Multiblitz
Encyclopedia
Multiblitz is a German manufacturer of professional studio flashes and lighting accessories. The company was founded in 1948 in Cologne, Germany by inventor and entrepreneur Dr. D.A. Mannesmann and is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of state-of-the-art studio lighting.
, Germany
by inventor and entrepreneur Dr. D. A. Mannesmann. The first ever Multiblitz strobe and the first German electronic flash unit ever built was the Multiblitz Reporter I in 1948. Subsequent models like the REPORTER II or the PRESS UNIVERSAL were popular among press photographers in the 50's and 60's.
Since 1973, Multiblitz is managed by engineer and CEO Hans-Gerd Wulms and is one of the world’s leading companies for studio lighting among other European manufacturers like Bowens, Broncolor, Elinchrom
, Hensel
, and Profoto
. At the Photokina
1976, Multiblitz introduced the industry’s first compact studio flash the MINISTUDIO 202. Mutliblitz's 80s product line included PROFILITE and VARIOLITE studio flashes and MAGNOLITE generators followed by PROFILUX studio flashes in the 90s.
Multiblitz's headquarters and production facility is located in Cologne
, Germany
. In 2010, Multiblitz USA was founded, which is the companies first official North American headquarters and online store.
2010.
pack. It can be used with two PROFILUX PLUS monolights (max. output with 2 x PROFILUX PLUS 800 is 1600 Ws) and was introduced in 2009. The flash output and modeling light is completely controlled on the monolight itself. As specified by the manufacturer, the PROPAC 1 delivers up to 1400 flashes with one PROFILUX PLUS 200 unit at max. output, and the PROPAC 2 delivers up to 3200 flashes respectively.
Company Overview & History
Multiblitz was founded in 1948 in CologneCologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
by inventor and entrepreneur Dr. D. A. Mannesmann. The first ever Multiblitz strobe and the first German electronic flash unit ever built was the Multiblitz Reporter I in 1948. Subsequent models like the REPORTER II or the PRESS UNIVERSAL were popular among press photographers in the 50's and 60's.
Since 1973, Multiblitz is managed by engineer and CEO Hans-Gerd Wulms and is one of the world’s leading companies for studio lighting among other European manufacturers like Bowens, Broncolor, Elinchrom
Elinchrom
Elinca S.A. is a company based in Renens, Switzerland, which manufactures studio lighting systems under the brand name Elinchrom. Competitors include Bowens and Interfit.-Range:...
, Hensel
Hensel
Hensel is a surname and may refer to:* Abigail and Brittany Hensel * Albert Hensel* Bruce Hensel* Fanny Hensel, née Mendelssohn, , sister of Felix Mendelssohn and wife of Wilhelm Hensel* Karen Hensel...
, and Profoto
Profoto
Profoto is a photographic equipment maker that produces studio lighting systems mainly for photography purposes. In 2010, the company expanded its business into the movie/video lighting industry. Profoto was founded in 1968 by Eckhard Heine and Conny Dufgran...
. At the Photokina
Photokina
The photokina is the world's largest trade fair for the photographic and imaging industries. The first photokina was held in Cologne, Germany, in 1950, and it is now held biannually in September at the koelnmesse Trade Fair and Exhibition Centre...
1976, Multiblitz introduced the industry’s first compact studio flash the MINISTUDIO 202. Mutliblitz's 80s product line included PROFILITE and VARIOLITE studio flashes and MAGNOLITE generators followed by PROFILUX studio flashes in the 90s.
Multiblitz's headquarters and production facility is located in Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. In 2010, Multiblitz USA was founded, which is the companies first official North American headquarters and online store.
P-Type Bayonet
Multiblitz P-type bayonet units are generally smaller than the more powerful V-type bayonet models. Current P-type models are the entry-level COMPACT PLUS, the PROFILUX ECO (PROFILUX in North America), and the PROFILUX PLUS.| Product | Product Code | Year | Flash Energy | F-Stops | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMPACT PLUS | COMSTU | 2010 | 200 Ws | 5 | not available in the US |
| PROFILUX ECO 250 | LUXSTU 2 | 2010 | 250 Ws | 5 | named PROFILUX 250 in the US |
| PROFILUX ECO 500 | LUXSTU 5 | 2010 | 500 Ws | 5 | named PROFILUX 500 in the US |
| PROFILUX PLUS 200 | PROPLUS 2 | 2008 | 200 Ws | 7 | TIPA Award 2010 Best Flash System |
| PROFILUX PLUS 400 | PROPLUS 4 | 2008 | 400 Ws | 7 | TIPA Award 2010 Best Flash System |
| PROFILUX PLUS 800 | PROPLUS 8 | 2008 | 800 Ws | 8 | TIPA Award 2010 Best Flash System |
V-Type Bayonet
The more powerful Multiblitz studio flashes with larger bodies are equipped with the V-type bayonet. A new V-type bayonet model, the X-System (500, 1000, and 1500Ws), was announced at PhotokinaPhotokina
The photokina is the world's largest trade fair for the photographic and imaging industries. The first photokina was held in Cologne, Germany, in 1950, and it is now held biannually in September at the koelnmesse Trade Fair and Exhibition Centre...
2010.
| Product | Product Code | Year | Flash Energy | F-Stops | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X5 | X 5 | 2011 | 500 Ws | 10 | |
| X10 AC/DC | X 10 | 2011 | 1000 Ws | 10 | battery operateable with PROPAC battery packs |
| X15 | X 15 | 2011 | 1500 Ws | 10 |
Battery Packs
Multiblitz PROPAC is the companies first VRLA batteryVRLA battery
A VRLA battery is a type of low-maintenance lead–acid rechargeable battery. Because of their construction, VRLA batteries do not require regular addition of water to the cells....
pack. It can be used with two PROFILUX PLUS monolights (max. output with 2 x PROFILUX PLUS 800 is 1600 Ws) and was introduced in 2009. The flash output and modeling light is completely controlled on the monolight itself. As specified by the manufacturer, the PROPAC 1 delivers up to 1400 flashes with one PROFILUX PLUS 200 unit at max. output, and the PROPAC 2 delivers up to 3200 flashes respectively.
| Product | Product Code | Year | Flash Energy | # of Flashes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PROPAC 1 | PAC 1 | 2008 | 200 - 1600 Ws | up to 1400 | for use with PROFILUX PLUS & X10 AC/DC studio flashes |
| PROPAC 2 | PAC 2 | 2008 | 200 - 1600 Ws | up to 3200 | for use with PROFILUX PLUS & X10 AC/DC studio flashes |
Light Shapers
There are two different kinds of bayonet mounts on Multiblitz studio flashes. The smaller p-type bayonet and the larger v-type bayonet. The most common compatible units are:P-Type
- Minilite
- Profilite
- Profilite Compact
- Compactlite
- Digilite
- Profilux
- Profilux Plus
- Digi X
- Pro X
- Compact Plus
1940's, 1950's and 1960's
- Reporter I, 1948 -
- Reporter II L, - 1958
- Color II / II a, - 1958
- Multiblitz III b, - 1958
- Multiblitz Press Universal (PRUBA), 1958–1980
- Kompakt-Studio 270 (KO270), - 1971
- Kompakt-Studio 700 (KO700), - 1971
- Kompakt-Studio 700 BS (VA 700 BS), - 1972
- Kompakt-Studio 700 AW (VA 700 AW), - 1972
- Repro II (Repro/II), - 1974
- Repro II (Repro/II/138) , -1974
- Repro II (Repro/II/184), -1974
- Repro III (Repro/III), -1974
- Repro III (Repro/III/184), -1974
- Kompakt-Studio 702 (VAKRE), -1974
1970's
- Profi-Computer R 40 C (R 40 C), 1975–1977
- Profi-Computer R 42 C (R 42 C), 1975–1977
- R 40 (R 40 C), - 1975
- Kompakt-Studio 350 (VAKRa), - 1975
- Kompakt-Studio 350 (VA 350), 1975–1977
- Kompakt-Studio 702 (VA 702), 1975–1977
- Mini-Spot 200 (MIKRA), - 1975
- Mini-Spot 200 (MISPO), 1975–1983
- Junior, 1976–1983
- Report, 1976–1980
- Macrotron (MACRO), 1976–1980
- Macrotron 320 Ws (MACRO/320), 1976–1980
- Generator-Studio 1400 (VAGEN), 1976–1984
- Mini-Studio 202 (MISTU), 1977–1983
- Color Dia-Duplicator (DUPLI), 1977–1998
- Kompakt-Studio Vario 1000 (VA 1000), 1978–1986
- Kompakt-Studio Vario 500 (VA 500), 1978–1986
- Kompakt-Studio Vario 250 (VA 250), 1978–1986
1980's
- Profilite (PROSTU), 1980–1985
- Minilite (LISTU), 1982–1994
- Reprolite 200 (ROGEN-2), 1982–1992
- Reprolite 400 (ROGEN-1), 1982–1997
- Generator 1500 B (VA 1500), 1982–1985
- Mini-Studio 250-500 (MI 250-500), 1984–1992
- Variolite 250/500/1000/2000( RI 250/500/1000/2000), 1982–1988
- Varispot 250 (RISPO), 1986–1993
- Ministudio 252/402/802 (MI 252/402/802), 1988–1992
- Variolite 5/10/15/20 (RI 5/10/15/20), 1988–1991
- Magnolite 16/32/64 (MAGNO 16/32/64), 1987–1991
1990's
- Profilite Compact 300 (COMSTU 300), 1990–1994
- Variolite Generator 1600 (RIGEN 1600), 1991–1992
- Studiolite 500/1000/1500 (STU 500/1000/1500), 1991–1994
- Variolite Compact 300/600/900 (RA 300/600/900), 1992–1997
- Variolite Compact 1200/1800 (RA 1200/1800), 1993–1997
- Profilite Compact 400 (COMSTU 400), 1994–1998
- Magnolite 40/80 (MAGNO 40/80), 1994–2001
- Ministudio 303-S/606-S (MU 303-S/606-S), 1994–1997
- Profilite Compact 200 (FILSTU), 1994–1998
- Varilux 250/500/1000/1500 (LU 250/500/1000/1500), 1996–2003
- Varispot 500 (LUSPO), 1998–2009
- Compact/Digilite (ECOSTU), 1999–2008
- Profilux 200/400/600 (PROSTU 200/400/600), 1998–2010
2000's
- Magnolux 12/24/36 (MALUX 12/24/36), 2001–2010
- Digi X (IXSTU), 2002–2008
- Pro X (PROXSTU), 2002 -
- Xenolux 250/500/1000/1500 (XENO 250/500/1000/1500), 2003 - early 2010
- Compact Plus (COMSTU), 2008–2010
- Digi X new (IXSTU NEU), 2008–2011
- Profilux Plus 200/400/600/800 (PROPLUS 2/4/6/8), 2009 -
- ProPac 1/2 (PAC 1/2), 2009 -
2010's
- Profilux (ECO) 250/500 (LUXSTU 2/5), 2010 -
- Compact Plus 2nd (COMSTU 2ND), 2010 -
- Trigger Happy (TRIHAP), 2010 -
- X-System 5/10/15 (X 5/10/15), May 2011