I’m looking at getting a profoto 7b pack and head and would love to hear from other users about whether they think the cost is justified, what they use it for and any tips about accessories needed etc. is a pack/head easier on location than monolights?
Also does anyone know if the flash duration (1/1400) is for t=0.1 or t=0.5? can’t seem to find that anywhere.
Thanks a lot for your help. Where I live means I cant test before I buy so all info is so valuable.
Can't see how you'd go wrong with Profoto gear other than spending more than you can really afford. I think with my style of shooting, I would probably prefer using pack/head versus the monolights that I currently have (Alien Bee). With the pack, you can dial in your power in one spot without having to walk around to each light to make adjustments.
oh, i'll certainly be spending more than i can afford, don't worry about that! actually its a great price (relatively speaking) or i wouldn't be getting it.
by the way, all profoto flash durations are measured at t=0.5 in case anyone's interested.
The 7b packs are nice, but for what they are, I think they are too expensive. My key problems with the 7b are as follows;
- The pack supports a maximum of 2 lights
- You can only use pro heads on them, which means my Acute2/D4 heads are out of the question. This seems pretty silly when you consider that one of Profoto’s most advanced packs (the D4) uses Acute heads, while their only portable solution (the 7b and 7b2’s) use Pro7 heads. Making the two systems incompatible is baffling to me.
- The 7b can be used independent of a power outlet, or it can be charging. There’s no way to use the pack while it is connected to AC power unless you buy the b2 (which is another $2000), or you buy the special adapter (also about $2000).
The only reason I would look at the 7b is if you need fast recycle times on location. If not, you might be better off getting a generator or an AB vagabond, and just hooking up a Profoto Acute box ($3000 gets you a box that can support three lights, plus two lights included). Of course, Profoto is now doing a promotion where you can pick up the 7b and get a free head in the bargain. Overall, though, I think I like the idea of a generator or some other portable AC power source, since I could use it not just for my lights, but also for hooking up a laptop on location. I could also use a generator for countless other things, while a 7b is only good for powering 7-series heads.
I just picked up a 7b (used, pvt party) and a Pro 7 head (demo, Calumet) I love it.
The reason Acute heads dont work on Pro 7 packs has something to do with the voltage output or something like that. Basically the D4 series pack can run both (Acute and Pro 7 series) because the output is normalized for both types of heads (and you definately pay a premium for it.)
I know at first glance you would think that all profoto heads should go with all profoto packs but there is definately a difference (e.g. there is a Pro 7 Ringflash and a totally separate Acute Ringflash) The Acute and Pro 7 lines were initially developed for different segments of the market. That thinking obviously has been abandoned since you can now run two types of head on a D4 pack.
Also, you CAN use the Pro 7B while its plugged into the wall but you really dont gain anything. The pack will run from the battery first and will never draw directly from your AC line (I was curious about it and peppered a profoto rep about it)
In my opinion that's the only drawback to the 7B (the fact that you have to buy a special, rediculously expensive charger adapter in order for it to operate like a normal AC pack.
I went with the Visatec Litepac, which are basically the Mobil repackaged. They use a different connector and are 600 w/s, which are the two biggest differences.
You can pick up a pack, head, battery, charger and case - the Travel Kit - for less than $1,350 used.
I have 3 of them and my studio partner just bought one. They are extremely well designed, elegant, lightweight, and 100% reliable. Great consistency and great color. The ringflash is great on the battery pack for location work.
I haven't used anything else on location since I got them! (Dynalite UNI 400's, Dynalite XP 1100, Canon 550, etc.) I love them!
Attachments are a bit expensive, being Broncolor. If you are interested I can tell you which ones you might need and how to economize.
You didn't say what type of photography you're getting into. If it's fashion, then your money would be better spent on quality lenses and an amazing camera body ( I see you own a Hassy). The pro photographers I know who actually own Profoto are product photogs. If you're getting into fashion, I would recommend that you rent the Profoto gear for important jobs and expense it to the client. I would buy something light and versatile like the Dynalites (you can rent the XP 1100 for $50 when you need battery power) or the Alien Bees for smaller jobs that you can shoot on the fly. Though I own the AB's, most photoshoots I've been to -- like celeb portraits, are shot using the Dynalites. The bigger fashion clients and magazines tend to use Profoto. All three brands are terrific lights. But if you're not making a killer paycheck from your assignments, then it's best to work with some of the other reliable products that won't swallow your wallet.
Hi&salute anyone here @ fredmiranda
i have got a brand new profoto 7b battery pack with
1 pro7b head with umbrella holder.(replaced with zoom reflector&acc grid holder using rosco filters and 10 degree honeycomb grid.
1 proringflash with plate
2 battery drawes with cassette
my problem is when turn dial to max,1200 w my model lamb starts to blink.it blinks even @minimum power also.why is that? i thought that it might be about the battery but i ve discharced the battery which comes in it.than recharged battery about 5 hours. i tried with the other battery with cassette.even i plug recharger on the pack and left the pack without touching it for hours THE MODEL LAMB IS STILL BLINKING... what should i do? or what i m i doing wrong?
there's nothing written about the blinking in 7b's manual.or the first charge.
any help will be appreciated.
thank you. Serhan Nasirli
Can't go wrong with Profoto, but as Deezie pointed out, make sure you can afford it and get your money's worth from it. Elinchrom is nice as well, and is much more compact then the 7b. Flash durations are short, but recycling is not the fastest. I think the run about $2500 for a pack and head (not really sure though), I'm not sure how that compares to Profoto. In a battery powered system I'm looking for performance/weight beyond anything else.
Not having a lot of cash to spend, I went with Dynalite because they were pretty inexpensive (compared to others), readily avilble used, I could buy/rent the battery any time and I can always rent specialized equipment as necessary. I do wish there was a ring light for it, but other wise I'm pretty happy. I have to admit that I would love a to get a the Elinchrom.
As Arka C. mentioned, the Dynalite XP 1100 are great portable battery packs if you already have a studio strobe system.
The Profoto Acute 2 packs are small and light, they would work well with the XP 1100 for location work. I only sold my XP 1100 and went to the portable packs because I have chronic pain problems and didn't want to carry as much. If you are younger you should be fine
The Hensel Porty are also popular and a little less expensive, especially used.
the hensels are great, but i don't like the power plug they use. it's similar to the old style balcars, right? If the pin design is similar, it's also very easy to jam a pin into the cable. Arcing can occur if they're not all connected properly.
The Broncolor Mobil/Visatec lamps as well as Balcar AQ have the normal powerpack plug, that long and slender connector that snaps in. I believe that this is the best setup.
Unfortunately for me, I like how Elinchrom and Hensel are water resistant, furthermore, Hensels' Porty Premium 1200 has a metal handle on the powerpack along with an integrated radio and remote control that controls the lights AND there is ASYMMETRICAL power output!
Out of all the brands, Here are the models power Asymmetricl Power output and Symmetrical Power Output
-------However, Price point considered, Having two symmetrical powerpacks instead of one is definitely worth it as you can separate your lights further as well as change the power output levels independently of one another (more so than the asymmetrical setups). However, you do miss the advantages of one premium powerpack's options, more flashes, smaller packakge, radio tx/rx, shorter flash duration. etc.
thanks guys for all the responses, i'm sorry i havent been able to respond sooner.
i've ended up going with the 7b (which is an asymmetrical pack btw) mainly due to reasons which i didn't really mention earlier. judging by the feedback here there are other solutions which may offer similar features at a better price as well. those hensels do sound nice but i'm not sure how well supported they are in australia. elinchrom's certainly are but the price for the ranger dx series would be higher than the deal i'm getting on the 7b.
i do have some huge old multiblitz strobes but they would basically become redundant with the new setup. i've found an older profoto pro 6 freeze pack which i think would complement the 7b very nicely as i can use the older heads on the 7b and still get that fast flash duration for either ac or dc power.
the main uses for the 7b would be skating and weddings/location portraits. (quite a combo i know!) i also do some architectural work where ac power hasn't yet been connected
if i had a satisfactory set of ac strobes i would've definitely considered the dynalite but as i'm looking to start with a completely new system the 7b seemed more appropriate.
anyway, thanks again for the replies. i'll be sure to post how it works out.
profoto 7b 100 ws model lamp blinks at full power.which is a bad suprize.and it doesn't writen in the manual also.if u want to know the mail follows:
You have to understand something about battery operated packs. Yes it does blink when you put it on Max. But if you put it in minimum it does not. The reason why it blinks on Max is due to the charging circuitry on the Pro 7B unit and it only happens while recharging. There is nothing you can do because this is the nature of the beast. Pro 7b 2 does not have that problem. Anyway the blinking of the modeling lamp will not affect any shots you make. The modeling lamp on Pro 7b only gives you the highlight of how will you see your subject before firing your camera . If it bothers you that much send it to Profoto Repair Department and they will check it for you. You have two year warranty on Pro 7b Battery not included on warranty.
what i dont understand is,why it doesnt written on the manual.if you want you can dowload the manual on profoto's website.there's nothing about it.it s a shame for high end i think.or for me.i ve spend 7000 grand to pack and shocked
i thought that it might be about the battery but i ve discharced the battery which comes in it.than recharged battery about 5 hours. i tried with the other battery with cassette.even i plug recharger on the pack and left the pack without touching it for hours THE MODEL LAMB IS STILL BLINKING... what should i do? or what i m i doing wrong?