Profoto A2 vs A1

johnld
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Profoto A2 vs A1

I have the original A1 and have had great success using it for all kinds of wedding work, but mostly for receptions and the occasional backlit portrait. Batteries are excellent and having TTL on camera is great for receptions. However, I'm curious about the A2 for the same kind of set ups, albeit, no on camera flash use. They're about the same power at 100 watts and take all the same modifiers. Has anyone used both and could share their experiences? Thanks for any info.

Mar 03, 2024 at 07:49 AM

LeeSimms
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Profoto A2 vs A1

Sorry — A10 (x3) and B10+ (x2) here

Mar 03, 2024 at 09:58 AM

johnld
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Profoto A2 vs A1

Thanks for the reply. Yes, we have two B10's and love them. Never needed the 500 w/s of the plus and like the the set up a lot. The A1 is close to the same power as the A2, takes all the same modifiers, but the A2 does not mount on camera and for me when I shoot solo, I need that for receptions, so probably just realized the usefulness of the A1 over the A2. Profoto has a bundle deal right now that includes approximately $300 dollars in modifiers if you purchase an A2 or A10x. My guess is that the A2 is not selling as anticipated.

Mar 03, 2024 at 02:06 PM

LeeSimms
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Profoto A2 vs A1

I use the B10+ 500w way more than I thought I would. HSS seems to suck up the power, plus I shot in a couple venues were the ceremony in in full shade surrounded by bright mountain scenery. I try to deliver one or two big ceremony shots that balance the difference and I could use 1,000w if I had it.

ProFoto may be ambitious on what modifiers can be held with mini-magnets. One good Western wind would send an expensive Clic Octa Box along like a tumbleweed. Those magnets are fine for a little grid or diffusion bulb, but even their A1 bounce panel falls off if you look at it wrong.

Mar 03, 2024 at 09:11 PM

johnld
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Profoto A2 vs A1

Agree on the magnets. That's precisely why I would never invest in the Octa/OCF adapter. Plus, the fabric and metal frames of Profoto's OCF soft boxes are cheap when compared to the Elinchrom Deep Octa. We've used our Elinchrom for several seasons always deployed. It's seen it's share of abuse, but always comes through with it's original shape intact. We also use the Profoto 1.3 x 1.3 soft box. After one or two shoots, the symmetry of the box is distorted and bent and have never been able to remove the baffle quickly...or at all. With the A2, Profoto might have filled a niche with a 150 watt A2 with the ability to connect to 120v for studio work. I get frustrated with Profoto as they roll out a product, then not long after tell us we need more duration with "X" model or version II of the modifiers, when in fact it's cheaper to just buy an extra battery. They seem to be adopting the planned obsolescence model of cameras.

Mar 04, 2024 at 09:20 AM

LeeSimms
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Profoto A2 vs A1

On the B10's I use ...

ALWAYS — Magnum reflectors with an inexpensive diffusion sock. Worked for Hollywood glamor in the 1930's and 40's and I think it's a great wedding look.

SOMETIMES — Two grid holders with a 30, 20 & 10 set and a colored filter holder.

SELDOM — for nighttime photo booths (with city lights in the background) I love the Westcott Rapid Box Octa-Small. Sets up quickly and the light makes me happy. I'd use it more often but my world is very windy.

I used to have a giant D-series ProFoto beauty dish I coverted to OCF mount but it's not practical to take to weddings.

Mar 04, 2024 at 10:01 AM

John Straus
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Profoto A2 vs A1

Just going to add this for extra info...

The A2 is different than the A1/A10 units. It has a warmer color temp @ 5800 vs 6200

The A2 even though rated at 100w is about 1 stop less powerful than the A1.

The A1/A10 has a fresnel type "lens", the A2 has something simlar to the B10 series...

I was going to get A2's as off camera lights but the color temp difference and less power made me think twice...

Jun 30, 2024 at 09:45 AM


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