The Profoto A1 is designed with light shaping capabilities; it has a unique round head with a soft, smooth fall-off that makes it easy to create a natural and beautiful light. The A1 also offers a built-in LED modeling light that makes it easy to set the light and understand how light and shadows work together.
And it’s extremely easy to use. The user interface is large, clean and clear. Like all Profoto products, it’s intuitive to use and you don’t need to read a long instruction manual to understand how it works. AirTTL remote is also built in to the A1. With AirTTL and HSS you create professional results fast and easy and with the remote you can seamless connect to other Profoto flashes and control them easily from the A1.
Profoto A1 is not only an on-camera flash, it’s also very effective off-camera as a standalone unit. The A1 has its own Li-Ion high capacity exchangeable battery 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. A1 can keep up with you because it recycles four times faster than other on-camera solutions – that’s 1.2s at full power. Put simply, you’ll never miss a shot.
For compatible cameras, see the Technical specifications tab.
Features
Round head with soft, smooth and natural fall off.
AirTTL and HSS for a beautiful professional image fast.
Smart magnetic click-on mount for A1 Light Shaping Tools.
1DX Mark II
1DX
1DS Mark III
5DS
5DS-R
5D Mark IV
5D Mark III
5D Mark II
6D Mark II
6D
7D Mark II
7D
80D
77D
70D
60D
800D
700D
1300D
1100D
EOS R*
200D
M50
M6
M5
M
Power Shot G3X
Power Shot G1X Mark III
* Compatibility deviations with EOS R: 1. No support for 2nd curtain sync. 2. No support for AF assist. 3. Framerate limited to max 3 fps.
Flash
Max energy
76 Ws
Energy range
9 f-stops (2.0-10)
HSS energy range
9 f-stops (2-10)
Recycling time
0.05-1.2s
Energy stability
0.2 f-stop
TTL
Yes
HSS
Yes
Modeling 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).
Some cameras restrict maximum speed when using flash on camera. By using ‘X-SYNC’ you can shoot up to 20 frames per second. The X-sync mode only works in manual mode and without High Speed Sync.
Yes, since they are magnetic, you can stack different A1 modifiers together. When using Soft Bounce, please make sure to fit additional modifiers on top on Soft Bounce and not under it. This will make sure best fitting of the Soft Bounce.
The easiest way is to use umbrellas to create soft lighting. Use a stand adapter with hot shoe connection and umbrella mount. You can also use Profoto RFi Speedlight Speedring together with the full range of RFi Softboxes.
Yes, A1 can be used with full functionality with any Profoto Air Remote TTL on camera. It doesn’t matter which brand A1 is made for when it is used off-camera.
For Canon users, make sure ‘Hi-S’ is activated. If not, the camera will sync at maximum sync speed which is normally 1/200s or 1/250s. That will normally result in an over exposed image in bright condition. For Nikon users, make sure ‘Auto FP’ is activated in the camera so that a fast shutter speed can be used.
At some settings the LED will flicker which can result in lines across the image. Follow the instruction ‘Can I use the modeling light on the A1 for video and still images?’ in this FAQ how to set the model light for best result.
"On (Transmit only)" is added to the list of user selectable Air settings. If you are using A1/A1X on camera and activate this setting you can use it to trigger and control other lights on selected channel but your A1/A1X cannot be triggered or controlled by others.
Minor bug fixes.
Released
15 May, 2019
Version
C3
Release notes
More Air channels are added. Channel 9-20 are added to previous channels 1-8.
Redesigned and improved user interface (for the A1).
Improved save-settings handling.
Various minor fixes.
Released
30 November, 2018
Version
B9
Release notes
Profoto A1 for Canon
The update adds camera compatibility with Canon EOS R.
Note that EOS R doesn´t support the AF assist on the A1. It will use on-camera LED as AF assist.
Profoto A1 for Nikon
The update adds camera compatibility with Nikon Z6 and Z7.
Note that Z6 and Z7 doesn't support the AF assist on the A1. They will use on-camera LED as AF assist.
The Profoto Off-Camera Kit is simplicity personified. Profoto Connect and the A1X; a powerful and easy to use combination. Used together with the Profoto app it gives you seamless control and freedom to bring your vision to life. Anytime, anywhere.
