Chicago 2.0 – What’s new and exciting from Profoto!

To continue on from my last blog post as promised, I thought I would share some news about the amazing new Profoto LED lights that I learned about at the training I attended in Chicago. You know it wasn’t all eating, Jazz and Baseball.

Profoto has recently entered into the realm of producing LED lights. One might say they are a little late to the game, and there is some truth to that, but you have to remember Profoto was onboard with continuous lighting with their Pro Tungsten lights many years ago. So not really a new player, but they avoided jumping in before they could offer something uniquely different, as well as something better. We all know LED Lighting technology continues to be a quickly advancing technology and almost every week there is something new. It will be a challenge for Profoto to stay in the top tier, but Profoto’s dedication to producing solid, well-built products that last, as well as keeping up with technology and design advances, is something one can rely on.

Back in June 2024 at Cine Gear Expo, Profoto announced their first LED light – the L1600, which, speaking of keeping up with changing technology, Profoto has already updated. The Profoto L1600D Mono-LED is a powerhouse of light. It offers an uncompromising speed of use thanks to the unparalleled power to weight ratio, powered by Profoto’s unique patent-pending cooling technology HydroCTech. The L1600D comes with dual mounting options, the Profoto mount and Bowens mount. With the Profoto Light Shaping Tool system at the core, users have access to an unmatched array of light modifiers. The L1600D also comes with a new take on the yoke, with a patent-pending swivel functionality, adding even more freedom of movement when setting the lights. Full details here :  https://www.beauphoto.com/product/profoto-l1600d-mono-led/

Since then, Profoto has built on this core light and at the Chicago training, we were privy to a hands-on training session. Similar to the L1600D, Profoto has brought out two more compact models – the L600D and L600C. These are built and designed for professionals who demand powerful output and impeccable light quality without compromising on size, as well as speed of use.

The Profoto L600D delivers 600 watts of consistent daylight-balanced illumination in a compact, self-contained design.

The Profoto L600C is also a powerful 600W LED but it is a full-color LED light designed for cinematic professionals who demand speed of use and flawless colour rendering. The L600C delivers stunning fidelity across an ultra-wide CCT range of 2.000K to 15.000K, making it the go-to fixture for any creative environment. It features the innovative Profoto Core light engine – the L600C delivers a TLCI of 99, and SSI 84/90, providing outstanding colour accuracy, covering the full colour space, and ensuring true-to-life tones for cinema-grade results. Whether you’re mimicking candlelight at 2.000K or matching blue-sky daylight at 15.000K, the L600C gives you complete control over white balance in any scenario – ideal for mixed-light environments and fine-tuned colour matching.

Both come with built-in HydroCTech™ system that enables effective heat dissipation and eliminates the need for an external ballast. All control and power electronics are seamlessly integrated into the lamp head minimizing set-up time on any set. No distractions, just performance.

Full details here:
https://www.beauphoto.com/product/profoto-l600d
https://www.beauphoto.com/product/profoto-l600c

If this was not amazing enough, what captured more attention was Profoto’s new LED panel – the Profoto ProPanel 3×2. This revolutionary LED panel designed to deliver 2000W of stunning soft light output in a lightweight and rugged IP65-rated package. Combining exceptional power, portability, and superior light quality.

Weighing only 27 kg (59 lbs), the ProPanel 3×2 is powered by Profoto’s innovative CTech™ technology, making it incredibly easy to handle. Unlike other high-power LED panels, a single gaffer can set it up in no time – no extra hands needed – and you can even use it in portrait mode. The ProPanel 3×2 features RGBWW technology, offering the widest color temperature range from 2.000K to 15.000K with a TLCI over 97. This ensures unmatched color accuracy, allowing creatives to produce stunning visuals with true-to-life color reproduction.

What most impressed those at the training outside of the incredible colours it produced, was how little this panel weighed compared to similar units produced by other companies. No special rigging is required nor are heavy duty stands needed to mount this panel.  For the most part one person / gaffer can handle and install this light.  Additional diffusion and grids are available for these panels in 4×3 and 6×5 ft. sizes and they just snap into place to create an even larger, softer, beautiful light source.

More info here: https://www.beauphoto.com/product/profoto-lp2000c/