Dear all,
I am currently using a large narrow rectangular profoto softbox (mounted on a B1 monoblock) as top light but lack ceiling height in my small studio.
I am therefore looking for a led panel recommendation.
Top criteria:
- quality of light color relative to profoto strobe - 5500k and CRI>95?
- size (ideally 4x1 feet)
Matching LED with strobes, assuming you're using other B1s in your studio, isn't a great mix. I've tried many, CREE is developed here, and matching output and color is tuff. And what you find is best today will become outdated quickly with the next generation being cheaper and better every year for the next few.
I've been shooting with Profoto since the Pro 6 generation. I'm currently using Pro 6/7/10 and the original D1s with the same built in reflector as your B1. Fortunately I bought the domes when they were only $100. Even with the domes the D1/2 B1/1X are very uneven in the 1x3 and 1x4 Profoto stip boxes.
A Profoto Acute head and pack will give you a far better light edge to edge and end to end in those softboxes. Of course any Pro 6 or newer head would do the same but the Acute heads much smaller and provide the same light.
Having said that, in your part of the world a good used Comet pack and head(s) would be what I'd look for. I use Profoto and Broncolor for the modifiers, but the Comet CX and CB packs and heads are equivalent in color and I mix them with the PF and Bron heads all the time. Comet heads are about 1/4 the length of your B1.