Profoto B10

Profoto B10 – the most versatile compact flash on the market

Profoto continues to expand its comprehensive flash system with the TTL-compatible Profoto B10, which is battery-powered and compact. The B10 is part of the OCF family, which began with the compact B2 power pack and was followed by the B1X monoblock. The range also includes the recently launched A1 ”handheld” flash. The B10 cleverly combines the features of a single-head flash with the automatic exposure control familiar from handheld flashes mounted on top of the camera. The aim is to take the concept of ”technological innovation” a step further; Profoto has combined the best features of all previous OCF models into the B10, which measures less than 18 centimetres.

The 250Ws flash unit features 10-stop power adjustment and fast recycling times of 0.05–2.2 seconds. The flash duration is a motion-freezing 1/7000 of a second, but the light also features a ‘Freeze’ mode which prioritises a short flash duration, allowing you to achieve up to 1/50,000 of a second at minimum power. The B10 is powered by a lithium-ion battery capable of delivering 400 flashes at full power after a 90-minute charge. A 60-minute charge will charge the battery to 80% if you have less time available. Naturally, one of the most interesting features of the B10 flash is its TTL technology, which utilises your camera’s automatic exposure system and significantly reduces the time between inspiration, execution and exposure. The way to access this excellent feature is to purchase the wireless Air Remote TTL controller, which is currently available for Sony, Fujifilm, Canon, Nikon and Olympus cameras.

The controller, which attaches to the boot, has 8 channels and three groups that keep signal interference under control. Each group can be controlled separately, and exposure compensation can be set within a range of +/- 2 EV in TTL systems, and across 9 stops in manual mode. It can trigger the B10 in manual mode from a distance of up to 300 metres. The range in TTL mode is a third of this, equivalent to the length of a football pitch. The B10 and Air Remote TTL also support High Speed Sync photography at shutter speeds of up to 1/8000. This allows the photographer to easily control the ratio of ambient light to flash output. And you can capture wide-aperture shots even in harsh light. What’s more, with Profoto’s smartphone app, you can capture well-lit images using your mobile phone too.

In addition to these versatile features, the B10 is fitted with an LED modelling light equivalent to a 150W incandescent bulb. Not only is it dimmable, but its colour temperature can also be adjusted from 3,000 Kelvin to 6,500 Kelvin. Its high CRI rating (90–96) makes it ideal for video use. The battery life with the modelling light on is 75 minutes at full power.

Profoto B10 – key features

• The same size and shape as a camera lens
• Lightweight and wireless
• the power of five hand-held torches
• continuous adjustment of light output and colour temperature
• also handy for use with camera tripods
• Compatible with over 120 Profoto light-shaping tools, including the entire OCF range
• Compatible with Profoto Air TTL transmitters, including the Profoto A1
• Smartphone control
• Freeze mode reduces the duration of flashes to as little as 1/50,000 of a second