sleeves) with a very compact & convenient reflector kit
(such as the following which I use particularly if solo & I don’t have my assistant):
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …R3696_TriFlip_8​_in_1.html
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ash.html/pageID​/accessory
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …7486_Reverse_St​and_7.html (7ft; 11lb load capacity, folds to 23”)

For an example of this subtle lighting technique (regardless of equipment), see the 22:37 – 27:05 minute period of this 59:21 minute video:
https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=XYTIWgKGb2I (59:21 minute Profoto B1/Jared Platt video)
(even though in this video, with all due respect to nice experienced Jared Platt, the subject camera right-side looks a bit too cooked/overexposed to me)

Just one view…
Hope this might be interesting or helpful, to you or others. Continue enjoying your nifty Profoto B1’s!


Mary

P.S. I too use the Think Tank Airport Navigator Rolling Bag:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …avigator_Rollin​g_Bag.html
to transport my two Profoto B1’s (& 3 sets of 2 B1 batteries) for simple/quick on-location applications (when not using the B1’s with a Profoto Double Bag for occasional air-travelling, or a Profoto Trolley L Bag for large events, etc. by vehicle/land-travel).

I also switched to Profoto B1's and B2's from Einsteins. The convenience factor of the B1's, HSS and color consistency were my reasons. I know everyone says the Einsteins are consistent with color but even in the model where they are supposed to be great at color consistency I found that not to be very true. I had some seriously bad color temp issues with them in fact.

The Einsteins are also abit on the cheap build side for travel and I have had more than one break during travel even when put in a pelican case. The screen on the back went bad once and something inside went bad another time. THey just were not doing what I needed them to do as a full time professional so I switched. I have been very happy with the Profotos. They are Very costly to switch over to and the modifiers are expensive as well but I have really been impressed with what I get out of them.

I'd recommend the switch to anyone who needs what they offer.