Profoto's latest 'strobe in a can' lights have hit Australian shores and are basically an upgrade of the popular B10X series that were released in October 2021.
The Profoto B10X and B10X Plus were established as versatile, portable battery-powered lights, offering photographers a balance of size and performance for both studio and on-location work.
They featured integrated continuous LED lighting, a broad power range, and compatibility with Profoto's light shaping system, making them suitable for a variety of photographic needs. While highly regarded, the B10X series relied on a service center for flash tube replacement and offered a slightly less robust continuous light output.
The B20 & B30 have a slightly more rugged design over their predecessor, though I still wouldn't want to drop them. Images: Profoto
The new Profoto B20 (250W) and B30 (500W) build upon the B10X and B10X Plus by introducing several key enhancements. They boast a 13% faster recycling speed, allowing for quicker shot-to-shot performance, and feature a 40W bi-color LED with high CRI for colour accuracy that is 50% brighter, making them more capable for hybrid photo and video workflows.
A significant improvement is the user-replaceable flashtube, which eliminates downtime for service. The B20 and B30 also offer an increased 11 f-stop power range (with 0.1 f-stop control) and are designed with a rugged grip and more durable construction, indicating a focus on reliability in demanding environments.
Additionally, they incorporate an ECO mode for extended equipment lifespan and include a 3.5mm sync port for wired triggering.
Currently, the B20 is retailing for $3,899, while the B30 is $4,699. There's a 'Duo Kit' option where two units are sold together at a slightly lower price.
You can find out more on the Profoto website.
Profoto B20
Flash power: 250 Ws
Max energy range: 11 f-stops (0.25-250 Ws)
Recycling time: Eco mode: 0.01-1.1 s Boost/Freeze mode: 0.01-1.2s
Flash modes: Eco (Normal), Boost and Freeze
Power supply: B-Series Battery (4S1P)
Battery capacity: Up to 400 full power flashes
Max f-stop @ 2m / 100 ISO: Bare: 11 7/10 OCF Magnum: 22 3/10
Built-in connectivity: Profoto AirX
Bluetooth: Yes
Continuous light max lumen: 5 000 lm
Continuous light dimming range: 100-1 %
Sync connector: Yes (1 x 3.5 mm socket (mini-phone))
User-replaceable flashtube: Yes
Diameter: 11 cm / 4.3 in
Length: 21.0 cm / 8.27 in
Weight: 1.9 kg / 4.3 lb with battery and stand adapter
1.5 kg / 3.3 lb without battery and stand adapter
Profoto B30
Flash power: 500 Ws
Max energy range: 11 f-stops (0.25-500 Ws)
Recycling time: Eco mode: 0.01-1.8s
Boost/Freeze mode: 0.01-2.1 s
Flash modes: Eco (Normal), Boost and Freeze
Power supply: B-Series Battery (4S1P)
Battery capacity: Up to 220 full power flashes
Max f-stop @ 2m / 100 ISO: Bare: 16 7/10
OCF Magnum: 32 3/10
Magnum: 32 9/10
Built-in connectivity: Profoto AirX
Bluetooth: Yes
Continuous light max lumen: 5 000 lm
Continuous light dimming range: 100-1 %
Sync connector: Yes (1 x 3.5 mm socket (mini-phone))
User-replaceable flashtube: Yes
Diameter: 11 cm / 4.3 in
Length: 25.5 cm / 10 in
Weight: 2.2 kg / 4.9 lb with battery and stand adapter
1.8 kg / 4.0 lb without battery and stand adapter