Profoto Pro-B3: The ultimate on-location flash. What are the differences with the Pro-D3?

The new Profoto Pro-B3 is a battery-powered flash with 750 Ws of power. Profoto presents it as the ideal choice for sports photography, action scenes, as well as outdoor shooting in general.

With the launch of the Pro-B3, Profoto also announces the discontinuation of the B1X, which until now has been the flash best suited to the needs of outdoor photographers.

In this article, we review the key features of the new Pro-B3 and what the differences are with the Pro-D3, the studio flash Profoto launched in June 2024.

The Pro-B3 is presented by Profoto as a revolutionary battery-powered flash. It is designed to meet the demands of extreme sports and action photographers, enabling them to shoot in the most remote locations and under the most difficult conditions.

The Pro-B3 is available as a Single Kit or Duo Kit.

1. Fast and powerful flash

With its battery-powered 750 Ws, the Pro-B3 has more than enough power to create the image you want, wherever your work takes you. With a power range from 0.8 to 750 Ws (11 stops).

The Pro-B3 has the shortest flash duration in its class, down to 1/75,000 s, so you can capture sharp action without motion blur.

Thanks to its speed, action photographers can freeze the moment at any time. Add to this a fast recycling time of between 0.1 and 2.0 seconds, and you can be sure never to miss a shot.

Like most new Profoto flash units (such as the B10X and B1X), the Pro-B3 offers three modes: Eco (Normal), Boost and Freeze.

In standard ECO mode, flash settings are optimized to deliver the best color consistency and maximum unit life.

Boost mode offers a further increase in power, while Freeze mode provides the shortest flash duration, ideal for razor-sharp shots such as liquid splashes or fast-moving action.

2. Battery-powered flash for outdoor shooting

The Pro-B3 runs on a high-capacity Li-ion battery.

The battery can be recharged while the flash is in use.

When fully charged, the battery provides up to 250 flashes at full power, and up to 60 minutes of continuous lighting.

3. Pro-B3 quality and rugged design

With its new rugged, heavy-duty construction, the Pro-B3 is designed for outdoor use and extreme shooting conditions.

It features a reinforced rubber housing and durable key components, such as the capacitors and quartz flash tube, which are easily replaceable by the user.

The Pro-B3 comes complete with battery, charger, protective cap and Pro Monolight case for easy transport to your shooting location.

4. Limitless creativity with light modifiers

The Pro-B3 is compatible with Profoto’s wide range of light modifiers, giving photographers total creative freedom.

For example, it’s compatible with the new Profoto softboxes, Beauty Dishes, Magnum and Zoom Reflector, so you can let your imagination run wild and create professional images, wherever your shoot takes you.

5. Usage and user interface

The Pro-B3 flash features AirX connectivity, allowing complete wireless control via the Profoto remote control or the Profoto app.

Like all Profoto flash units, the Pro-B3 offers a simple and intuitive user experience, thanks in particular to its large and high-resolution display.

6. Pro-B3 VS Pro-D3: What are the differences?

High-volume production VS On-location shooting

The Pro-D3 is available in 750 Ws and 1250 Ws versions. Unlike the Pro-B3, which is designed for outdoor photography, the Pro-D3 is specially designed for continuous use in high-volume production environments.

Battery-powered flash VS mains-powered flash

A major difference between the Pro-D3 and Pro-B3 lies in their power supply: the Pro-D3 is mains-powered, while the Pro-B3 is battery-powered. This gives the Pro-B3 greater flexibility for on-location shooting.

Flash duration and recycling time: Pro-D3 VS Pro-B3

The flash duration of the Pro-D3 is 1/75,000 s, just like that of the Pro-B3. However, its recycling time is much faster, ranging from 0.01 to 0.05 seconds, compared with 0.1 to 2.0 seconds for the Pro-B3.

The new default mode, Eco (Normal), introduced with the Pro-D3, is also present on the Pro-B3. This mode optimizes color temperature consistency while maximizing equipment life.

Continuous light

The Pro-B3 also features a highly energy-efficient LED modelling lamp, which provides more intense light than a 400 W halogen lamp, while consuming only 15% of the energy.

This LED, identical to the one used in mains-powered Pro-D3 models, produces a fixed color temperature of 5,600°K, suitable for daylight. It diffuses light in a similar way to a flash, ensuring accurate, precise exposure for every shot.

The Pro-D3 has been designed for uninterrupted operation in high-volume production environments, with ultra-fast recycle time and extremely short flash duration.

In comparison, the Pro-B3, battery-powered, features a robust design that makes it perfect for outdoor shoots.

Pro-B3 VS Pro-D3: Technical features comparison