I think I’ve finally found the lighting equipment I’ve been looking for. I’ve tried many different things from speedlights to strobes. I’ve owned the Profoto Acute B2 for around 8 months now, and I am loving it. I mainly use the Profoto Acute B for weddings, but it really is a great light for all types of photos.
Profoto Acute B for Weddings
Let’s start with performance because that’s the main thing that matters. This light really delivers. There’s a two switch system to control the power, which is very simple and easy to use, and you can go from a very small amount of light to 600 watts of light. This allows you to use the flash in a variety of situations in weddings. You could use it for an exit and use it on the lowest or you could pump it up to overpower the sun for portraits. I haven’t tested out the battery, but I’ve never had it die on me. Recycle time is great. At the lower power levels, it is basically instant. I haven’t done it yet, but it could be used for something like the bouquet toss to fire off multiple shots. At the highest end, it might be around 2 seconds. Another big plus is my model has a built in Pocketwizard receiver. It’s really annoying to have a receiver dangling off of a light, so having it built in is one less thing for me to worry about. The whole system is built like a tank. The battery pack is metal but doesn’t weigh much and the cords are extremely thick, so it can all take a beating.
Another big plus is the amount of modifiers that can be used with it. I own one Profoto Octabox but the rest of my modifiers are off brand. The head has a whole for an umbrella, so really any umbrella should work with it. That’s the cheapest option. I also own the Westcott Rapidbox Octa and Impact Folding Beauty Dish. These two I’ve used the most for dramatic portraits, and they are awesome. They are quick to assemble and create some amazing light.
Right now I have mainly used the Profoto Acute B for portraits at weddings. I’ve used it for simple portraits of the bride with bridesmaids and then for something special like creating a dark, blue sky. Like I said earlier, I could really see this light being used throughout the entire day.
I have found myself bringing this light with me on all of my shoots lately, and I am extremely happy with it. I bought the Profoto Acute B for weddings, but it is a versatile photography tool that could be used for almost any situation. These are not being sold anymore in stores, but you can pick them up on eBay. They are still pretty expensive, but in my opinion, they are well worth it.
