Profoto A1 | Profoto (US)
Profoto A1
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Technical specifications

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Overview

  • Product number

    330180

Camera compatibility

  • Supported camera models

    1D X Mark III*
    1D X Mark II
    1D X
    EOS-R5*
    EOS-R**
    5D Mark IV
    5D Mark III
    5DS
    5DS R
    6D Mark II
    6D
    7D Mark II
    80D
    77D
    800D
    200D
    1300D
    PS G3
    PS G1X Mark III
    M6
    M5
    M50
    70D
  • Additional note

    * TTL in mirrorless does not work properly when focusing < 1m

    ** AF Assist not supported. Limited to 3fps (manual and TTL). No support for 2nd curtain sync.

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).

Additional connections

  • USB

    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

Miscellaneous

  • User upgradeable firmware

    Yes
  • Digital display

    Yes

Measurements

  • Weight

    560 g (1.2 lbs) including battery

Overview

  • Product number

    330180

Camera compatibility

  • Supported camera models

    1D X Mark III*
    1D X Mark II
    1D X
    EOS-R5*
    EOS-R**
    5D Mark IV
    5D Mark III
    5DS
    5DS R
    6D Mark II
    6D
    7D Mark II
    80D
    77D
    800D
    200D
    1300D
    PS G3
    PS G1X Mark III
    M6
    M5
    M50
    70D
  • Additional note

    * TTL in mirrorless does not work properly when focusing < 1m

    ** AF Assist not supported. Limited to 3fps (manual and TTL). No support for 2nd curtain sync.

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).

Additional connections

  • USB

    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

Miscellaneous

  • User upgradeable firmware

    Yes
  • Digital display

    Yes

Measurements

  • Weight

    560 g (1.2 lbs) including battery

What's included?

Choose variant:

A1 AirTTL-C Unit

x 1

USB Cable 2.0 Type A to Micro B

x 1

Power Cable C7 US/CA

x 1

Li-Ion Battery for A1

x 1

A-Series Battery Charger

x 1

A-Series Bag

x 1

A-Series Flash Stand

x 1

Dome Diffuser

x 1

Bounce Card

x 1

Wide Lens

x 1

A1 AirTTL-N Unit

x 1

USB Cable 2.0 Type A to Micro B

x 1

Power Cable C7 US/CA

x 1

Li-Ion Battery for A1

x 1

A-Series Battery Charger

x 1

A-Series Flash Stand

x 1

Dome Diffuser

x 1

Bounce Card

x 2

Wide Lens

x 1

A-Series Bag

x 1

A1 AirTTL-C Unit

x 2

USB Cable 2.0 Type A to Micro B

x 1

Power Cable C7 US/CA

x 1

Li-Ion Battery for A1

x 2

A-Series Battery Charger

x 1

A-Series Flash Stand

x 2

Dome Diffuser

x 2

A-Series Bag

x 2

A1 AirTTL-N Unit

x 2

USB Cable 2.0 Type A to Micro B

x 1

Power Cable C7 US/CA

x 1

Li-Ion Battery for A1

x 2

A-Series Battery Charger

x 1

A-Series Flash Stand

x 2

Dome Diffuser

x 2

A-Series Bag

x 2

FAQ

How do I use the A1 as an off-camera light?

Enable ‘Air’ in the menu and select same channel on both transmitting and receiving unit and you are ready to shoot off-camera.

How do I work with High-Speed Sync (HSS) on my Nikon camera?

In the camera, select ‘Auto FP’ and you are ready to use any shutter speed on the camera.

How do I optimize to get maximum frame rates, FPS?

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.

Can I use the A1 in wet conditions, as rain or snow?

The A1 is designed to be used in dry conditions and should not be used in rain or snow.

Can I combine the different A1 light modifiers?

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.

How do I best create large, soft lighting with A1?

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.

Can I use A1 off-camera with Sony, Olympus or Fujifilm?

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.

I get over exposed images when shooting in bright conditions even if TTL is enabled?

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.

I get black horizontal lines across the image when shooting with LED modeling light?

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.

The Soft Bounce disconnects too easy when used in combination with other modifiers?

Make sure the Soft Bounce is mounted directly on the A1 head. If you use any modifier in between this will weaken the connection.

Latest firmware updates

Released

09 March, 2020

Version

C7

Release notes

  • No feature changes. 
  • Minor bugfixes. 

Released

20 November, 2019

Version

C6

Release notes

  • Minor bugfixes from previous version C5. 
  • Mac installer fixed for macOS Catalina. 

Released

30 September, 2019

Version

C5

Release notes

  • "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.

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Discontinued

Profoto A1

Choose variant:

Discontinued product

This product is discontinued and thus not available for purchase. For more information, please contact us.

Description

A1 for Canon The world’s smallest studio light

Product number: 901201-US

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.
  • Dedicated A1 Light Shaping Tools available.
  • LED modeling light integrated to the head.
  • Air Remote built-in.
  • Rechargeable and exchangeable Li-Ion battery.
  • 1.2s recycling time.
  • TTL/MAN switch.
  • Built in motor-zoom with hand control.
  • Auto focus (AF) assist.
  • Large Hi-Res display.

Tutorials for the Profoto A1

A1 Walkthrough
Using the A1 with Canon
Using the A1 with Nikon
A1 Fill flash made easy
Using the A1 as a flash and an Air Remote TTL
A1 Hybrid Mode
Taking the A1 off camera
Light Shaping Tools for the A1
Using the A1 with other Light Shaping Tools
Using the A1 together with the B1 and B2

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