Light Ignition Provides Alternative Profoto Reflectors

Light Ignition Magnum clone and the original Profoto Magnum Reflector

Profoto lighting equipment has always garnered the respect of professional photographers worldwide for the quality of their studio lighting equipment and their modifiers. That high respect also commands high prices for their equipment. The Profoto Magnum Reflector retails at B&H Photo for $327. The Magnum reflector is actually known to increase light output by approximately one full f/stop. When using comparatively lower powered, albeit lighter and more portable, lights such as the new Profoto B2, the use of the Magnum Reflector is a great accessory making it easier to overpower the sun. The extra stop of power means the diminutive B2 becomes equal in output to its bigger, heavier, and more powerful brother, the B1.  Of course, the Magnum Reflector is a perfect complement to the B1 as well!  Light Ignition, distributed through Ebay by a Chinese company, sells a reflector for Profoto studio lights that by no mistake is a clone of the venerable original Profoto Magnum, yet at a much lower cost of approximately $215 shipped.  I had to try it myself.  As you can see in the above photo, the modifiers are nearly identical. Fit and finish is very similar, with the edge being given to Profoto. The original Magnum feels just a tad heavier, though both seem to be well made from metal. The original Magnum has a better lip as can be seen in the photo.

Inside view of both reflectors.

Reflector mount view

The rubber mount of the Profoto Magnum is softer and more pliable. The Light Ignition rubber is noticeably firmer though it may soften with use. As you can see in the photo, the Light Ignition mount is not as concentric as the Profoto Magnum. The stiffness of the Light Ignition mount made it slightly more difficult to install on my Profoto B1 light.  The insides of the reflectors are nearly identical.  I tested each reflector using a Profoto B1 with the frosted glass dome and with the standard flat frosted glass plate. Although designed to be used with the optional glass dome, an increase in power by approximately a full stop was still noted with the standard frosted plate glass cover over the B1 tube.  Quality of light may be better with the optional glass dome in place. Unfortunately the glass dome is available only for the B1 and not the B2. Regardless, I have noted an increase in output of one full stop using the Magnum reflector with the Profoto B2. In this comparison, each reflector was set at approximately position 6 on the B1. From a distance of approximately twelve feet, I measured f/22 at 1/125th, ISO100. The Profoto Magnum measured about 1/10 of a stop higher output than the Light Ignition reflector, and certainly well within the margin of error of this informal test to be a wash. Both reflectors also work well with Honeygrids. The Light Ignition Magnum clone Profoto rubber mount is probably its only shortcoming, though that may get better with use. I find that the Light Ignition reflector does what it is supposed to and provides a suitable alternative to its more expensive brother.  www.kendoophotography.com

As also stated elsewhere in this blog, no compensation has been received by distributors/manufacturers of equipment that I may review. Sometimes I like it, buy it, and share my experiences with fellow professional photographers.  ken