The different Profoto Fresnels: Clic Fresnel VS Fresnel Small VS ProFresnel Spot

The Profoto brand offers three different Fresnels: the Clic Fresnel, the ProFresnel Spot, and the brand-new Fresnel Small, recently released in June 2024.

There’s a fresnel to suit every flash in the Profoto system, such as the ProHead, the A2, or the B10X.

In this article, discover the features and differences between each of Profoto’s Fresnel.

What is a Fresnel?

Let’s start by reminding ourselves what a Fresnel is. A Fresnel, or Fresnel lens, is a tool for shaping light.

Fresnels are easy to recognize. If you examine a Fresnel lens closely, you’ll notice concentric annular grooves on its surface. Each groove refracts light in a different way, but their combination forms and amplifies a single focused beam.

A Fresnel is therefore a light-shaping tool that forms and amplifies a beam uniformly over long distances.

This makes it an ideal light modifier for portrait photography, cinematographic effects and highlighting distant subjects.

Clic Fresnel

The Clic Fresnel is the smallest of Profoto’s Fresnel-type light modifiers. It is compatible with Profoto’s A-series flash units (such as the A2) as well as with the Clic system.

Like the other light modifiers in the Clic system, the Clic Fresnel is equipped with a magnetic mount that enables it to be attached to the front or rear of lamps, or stacked on top of another tool from the Clic system.

When used with the A2, the Clic Fresnel reduces the beam to a 34° angle, increasing light intensity at the center by around 1.7 f-stops.

The Fresnel Small

The Fresnel Small is Profoto’s smallest Fresnel lens, but despite its compactness, it’s just as impressive.

Equipped with a 200-millimeter Fresnel lens, it projects a sharp, precise beam of light, ideal for targeting lighting zones or creating cinematic effects.

Its integrated, adjustable iris offers greater control of light with precision and accuracy. By adjusting the iris, you can achieve balanced light from a distance or sharp contrasts.

What’s more, the Fresnel Small’s ventilated housing makes it ideal for everyday use.

An optional stand adapter is also available, enabling the Fresnel Small to be used with any Profoto lighting, and is particularly recommended for B10 series flash units.

This new Fresnel Small seems to have been specially designed to work with B10 series monolights and flashes.

The ProFresnel Spot

The ProFresnel Spot is the largest option in Profoto’s Fresnel range.

Equipped with a 300-millimeter Fresnel lens, it can be mounted on any Profoto head to create striking cinematic light.

The Fresnel features Profoto’s unique zoom function, offering greater control over beam angle. It also offers optional barn doors, with which you can cut and shape the light to achieve the desired effect for your images.

This Fresnel lens produces a typically cinematic light, with a directed, almost horizontal beam. Ideal for fashion and product photography, it can be used to create sophisticated, elegant lighting effects.

In our opinion, the ProFresnel Spot is particularly well-suited for use with the ProHead, in conjunction with the Pro-11, or with the Pro-D3. It’s ideal for professional use, thanks to its high power and design for everyday use on medium to large-scale productions.

What’s the difference between the Clic Fresnel, Fresnel Small and ProFresnel Spot?

The Fresnel lens is an essential tool for sculpting light and creating cinematic effects. Among the Fresnels offered by Profoto, each has a specific use and must be used with different Profoto lamps.

• The Clic Fresnel is suitable for use with A-series flash units, and is also compatible with the other light modifiers in the Clic system.
• The new Fresnel Small is particularly suitable for use with B10X and all other Profoto monobloc lamps.
• The larger, more imposing Pro Fresnel Spot is designed for the ProHead torch and can also be used with the Pro-D3, ideal for large-scale productions.