Photography News Issue 66

Photography News | Issue 66 | photographynews.co.uk

First tests

Profoto Connect £259

Specs

Profoto continues to innovate its product line-up with the emphasis on freeing photographers from the technical stuff – so they can focus on the important stuff (ie. their pictures). The Connect is a button and readout-free wireless flash trigger compatible with all AirTTL-equipped Profoto lighting units. This includes the battery-powered B10, the mains D2 and the A1, an advanced hotshoe- fitting flashgun that Profoto calls the world’s smallest studio light. I used the A1 (Nikon compatible) to test the Connect. I had Fujifilm and Nikon versions and tested them with the Fujifilm X-T2 and GFX 50R, and the Nikon D850. Finally, I had an iPhoneX with the Profoto app installed. The app is available for iPhone 7 and later, running on iOS11 or later. There is no Android version. The Connect has just three settings – off, auto and manual. A hotshoe locking button, a USB-C charging port and a tiny LED on the top fascia completes the unit’s physical attributes. First up came charging the unit’s internal li-polymer battery with the supplied cord. Once charged, you have a claimed 30 hours operating time. There’s no battery level indication on the unit, but there is on the app. Next, you need to get the hotshoe- mountedConnect and theA1 speaking to each other. With the A1 and Air feature switched on, the connection was automatic, and once successfully linked the flash connection is automatically re-establishedwhen the camera/A1/Connect are switched off and on again. Now the A1 and Connect are connected you can simply start shooting TTL flash without doing anything else – apart fromluxuriating in the great results. Of course life isn’t quite as simple as that, and if you need to adjust the TTL output or prefer to shoot in manual, this is where the free Profoto app comes in. Open the app and – assuming the phone’s Bluetooth is on – within a few seconds you’ll see that the Connect is detected. You can adjust TTL flash exposures up to +/-3EV in -0.1EV steps. In manual, you get an

Price

£259

In the box Connect, USB-C to A charging cable, protective case Compatibility Connect C for Canon, Connect N for Nikon, Connect S for Sony, Connect F for Fujifilm and Connect O for Olympus Frequency 2.4Ghz Number of sync channels 8 Operating range Normal sync and remote control up to 300m. TTL and HSS up to 100m Air features Flash sync, remote control, TTL and HSS Bluetooth Yes Firmware update Via Profoto app and Bluetooth Power Built-in rechargeable li-polymer battery with 30 hour capacity Dimensions (hxd) 29x45mm Weight 43g Contact profoto.com

Above The Connect is a wireless trigger with rechargeable li-polymer battery and just three settings: on/off, auto (TTL flash), and manual

Below The Profoto app has a simple, clear interface. Here you can see manual mode output has been increased by 0.5EV

Left Easy to set up and use, the Connect also benefits from its compact, portable size The app’s cog icon menu gives options of first or rear curtain sync, air channel setting, and there is an advanced sub-menu for firmware updating. There is anRFpower option, too, with settings from P1 (maximum) to P7 (minimum), with P4 being the default. A high power (lower number) gives better long-range performance. I usually don’t feel the need to shoot with the A1 any further than five metres from the camera position. However, I did take the A1/Connect duo outdoors to test, placed 30 metres apart and in line of sight, and the flash fired reliably every time. WC adjustment range of +/-10EV in 0.1EV steps. Power change is quick with a finger swipe, or you can just tap the ‘+’ or ‘–’ icon for precise 0.1EV power change. Neither in auto or manual do you see on the app any direct indication of the A1’s 2 to 10 power setting. With the app’s +/-10EV adjustment range in manual mode, you can cover the whole power range quickly.

You can start shooting TTL without doing anything else

Verdict

The Profoto Connect is a very welcome addition to its range. It is simple to use and it’s tiny. For me, it has the added attraction that I have a Nikon compatible A1 and now have a cheaper way of enjoying it fully with my Fujifilm system. Yes, the Connect doesn’t have the group options and the controllability of Air Remote TTL triggers – which sell for £349, so if you want that extra functionality you have to take that route. However, for shooting simplicity the Connect has a great deal to commend it. Pros Small, simple to use, works really well Cons Needs phone/tablet for full control, limited range of control options, no Android app