The Profoto A2: Studio Lighting in the Palm of your Hand

Profoto has created a world where studio-quality lighting can be used virtually anywhere with the new, ultra-compact A2 Flash Head. Capable of producing 100Ws of power while taking up about as much space as a can of soda, the A2 can be easily handheld, mounted on a stand, or rigged in creative ways impossible with larger, heavier lights. Add compatibility with Profoto’s Clic light shaping tools and you have an incredibly versatile light source for location photographers of all stripes or studio photographers looking to add an extra splash of light to their setups.    

The A2 was made for peak portability. More powerful than an on-camera flash without the heft of a conventional studio light, it carves out a niche of its own as an everyday-carry strobe. Whether you are shooting a wedding reception or documenting street style, the A2 travels with ease. Including battery and stand adapter, it weighs 1.7 lb; alone it weighs just over 1 lb. The A2 measures just under 5 inches in length and 3.1 inches in diameter, so it fits easily into camera bag compartments made for housing medium-sized lenses or it can be stored in its included soft case, which can be carried by the handle or packed with the rest of your gear. With the A2, carrying a strobe takes about as much planning and space as carrying a lens. 

The A2 bridges the gap between Profoto’s portable A-series flashes and its more advanced B-series strobes. As such, photographers looking to upgrade their A10 Studio Light will appreciate that the A2 is powered by the same A-series battery, providing up to 400 full-power flashes per charge. Recycle times between 0.1 and 1.6 seconds ensure that you won’t miss a moment.

Borrowing further from Profoto’s A and B-series lights, the A2’s simplified interface features bright, easily legible settings on the rear of the light. The same rear control wheel and button design as the A10 are used for quick and intuitive on-unit adjustments.

Built-in AirX connectivity positions the A2 within the broader Profoto lighting ecosystem. TTL (AUTO) and High-Speed Sync (Hi-S) functionality are possible with compatible cameras and transmitters. The A2 pairs well with Profoto’s recently announced Connect Pro wireless transmitter or, for minimalist photographers, the Connect wireless transmitter. Communication with Profoto remotes is possible up to 1,000 feet under ideal conditions or 330 feet under standard conditions. Bluetooth control via the Profoto app is also possible up to 90 feet. Learn more about which transmitter is right for your workflow here.  

The stripped-down design and instinctive interface of the A2 is a major selling point, but this should not diminish its utility for more advanced productions. Studio photographers looking to integrate the A2 into multi-light setups can do so with ease and efficiency. The new light can operate within six Air channel groups over 100 channels, ensuring dependable performance even in the most complicated environments. Ten f-stops of control can be refined in 0.1-stop increments to get the exact amount of light necessary for your shot. For previewing setups or providing light for video recording in a pinch, a 5800K LED modeling light is included. 

The A2 features a built-in reflector and lens for smooth, natural light out of the box. A light stand adapter complete with umbrella socket is included to get you started. Further refinement is possible using Profoto’s Clic series of modifiers. The collapsible Clic Softbox Octa pairs exceptionally well with the new light, incorporating a grip that can be either handheld or mounted on a stand. 

Where does the A2 Fit in the Profoto Lineup? 

The dream of easily taking strobe lighting to the streets comes true with Profoto’s A2 Flash Head. More powerful than the A10 and more portable than the B10, it’s in a class all its own as an everyday-carry strobe. Simple yet powerful, this is a light with wide appeal across genres and experience levels. Whether you are just beginning to explore the world of strobe lighting or rounding out your existing collection, the A2 packs an impressive feature set into a remarkably portable package. 

Do you plan on adding the A2 to your camera bag? Share how you would use it in the Comments section, below.