【Product teardown】Profoto A1 circular flash head teardown
The long-awaited Protofo A1 was delivered to our office. We immediately opened
the box for research. We are most interested in how the zoom head and modeling
light actually do zoom.
The Profoto A1 come with a circular flash head. We are going to open the flash
head to find out how it produce a circular light. (c1x2)
Profoto A1 circular flash head teardown
Author: holidaydriver | Issued on: 2021-10-11 | Updated on: 2023-09-22
Let's take a closer look at the beautiful Fresnel lens of the flash head. Two
high-power LEDs for modeling lights are integrated on the underside of the
Fresnel lens. As a smallest studio flash, the LED modeling light is one of the
amazing feature of the Profoto A1.
The BEAM ANGLE and intensity of the LED modeling lamp can be adjusted through
the menu setting.
Modeling light set at Minimum intensity.
Modeling light set at Maximum intensity.
Before removing the Fresnel lens for further research, I tried to zoom the
flash lamp back and forth manually by turning the zoom adjustment ring.
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The working principle of the zoom ring is the same as the zoom ring on the
camera.
The zoom ring can realize motorized zoom, allowing you to change the BEAM
ANGLE of the flash in real time. The flash lamp can zoom continuously and
smoothly through the zoom ring.
The Flash Lamp inside the flash head is moving backward.
The Flash Lamp inside the flash head is moving forward.
Important Notice
This article is written solely for the purpose of understanding product design and conducting technological research. It is not recommended for the general public to disassemble items for study without expert guidance. Item structures may contain sharp edges or burrs, and improper handling may result in bodily injury.
Disclaimer
This article is intended solely for personal needs and educational purposes, sharing experiences and practical processes. It is for reference only by individuals with technical expertise and experience. Readers unfamiliar with the item's structure, lacking technical skills or experience should not attempt to replicate this process. If necessary, consult a professional or manufacturer for assistance.
Teardown of Flash Head
By removing the 4 screws on the metal ring. The Fresnel lens can be removed.
The flash and LED modeling light can be seen in the white Lampshade.
Although the flash head is round, the flash tube used in the flash head is
straight.
The optical design pattern on the back of the Fresnel lens is so beautiful and
complicated like an art. It is used to convert and spread the straight light
into circular light.
The high-gloss polished lens of the LED modeling lamp is molded on the Fresnel
lens. It requires advanced molding technology to achieve such a high optical
and injection quality.
Flash lamp of Profoto A1
The flash lamp unit in the white Lampshade. We found that Profoto A1 uses an
olive-shaped reflector, which is very special. The color and transparency of
the quartz glass windows also look unusual.
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It seems that Profoto engineers have spent a lot of time and effort to
design and realize this extraordinary round flash head.
Hot shoe of Profoto A1
Finally, I want to share some photos of the die-cast metal hot shoe used by
Profoto A1 for Canon systems.
Most flashes face the problem of loose hot shoe after use. Profoto A1
provides a permanent solution to this problem by implementing a die-cast
metal hot shoe. The thickness of the hot shoe is thicker, so more thread
engagement of the screw can be achieved. You can't even see the screw holes
under the hotshoe. The die-cast hot shoe is made from a single piece of
metal.
I didn't study the hot shoe design further because I do not want to
dismantle the control unit.
Thank you for watching.
Author Profile
The author of this article, holidaydriver, is a product design engineer with decades of experience. Proficient in operating various tools and machinery, he is well-versed in industrial safety protocols. His work frequently involves disassembling products for research, analyzing structures and materials for design reference, and he is familiar with safety standards for children's toys, electronic products, and automotive accessories. Outside of work, he enjoys DIY assembly, maintenance, and repair of household items, electronic products, appliances, and computer peripherals.
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