Profoto D1 500/500/1000 Air 3 Light Studio Kit

2020-11-04T07:56:18

These are my dream lights that I finally took the plunge and purchased. Haven't used them much yet, but so far so good. Very user friendly and love that everything fits so well in the carrying case.

JENNIFER W.

2020-10-20T08:13:39

Built well and working well so far. As expected, Profoto has always been the gold standard in my 15 year career. Only downside with Profoto is the price, particularly for the accessories. Hopefully the reliability and longevity will make the investment worth it.

Mike V.

2019-02-22T14:53:38

i've been renting profoto lights for years and finally took the plunge to purchase a set of my own. they're everything i expected! very fast recycling time, easy to adjust and maneuver, and perfect output! highly recommended.

ASHLEIGH R.

2018-02-27T07:25:16

Bought 4 of these and 1 was DOA when received. After working with these lights, in a studio, for a year and a half, some things that are nice, like the remote, but these things go through model lamps once a month. Already had 3 heads blow up on me in a year, 2 within 2 days of each other. Profoto covered them under warranty, but i was out lights for several weeks. Luckily I have Normans and Speedotrons which have been reliable for me for 25, 30 years. Profoto's also don't tilt 180 degrees, so you can't bounce off the ceiling. I'm BUMMED!

MIKE I.

2016-12-29T09:44:14

I picked the D1 because I do not require some of the advanced features of the D2 and the savings add up when you are buying 2-3 moonlights. I chose the monolight over the Acute pack and head system because the 500 is nearly the same weight and almost as small as the Acute / D4 head (certainly with the reflector on the Acute head) and will work with all the same modifiers and mountings I have. It handles well enough on an extension arm or a mini boom. I have access to a bigger pack and head system if I ever need it to light a whole room or a complex outdoor set - for me the choice was how to supplement those lights that I really do not want to lug around. Two or 3 monolights are easier to travel with and set up & break down than 2 packs and 3 heads. For portraiture 500 watt seconds out of a key light w even through a double baffled soft box is more than enough. The ability to use digital controls and dial in power to 1/10 increments is also important when you are trying to balance key and fill light precisely. Once you get used to working this way going back to rocker switches and variators gets slow and somewhat prove to error. There remain some advantages to a pack & head system and many people will see a need for both kinds of lighting…in theory the packs can work harder all day…but the D1s seem to go for hours at a very fast clip. The monolights can handle 90% of what most photographers encounter…and all of what I do. The D1 can be fitted with a frosted dome for soft box positioning - a benefit which can be seen. I looked at some other brands of monolights…this seems like the best built, most compact one I could find. This light works well with the 5ft octa and the L and XL deep umbrellas and I have been told it will work well with the newer inverse mounted Profoto Giants. It mates beautifully to the Chimera octas and rectangular boxes. It also mates well to Rotalux boxes with a Rotalux to Profoto speed ring. The Elinchrom gizmo that attaches Profoto heads to the older style inverse mounted Elinchroms (150 cm & 190 cm ) is a weak point, but both Elinchrom and Profoto have moved on to newer designs.

Mark G.

2016-08-09T09:46:43

I haven't used this product much yet but so far so good

Andrea C.

2016-07-12T09:36:52

My 2400 Profoto Acute pack just died nearly 20 years later! Needless to say, I will be a customer for life. My kit just arrived so I am not in a place to critique the product just yet. I chose this product because I shoot in a variety of locations both in and outside. With the addition of a small portable lithium battery, I can easily hybrid the mono-heads to suit my outdoor location needs. I have a feeling I will be purchasing several more heads in the future.

Lisa S.

2016-02-27T18:29:54

This kit is simply one of the best things Profoto has to offer, this is your first pro step. I bought two of these kits and for more than two years I’ve been using them for product photography. Since I own Profoto I no longer consider another brand for lighting. The monolights are powerful, consistent and beautiful. The controls are precise and with the air remote you can adjust your values wherever you are. Recycling times are fast and color temperature is always reliable. The only thing I would improve is the sound the fan produce. Umbrellas are basic, for a “starter” kit. Stands are basic too, but at least they have a safety system that slows down the weight in case of an accident by a loose knob. The bag is nice looking and safe, ideal for transportation.

Juan S.

2016-02-27T15:00:16

I had to save a lot to buy Profoto but the wait was worth it. I have four D1 Air 1000W/s for almost two and a half years and they are simply the best monolights you can buy. I researched a lot before deciding for Profoto and I have no regrets, it’s a brand easy to love because it’s quality. This monolights are powerful, consistent and a delight to the eyes. The controls are precise and with the air remote you can adjust your values wherever you are. Recycling times are fast and color temperature is always reliable. The only thing I would improve is the sound the fan produce, but I mostly work with loud music in the background, so that’s in not a problem to me. I use the D1 Air 1000W/s in studio for product photography mostly, I started with the monolights, now I have some light shaping tools and other accessories, but that feeling of always want more Profoto products will never leave.

Juan S.

2014-09-15T21:00:00

This is a great setup for a range of uses. Most importantly (for me), it works in both the US + UK. Reliable, easy to set up and use.

Daniella Z.

2014-01-28T19:00:00

I've been holding off on buying these, but it was time to upgrade from speedlites for my studio work. I was not disappointed. These are great strobes, and I will be adding at least two more in the future. Purchased the beauty dish and dome diffuser and my portraits are beautiful. If you've been hesititating don't wait. This is a good buy.

MICHAEL T.

2013-06-25T21:00:00

Wow. People who have made this kit must be really clever. Everything fits in the bag, total weight is exactly 24kg, the exact weight and dimensions to be allowed in a plane. You have everything in one bag to do any kind of shooting, anywhere, anytime.

jimtherunner12

2012-08-26T21:00:00

This was an investment, but absolutely worth it. The kit is compact and easy to assemble. The light is a perfect tone. The stands are okay for smaller lightboxes. You'd definitely need sandbags for any softbox larger than 3'x4'

Amie

2012-03-25T21:00:00

OK, so you get a great light however, the stands are very flimsy and one foot did not have a plug. This lead to floor scratches. Also, this was the second kit I purchased. The first had to be returned because one light was broken. So in all for the money you get a good light but....for the money I'd expect better quality build all around.

MILAS S.

2012-02-18T19:00:00

SO SAD!! I spent top dollar for quality lights and when I went to use them for the first time, one of the bulbs was burnt/broken. I went to test fire it and nothing, just a click. So sad! Now I have to go back and exchange it for a new one. So PO'd

MILAS S.

2011-09-03T21:00:00

They clean crisp and consistantly brilliant. Recycle time are through the roof. Love putting them up at vb and bb games to stop the action.

steve p.

2011-01-11T19:00:00

I've primarily been a speedlight shooter more because of portability and easy setup. I'd used plenty of different strobs, but these aren't just strobes. Easy to set and reset with plenty of power to over the power the sun or shoot at a much shallower depth of field.

Jeffrey M.

2010-05-03T21:00:00

I had read alot of reviews about this these lights on other sites. The main con I had read was the stands were to flimsey and people should buy new stands for them. After seeting the lights up with softboxes I found the stands were just fine, no reason to get new ones. The stands are light weight, but they hold the lights just fine and they do not appear flimsey. Overall great product and I would buy it again.

Jeff P.

2010-04-08T21:00:00

What can i say about the D1 system by Profoto the lighting works great id say its on of the best systems out there, a bit pricey but in the long run well worth the money!

joseph b.

2010-02-22T19:00:00

I have used this light system and couldn't ask for anything better!

KC