Profoto dives into smartphone market with C1 and C1 Plus pocket-size lights

With smartphone cameras getting better and more widely used, there are more and more accessories for mobile photography on the market. Profoto has decided to jump on the bandwagon and it has just announced two pocket-sized speedlights. Profoto C1 and C1 Plus are aimed at smartphone photographers, and these tiny, yet powerful lights can fit a palm of your hand.

Both lights are controlled through a dedicated mobile app, and also compatible with all Profoto AirTTL remotes. So, you can easily switch your smartphone to a DSLR or mirrorless camera. When connected to an Air TTL remote, you can also connect it to other Profoto lights and use them in various combinations.

When it comes to the design, the lights are round shape, tiny and made to fit your palm. They both have a color rendering index (CRI) of >90, so they produce colors very close to daylight. You can choose automatic mode, or set the light manually if you want more freedom and creative control.

The Profoto C1 and C1 Plus feature power levels from “natural” to “dramatic” effect (max 1600 lumens) and they allow you to choose between flash and flicker-free continuous light. So, you can also use them for shooting videos, not just stills. They are both compatible with Profoto Clic, the new light shaping tool range which includes three color gels and a grid.

A downside is that the C1 and C1 Plus are compatible with iPhone 7 and later. In other words, it’s not compatible with either older models of iPhone nor Android phones, but Protofo reportedly plans to launch an Android-compatible version, too.

The two lights are pretty similar in specs, but the Plus version is “a little more of everything.” Here’s a comparison of the lights:

And let’s check out the full specs:

Profoto C1

Flash

Max Output	1600 Lumens
Max Illuminance	800 Lux at 3.3′ / 1.0 m
Color Temperature	3000 to 6500K (±200K)
Color Rendering Index (CRI)	90 to 98

Continuous Light

Max Output	280 Lumens
Max Illuminance	140 Lux
Color Temperature	3000 to 6500K (±200K)
Color Rendering Index (CRI)	90 to 98

Battery

Battery Type	Lithium-Ion Polymer (LiPo)
Battery Capacity	1500 mAh
Typical Battery Performance	>2000 Full-Power Flashes or >30 Minutes of Continuous Light at Full Power
Battery Charge Time	2 Hours (with an 800 mA Fast Charge)

Connectivity

Profoto App for iPhone 7 and Later

Yes, via Bluetooth

Bluetooth Low Energy Technology

Frequency Band	2.4 GHz (2404 to 2479.3 MHz)
No. of Frequency Channels	40
Radio Power Output	8 dBm (Maximum)

Dimensions & Weight

Diameter	2.9″ / 7.4 cm
Height	1.9″ / 4.8 cm
Weight	4.9 oz / 140 g

Profoto C1 Plus

Flash

Max Output	4300 Lumens
Max Illuminance	1700 Lux at 3.3′ / 1.0 m
Color Temperature	3000 to 6500K (±200K)
Color Rendering Index (CRI)	90 to 98
Recycling Time	1 second at full power

Continuous Light

Max Output	280 Lumens
Max Illuminance	140 Lux
Color Temperature	3000 to 6500K (±200K)
Color Rendering Index (CRI)	90 to 98

Battery

Battery Type	Lithium-Ion Polymer (LiPo)
Battery Capacity	1500 mAh
Typical Battery Performance	>2000 Full-Power Flashes or >40 Minutes of Continuous Light at Full Power
Battery Charge Time	2 Hours (with an 800 mA Fast Charge)

Connectivity

Profoto App for iPhone 7 and Later	Yes, via Bluetooth
Profoto Air	Yes, AirTTL Receiver Built In

Bluetooth Low Energy Technology

Frequency Band	2.4 GHz (2404 to 2479.3 MHz)
No. of Frequency Channels	40
Radio Power Output	8 dBm (Maximum)

Dimensions & Weight

Diameter	3.1″ / 7.9 cm
Height	1.5″ / 3.8 cm (Without Dome) 2.5″ / 6.4 cm (With Dome)
Weight	6.21 oz / 176 g (Without Dome) 7.34 oz / 208 g (With Dome)

The Profoto C1 and C1 plus are available for preorders – the C1 costs $299, while the C1 Plus will set you back $499.

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