Profoto A1 - The world's smallest studio light | Profoto (UK)

This is the A1

The A1 is every inch a Profoto light – just smaller. Its unique round head delivers light that’s both natural and beautiful with a soft smooth fall-off. And it’s incredibly easy to use with superfast recycling and a long-lasting battery, so you’ll never miss a shot. On the move, shooting on-camera or off, this is light shaping excellence everywhere.

  • Rechargeable
    Li-Ion battery
  • Dedicated light shaping tools with
    Magnetic mount
  • Extremely fast recycling
    1.2s
  • Remote control and receiver
    Integrated AirTTL
  • Integrated
    LED modeling light

Overview

  • Product name:

    A1 AirTTL-C Unit

  • Product number

    330180

Camera compatibility

  • Supported camera models

    R1*
    R3*
    R5*
    R5 Mark II*
    R6*
    R6 Mark II*
    R*
    1DS Mark III
    1D X
    1D X Mark II
    1D X Mark III
    5D Mark II
    5D Mark III
    5D Mark IV
    5DS
    5DS R
    6D
    6D Mark II
    7D
    7D Mark II
    60D
    70D
    77D
    80D
    200D
    700D
    800D
    1100D
    1200D
    1300D
    PS G1X Mark III
    PS G3

  • Additional note

    * Auto AF assist not supported.

Flash

  • Max energy

    76 Ws

  • Energy range

    9 f-stops (2.0-10)

  • Recycling time

    0.05-1.2s

  • Energy stability

    0.2 f-stop

  • HSS energy range

    9 f-stops (2-10)

  • TTL

    Yes

  • HSS

    Yes

Continuous light

  • Lamp type

    LED

Wireless connectivity

  • Operating range

    Normal sync and remote control up to 300 m (1000 ft).
    TTL and HSS up to 100 m (330 ft).

Connectors

  • Other

    Yes, USB micro connector for firmware upgrades

  • Firmware update

    USB micro connector for firmware upgrades

Powering

  • Battery capacity

    Up to 350 full power flashes

  • Additional note

    Battery charges in up to 80 minutes

Other

  • Firmware updates

    Yes

  • Digital display

    Yes

Measurements

  • Weight

    560 g (1.2 lbs) including battery

At a glance

Why choose the A1

Light that’s both natural and beautiful

Because we designed the A1 with a round head rather than the typical rectangular shape used by other on-camera solutions, the light it delivers is both natural and beautiful. That spread of light can also be easily adjusted from a wide setting, where the light has a soft smooth fall off to something narrower and more focused – with just a simple twist of the zoom ring on the head.

More than light

Being able to work with light is the key to creating better, more creative images. That’s why the A1 has a dedicated set of light-shaping modifiers that, thanks to a built-in smart magnetic mount, can be easily clicked on and off or stacked to help you achieve exactly the effect you want. These include a Dome Diffuser, Bounce Card, Wide Lens, Gel Kit and a Soft Bounce.

AirTTL means built-in convenience and versatility

With AirTTL you have a huge amount of built-in flexibility. TTL allows you to lock in the perfect exposure instantly, giving you far greater degree of control and a significantly faster workflow. It’s pretty much point-and-shoot; it’s easy, fast and precise. And the ‘Air’ feature means you can communicate with another A1 or other Profoto light seamlessly, and High-Speed Sync is right there when you need it.

Visualize your image with the modeling light

The A1’s built-in modeling light gives you an instant understanding of how light and shadow work together before you press the shutter, as well as providing an additional light source in low light situations.

No more worrying about battery life

The A1 has its own exchangeable Li-Ion high capacity battery pack that lasts up to four times longer than AA batteries with no performance fade, and a facility to recharge quickly. So you can shoot for longer with confidence.

Never miss a shot

The A1 can keep up because it recycles four times faster than most on-camera solutions – that’s every 1.2 seconds at full power. Put simply, you’ll never miss a shot.

Less time learning means more time shooting

We designed the A1 to be uncomplicated, so there’s no learning curve whatsoever. And because the interface is simple, clean and clear there’s no ‘death by menu.’ That means, you can spend more time engaged with your clients and creating a great image.

Grow with the A1

The A1 is a tool that can take your photography as far as you want to go. Adding a second A1 will open up even more possibilities. In addition to embracing and more powerful lights like the B1X and the B2 and the 120+ light-shaping tools available, it will open the door to a world of creative opportunities.

Get natural and beautiful light, quickly and easily Profoto A1

The only difference between the A1 and every other studio light we make is size – it’s small enough to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, making the A1 our first, true on-camera solution.

It delivers a quality of light that’s both natural and beautiful, because like the larger Profoto lights in the family, the A1 features a round head that gives a soft smooth fall off – that’s what makes the light feel so wonderfully natural.

Profoto A1 Duo Kit Tina Eisen reveals six setups for creative portraits
Profoto A1 Duo Kit

Tina Eisen reveals six setups for creative portraits

Follow portrait and beauty photographer, Tina Eisen, as she creates six different setups and portraits with two Profoto A1s.
Photo: Sal Cincotta

The world is my studio

Sal Cincotta, one of the world’s premier wedding and portrait photographers, constantly pushes the limits, and travels the globe seeking locations that ensure unique and memorable images.

Follow Sal to New York City, where he puts the Profoto A1 to the test in a one of the world’s most iconic places. Challenged to create some epic imagery for his wedding couple, he battles the fast-paced environment in the city that never sleeps.

Go behind the scenes The A1 will change the way I photograph forever

The A1 will change the way I photograph forever

Follow photographer Sal Cincotta behind the scenes to New York City where he put the Profoto A1 to the test.
Sal Cincotta The world is my studio

The world is my studio

One great photographer, one great city, four iconic locations. Watch the Profoto A1 in action.
This is the A1 The world’s smallest studio light

The world’s smallest studio light

Let product Manager Johan Wiberg introduce the A1
Hideaki Hamada The world is my studio

The world is my studio

Japanese photographer Hideaki Hamada uses the A1 to create a lazy, airy summer look
Bella Kotak The world is my studio

The world is my studio

London based Fine Art photographer Bella Kotak creates fairytale inspired portraits with the A1
Jean-Phillippe Lebee The world is my studio

The world is my studio

French image creator Jean-Phillippe Lebee illuminates female beauty using the A1
Haiyin Lin The world is my studio

The world is my studio

Fashion photographer Haiyin Lin travels to the Mongolian wilderness to test a small light in big scenery
Marie Bärsch The world is my studio

The world is my studio

German photographer Marie Bärsch tests the A1 in the harsh sun in Matera, in southern Italy
Two Mann Studios The world is my studio

The world is my studio

Canadian Two Mann Studios bring the A1 to the middle of an epic wedding dance floor
Mara Saiz The world is my studio

The world is my studio

Spanish-born photographer Mara Saiz shoots secretive sisters in Valencia with the Profoto A1
Vanessa Joy The world is my studio

The world is my studio

New Jersey based Vanessa Joy creates natural light with the A1 at a dreamy wedding venue
Fabian Wester The world is my studio

The world is my studio

Stockholm based Fabian Wester tests the A1 in a lifestyle shoot for a famous Instagrammer

Magnetic modifiers A1 Light Shaping Tools

Thanks to a smart magnetic mount built into the head, light shaping modifiers can be clicked on and off quickly and easily. Within seconds you’re working with the light, shaping it. You can view all A1 modifiers under Add ons.

Add ons

Accessorize your A1

The more lighting options you have, the more light shaping control and creativity you have at your disposal. The A1 is part of Profoto’s AirTTL system and offers a line of ease-to-use light shaping modifiers, and other accessories, designed to get everything to location quickly and easily.

Photo: Michael Anthony

Light Shaping Tools

Photography is all about controlling and shaping light. With the A1 it has never been easier to take your creativity to the next level with our dedicated range of magnetic, easy-to-use A1 modifiers.

Bounce Card

Bounce light with the A10, A1X or A1
£33.33

Soft Bounce

Create soft flattering light with the A10, A1X or A1.
£124.17
View all light shaping tools
Photo: Michael Anthony

Accessories

Everything you could possibly need, from a customized bag to a battery charger and spare battery. The bits and pieces that bring it all together.

A-Series Battery Charger

A standard charger for A-series batteries.
£30.83

A-Series Bag

Keeps your A10, A1X or A1 safe and secure
£45.83
View all accessories
Photo: Michael Anthony

Grow with the system

The Profoto A1 is designed to help you grow and develop, that’s why it allows you to seamlessly move up to a system of lights when the time is right. Because the A1 also acts as an Air Remote trigger for other TTL lights it’s surprisingly easy to work in combination with our other popular off-camera flashes or monolights.