Full Test: Profoto B1X to go
This revamped battery-powered flash kit packs significant punch, but is it a worthy update to the popular B1 model?
power and stamina are key factors for any battery-driven location flash kit. Both get significant upgrades in Profoto’s new B1X kit, making it a worthy update over the popular B1. The kit comprises a flash head, mains charger, rechargeable Li-ion battery and carrying bag. The whole caboodle is small and lightweight at just 5kg, the head itself weighing 3kg. That’s complete with clip-on battery, which avoids the need for tethering the head to a separate power pack via a chunky cable.
The powerful 500Ws head has a huge output range equivalent to nine f-stops, adjustable in 1/10thstop increments. There’s also an HSS (High Speed Sync) mode for using flash with fast shutter speeds, up to and including the fastest that your camera can muster. It’s great for overpowering the sun to darken backgrounds, as well as for using wide apertures in daylight to shrink depth of field. Fast shutter speeds can freeze action but, as an alternative, the B1X has a ‘Freeze’ flash mode, which delivers an extremely short flash duration down to 1/19,000 sec, for stopping motion in its tracks. Rear-curtain sync is also available.
Auto TTL flash metering is well implemented, and ideal for shooting events like weddings. It enables you to react instantly, eliminating the need to set the output manually, take light readings or test shots and then make further adjustments. As usual, however, you’ll need to buy an optional Canon-dedicated
remote trigger/controller to enable TTL modes (see below).
The B1X has an extended HSS power range over the original B1 head, and an LED modelling light that delivers 80 per cent more light. Indeed, its flicker-free output and high CRI (Colour Rendering Index) make it suitable as a constant lamp for shooting both stills and closerange video. The battery pack is also more powerful, with a 50 per cent energy boost.
Performance
Maximum flash output is impressive and there’s fairly minor drop-off when switching to HSS mode. There’s no power reduction in Freeze mode, although colour temperature is less consistent through the output range. TTL accuracy is good and comes complete with easy flash exposure compensation, via the remote.
Recycling speeds are very fast throughout most of the flash range and still pretty good even at very high output settings. The battery pack has sufficient stamina for 325 full-power flashes, running into the thousands at low-power settings. To fully recharge a flat battery takes 2.5 hours, or as little as 90 minutes with the optional 4.5A charger.
A car charger is also available.