p.4 #1 · Profoto A1x over my AD200.trying to figure out game plan
sungphoto wrote:
Agreed on the trekpak conundrum. I'm ok with paying extra for something that's going to be durable long term and protect my gear, but I know myself well enough that my gear mix changes pretty regularly - primarily in terms of lenses. If I don't know what exactly I'll need, I'll often bring everything and the kitchen sink. Other times I'll only need maybe a 24-70, 85 and 50 etc etc. That's partly why I haven't pulled the trigger on the trekpak system yet.
Just noticed B&H has a few Pelican cases on sale until midnight PST tonight, including the 1510 with TrekPak insert for $187. Some of the larger, 1600 series cases are close to half price...
p.4 #2 · Profoto A1x over my AD200.trying to figure out game plan
rscheffler wrote:
I think compared to what Guy used to shoot with ~15-20 years ago, in terms of cost, the gear he's using now is relatively inexpensive. The purchases are write-offs and he makes back some of the initial cost by reselling on the B&S. But yes, it's potentially time consuming. In any case, his feedback about the gear he's bought and tested recently has been a benefit to us all.
TrekPak: I got it for the Pelican Elite carry-on (their 'luggage' version of the 1510). Once you get over the price for it being simply corrugated plastic board with foam glued on each side, the biggest complaint I have about it is it pretty much locks you into a single configuration while on the road. I.e. if for some reason you need to re-jig what you're transporting, it's not a simple matter to reconfigure like velcro dividers since the TrekPak was likely custom cut by you for specific gear requirements. ...Show more →
Thanks and yes these are big write offs for sure and I do get most of my money back on resale. Plus it’s fun but in this case these lights are just flat out lovely and extremely bullet proof. So I took the 2 B10 and the one A1x with three shooters and 3 bodies shootings Red Carpet event, the intent of it is more for splash than for commercial value although it does make money in sales of prints but each shooter shot about 1500 to 3000 frames each . Three transmitter three channels and these lights killed it. They where shooting fast as hell and even the A1x did not miss a beat. Now I did have there cameras at ISO 1250 so they used very little power but had there model lights on theB10 and they performed perfectly and the scene was a real paparazzi look which that was the intent. Everyone gets to walk the Red carpet. So big success and about 2500 people.
I did buy the Profoto core S backpack and hold both B10 and the A1x and accessories.
Really as much as these are there not going anywhere. All together it’s about 5300 . Not cheap but I really like them. Thanks for all the help as I bought correctly without making any errors , so no wasted purchases
p.4 #3 · Profoto A1x over my AD200.trying to figure out game plan
GMPhotography wrote:
...these are big write offs for sure and I do get most of my money back on resale. Plus it’s fun but in this case these lights are just flat out lovely and extremely bullet proof. >
...Three transmitter three channels and these lights killed it. They where shooting fast as hell and even the A1x did not miss a beat. Now I did have there cameras at ISO 1250 so they used very little power but had there model lights on theB10 and they performed perfectly and the scene was a real paparazzi look which that was the intent.
GMPhotography wrote:
...I know makes zero financial sense so it’s NOT about saving money.
As I posted a couple pages back:
To the contrary, it makes complete financial sense. You get what you pay for and the A1 / A1X and B10 /B10 plus are absolutely worth the money.
Like you I've been shooting for 40+ years professionally and I still enjoy it every day. Why would I want to buy anything less than the lights that make my job easy, my images look good and I know I can depend on ?
They are awesome, a good investment and fun to use !
p.4 #4 · Profoto A1x over my AD200.trying to figure out game plan
jmmaher wrote:
Guy and sunghoto,
I am trying to figure out why the change to Profoto over Godox. I certainly like the look and size of the Profoto but things like the statement "I typically change out the AAAs ...on the Air-TTL trigger a couple times for a 8-10 hour day" when the Godox trigger last for months (or at least a long time . I just can't see having to change out trigger batteries multiple times per day. The connect trigger seems to have little in the way of features, etc.
Honestly I am not trolling. I like the Godox lights and have used them for a number of years. They trigger consistently, have adequate light output for their size, etc. I think the Sony ETTL may be a little iffy but then again I have heard the same thing about Profoto's Sony ETTL implementation as well.
I am trying to figure out the justification for the Profoto lights for me. Or at least why both of you switched.
The Profoto B10s are just better. Yes they cost (a lot!) more, but they are easier to use, fire consistently, and reek elegance. The light-shaper and rental ecosystem is also very well developed in the Profoto world.
I was a long-time Profoto user (since 2002!) who was recently seduced by the AD200 - I bought a few, liked them a lot, and up until about a year ago was asking the very same question you are now. Why spend all the extra money on Profoto anymore? Profoto was a cut above everyone else (except maybe Broncolor) the early 2000s through 2012, but what are they offering now that's so great? Godox should be eating their lunch! (And before Godox, of course, everyone was patiently explaining to Profoto users why AlienBees were the best lights and how Profoto users were silly elitists with more money than brains to choose the far more expensive Profoto option over the magic-lunchbox Vagabond solution!)
Then I rented some B10s, and fell instantly in love. They trigger more reliably, and never misfire. Adjusting power from the back panel or camera controller is super easy, and when you want to use TTL for events, it works perfectly every time. That was not my experience with Godox triggers. They were not unreliable per se, but the interface was finicky, and would often not fire, I'd say between 2-5% of the time. Not a deal breaker by any means but not exactly confidence inspiring. Also, the Profoto ecosystem has some terrific light shapers that are easy to deploy, use and stow. This is especially true of their lighter weight OCF system.
In the end, I think Guy is right that for most people, transitioning from Godox to Profoto doesn't make much sense. But what I am loving about the B10 is how inviting and simple it is to use, either in manual mode or TTL. It's super light, more powerful than it should be, very reliable, and enjoys very long battery life. I love the bright LED modeling light on the B10 that is color-adjustable - a really nice feature for shooting continuous lit subjects in a pinch. I do wish the B10 had a sync cord attachment, but nothing's perfect.
I am currently in the process of transitioning exclusively to B10s and selling off my Godox equipment.
Aug 20, 2019 at 10:16 PM
Bigtrouble Offline • [X]
p.4 #5 · Profoto A1x over my AD200.trying to figure out game plan
The A1X is I'd say 20% too expensive for what it is. I don't consider godox an appropriate reference point in price because they are simply copying designs with a nonexistent warranty - they are not truly innovators. I would rather pay the "tax" and guarantee my kit will continue to be serviced, than see profoto go the way of Bowens.. :/
I've gone through various iterations of my lighting kit, from elinchrom, with occasional dips into godox, on the way to profoto, and I am happy to consolidate all of my lighting into profoto now. For those that shoot a lot of fast action and need to freeze motion, the elinchrom hi-sync simply can't be reproduced by high speed sync (though shutter effects will differ between the two).
I think anyone starting out should absolutely get something like godox, and I think professional photographers that make less than say $5k per job would be better off with godox. But if you're doing a lot of commercial work, with big sets, and lots of lights, it starts to make sense to go with profoto.
p.4 #6 · Profoto A1x over my AD200.trying to figure out game plan
Bigtrouble wrote:
The A1X is I'd say 20% too expensive for what it is.
You dropped a zero
Bigtrouble wrote:
I don't consider godox an appropriate reference point in price because they are simply copying designs with a nonexistent warranty - they are not truly innovators...
I think anyone starting out should absolutely get something like godox, and I think professional photographers that make less than say $5k per job would be better off with godox.
Aw c'mon now, I think the only reason the A1x and B10 exist are because of the pressure Profoto has felt from the success of Godox. Yes, Godox has a few copycat designs, but they introduced li-ion to speedlights, they made the first truly compact studio strobe, they're the only company that brings a bi-tube and remote head option to the market for their battery monolights. Ahead of this, they assisted Bron in making triggers, and for a time they made a portable power pack licensed by Elinchrom.
Not only do they innovate with their own products, they forced Profoto out of their comfort zone and - by the looks of it - to change their business trajectory in the process. That's impressive - forcing another company to innovate
You might be among the privileged few to pull down $5k/day, but outside of weddings and corporate headshots, that represents maybe 3% of the photo market. It's a bit of red herring condescension to throw the day rate thing in there anyway... can you make a better photo with Profoto than I can with Godox? Hmmm.
p.4 #7 · Profoto A1x over my AD200.trying to figure out game plan
Of course if you want better service, and a reliable warranty you can buy the Godox line re-branded as Flashpoint by Adorama and get a 24 Month Warranty.
p.4 #9 · Profoto A1x over my AD200.trying to figure out game plan
Have not kept up with this thread but Im loving this decision. Now I have 2 B10 and 2 A1x units for my Sony gear and I'm totally thrilled. Yea expensive as hell but really glad i sold off all the Godox. My feeling is if your doing Pro work and your neck is on the line its totally worth the costs, It hurts though. But if your occasionally using lights or a hobbyists and neck not on the line than Godox is a nice option. We shot a Red Carpet event and we do this twice a year . We've done it with Godox and Profoto. Godox overheated every time the Profotos where rock solid and 2 units 2 shooters each with there own light about 1500 images ( maybe more) each in about a hour of shooting. Not one blink
p.4 #10 · Profoto A1x over my AD200.trying to figure out game plan
Bigtrouble wrote:
The A1X is I'd say 20% too expensive for what it is. I don't consider godox an appropriate reference point in price because they are simply copying designs with a nonexistent warranty - they are not truly innovators. I would rather pay the "tax" and guarantee my kit will continue to be serviced, than see profoto go the way of Bowens.. :/
I've gone through various iterations of my lighting kit, from elinchrom, with occasional dips into godox, on the way to profoto, and I am happy to consolidate all of my lighting into profoto now. For those that shoot a lot of fast action and need to freeze motion, the elinchrom hi-sync simply can't be reproduced by high speed sync (though shutter effects will differ between the two).
I think anyone starting out should absolutely get something like godox, and I think professional photographers that make less than say $5k per job would be better off with godox. But if you're doing a lot of commercial work, with big sets, and lots of lights, it starts to make sense to go with profoto....Show more →
Yea the A1x is a little pricey I agree but I love it
p.4 #11 · Profoto A1x over my AD200.trying to figure out game plan
GMPhotography wrote:
Yea the A1x is a little pricey I agree but I love it
I have seriously thought about banning this thread from my view. I love my Godox lights, particularly the 400 but all this I love this and I love that makes me want to try Profoto. Luckily there are no nearby rental places
p.4 #12 · Profoto A1x over my AD200.trying to figure out game plan
jmmaher wrote:
I have seriously thought about banning this thread from my view. I love my Godox lights, particularly the 400 but all this I love this and I love that makes me want to try Profoto. Luckily there are no nearby rental places
. This is one of those trouble products. You just want to buy all of it
. I just can't see having to change out trigger batteries multiple times per day. The connect trigger seems to have little in the way of features, etc.
. This is one of those trouble products. You just want to buy all of it