The umbrella hole is not like the acutes or 7's where there is like a little metal ball inside the tube so it keeps pressure on the shaft of the umbrella?
That's how all Profoto heads have been almost since day one.
They never had any screws or knobs. Bowens have screws but they are on the outside of the reflector which I do not like.
The profoto system is the best as the light is more center than most other brands.
How is the new way of attaching umbrellas to the D-1?
Thanks
Snook
I was thinking of getting a kit also. I think elinchrom has had a remote system for a while an almost switched over to Elinchrom for that reason along with better or shorter flash durations.
Also if there is a 30% loss in usage over pocket wizards that stinks.
Would have been nice to incorporate it with Pocket wizards.
Hi Guys,
If you´re interested, here´s my input, good and bad, on the new Profoto D 1´s. I had the chance to try the new system in mid April and have since then purchased three complete 500 Air kits that I have been using on both studio and location including the outdoors. After 12 days of shooting I´m pretty impressed to say the least. But first let´s start with what could have been made better in my opinion:
Umbrella hole - When used in a 45 degree angle or more the enclosed white umbrella do have a tendency to shift position. Previous construction in older heads are better.
On/off - When plugging in the head, unit needs to be turned on manually and cannot be turned on by the remote control. This is a big minus especially if you need to move around a lot and unplug the unit. When plugged in you are able to easily turn it on/off.
Spread of light - When used inside a big light source such as Profoto´s 5, 7 or 8, the spread of the light is less effective compared to the traditional open faced Profoto heads and gives an altered look. It does work but not as good as it should. I have used the heads in Chimera strip banks without any problems though.
Flash sync/triggering - This is a little bit of trouble if you´re used to Pocket Wizards and flash meters with a built in remote triggers. You need to get new cables in order to plug these into the new D1 as this air unit doesn´t come with the standard sync socket. Pocket Wizard sell these cables at roughly $25.00/cable. You do have the option to manually trigger the flashes via the air remote and do manual flash reading but it involves removing air device from camera socket and remembering to put it back at time of shooting. I recommend to get an extra air remote to keep in your pocket and use to trigger flashes when making readings as well as controlling
light output - good to have as back-up as well:)
Remote control - Remote has a tendency to fall "asleep" between shots when not used frequently enough. Saves battery life, which is excellent by the way compared to the Wizards, but you have to remember to wake it up before you start to shoot. Also, there´s no hot shoe locking mechanism and the Air Remote tends to movein the socket depending on how you or your assistants handles the camera. Otherwise it´s a real good device with neat functions.
Mount - The unit is very nicely put together. Only real minus is the actual stand adapter with it´s plastic screw that doesn´t measure up and is hard to get really tight.
And now to the good stuff;
Acute killer? - In my opinion these new D1 units may well replace the whole line-up of Profoto Acute products. To me it´s a cross product that covers a lot of possible areas and usages. If I was able to turn back time or would start fresh, I would never have purchased all my Acutes (600 B´s, 1200 & 2400´s + heads - 4 of each - offers anyone?), and gotten the D1´s instead thus saving a lot of money and space. They are light weight and great for travel (I fitted 6 heads, power cables, 2 grid reflectors & 2 zoom reflectors in a Tenba Medium Air Case at 60+ lbs), you can use 3-4 of them simultaneously outdoors in combination with a Honda EU200ia generator (500Watt versions) and cheap 50 foot electrical cords or longer (less then $10.00 at Homedepot), weak enough when using just as fill flash with super fast recycling but still strong enough in studio situations at full power with still impressive recycle times. The light quality you will get with the enclosed umbrella blew my mind away when I used this unit for the first time. Without giving to much away this combo has a golden "Briese" look that you wouldn´t expect from such a simple set-up. Very different than when used with a traditional head
Grid reflectors, zoom reflectors, beauty dishes - I have not had a problem with the light quality with these devices. Instead it might even be improved in combination with the grid and zoom reflector. I find the light to be sculpted and defined with an even spread.
Chimera lanterns and pancakes - Not sufficient spread of light inside boxes to maximize quality of boxes.
Profoto 5, 7 & 8 giant reflectors - Light is to focused in center. Works but not as good as in combo with a traditional head.
Elinchrome Octa bank - Works OK. Make sure to keep white reflective fabric in center to improve spread. Traditional head still better.
Profoto Globes - Works OK. Spread from traditional heads better.
Chimera strip lights - No problems from what I can see when used as rim lights.
Umbrellas - Beautiful light in combination with Profoto´s white umbrella. Golden look reminiscent of Briese:) Gives great "pore texture" when shooting B&W portraits.
Light weight - Great for travel and location work. No need for heavy and expensive head extension cords. You can buy "regular" 50 foot 13 Amp outdoor electrical extension cords at any Homedepot etc. for less than $10.00/unit.
Asymmetrical - Each D1 unit is self contained and asymmetrical contrary to any Acute pack (besides the 600B´s) unless you use only one head per pack, where you have to use the A & B channels in different configurations depending on the light output. I agree that the Acutes punch a lot more power but unless you use them at 50% power or more there´s no real advantage with the Acutes. Instead this will considerably slow the recycling time & the flash duration (unable to freeze a fast moving person or object without artifacts). A remedy is to increase the ISO in the camera from 100 to 200 thus doubling the output of your D1´s without any major image loss.
Location usage - I did a studio shoot on location less than two weeks ago involving 30+ mma athletes and appx. 2500+ frames of portraits and fast moving action shots over a period of 4 hours. I was using Canon 1DS Marks III's at a very fast pace where I was constantly hitting the 10 frame buffer. The light set-up consisted of two rim lights at 80% output and two front lights at 45% and 60% output. ISO 100, F-stop 11. Not once did any lights not sync without triggering any fuses despite splitting the units on only two outlets.
Outdoor usage - I just finished a bikini layout at a body shop in Venice, CA, where I was using a Honda generator with three heads, a fan for hair and a laptop. Besides the noise (not to bad) the power source was very reliable and contrary to the 7B´s or 600B´s I was able to use the modeling lamp at all time. No guess work with other word.
Studio Usage - If you ever consider putting up a rail system for your lights in your studio the D1 Air would be a good option in order to save floor space and keep your studio less cluttered. Personally I still prefer to use my old asymmetrical D4´s + Acute heads for main lights since I already have them. But unless you are able to get these or the Pro 7 or 8´s to an incredible deal I would definitely invest fully in the new D1´s in combination with 1 or 2 acute packs with a few heads to use with certain light modifiers the requires a larger light spread.
Ring flash - It´s a no show which is unfortunate. But since I rarely use the ringflash in a traditional fashion (usually as a fill) I have been able to duplicate the look by mounting a ProRing Diffuser on a Zoom Reflector and blocking of the lens hole with black foil.
Conclusion - I don´t think most photographers have realized the significants of this new product from Profoto. The concept of self contained mono blocks is nothing new as they have represented an entry level for beginning photographers. The difference here though is the built quality, quality of light output and the advanced and reliable technology of the D1 aimed at pro shooters and that will compete with Profoto´s own top items. The risk here is that Profoto has shot themself in the foot by launching a product this good in the same way as Canon did when releasing the new Canon 5DII, leaving owners of 1Ds MARK III´s with a piece of equipment that will be worth close to nothing at the launch of next generation of the 1 Ds camera. I predict that the sale of the Profoto Acute, D4 and Pro 8 line will hit rock bottom and that anyone that tries to sell these units 2nd hand will have a hard time recouping their investment. The big winner will be the D1 system as long as the prizes don´t go up and Profoto keeps running their special promotions. With the rumored battery accessories and glass that will give a greater spread of light Profoto has really created a cross product that covers everything from studio to location shooting and that has an incredible potential.
Personally I´m very excited as it will simplify my photography in many ways at the same time as it sadden me as the stocks and value of my "old" gear is going downhill fast. Anyone interested in used Acutes in as good as new condition:) ?
P.S. If anyone over a Profoto reads this post you should really consider to sponsor me in some capacity. Not only am I a fellow Swede but I have been loyal to Profoto since 1987 and the time of the old Pro 3 and with experience of your HMI, Tungsten and flash products + every word mentioned above is of my honest opinion and non-bias D.S
Thanks for your time, Per Bernal
