Profoto

Profoto 103001 Sync Cable Black 5 Meter

Name: Profoto 103001 Sync Cable Black 5 Meter
Brand: Profoto
SKU: 103001

Lock in perfect flash sync from 16 feet away — the Profoto 103001 keeps your strobe and camera talking without a missed frame.

$63.97*

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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Profoto 103001 Sync Cable is a straightforward tool that solves a specific studio problem: getting a guaranteed hard-wired trigger signal from camera to strobe without relying on radio frequency, batteries, or line-of-sight. At 5 meters (16 feet), it gives you enough reach to position your light off-axis, on a boom above your subject, or across a standard studio bay while keeping the camera in a workable shooting position. For photographers who run high-volume studio work — product photography, portraiture, tethered commercial shoots — the predictability of a wired connection is worth the cable management trade-off.

Construction is consistent with Profoto's professional accessories line — the connectors are solid, the cable sheathing is durable enough for daily coil-and-uncoil use, and the black finish is unobtrusive on set. The hard-wired PC sync connection means you're operating at your camera's native sync speed without HSS complications or the occasional missed frame that plagues budget wireless triggers. It's not glamorous gear, but a sync cable that works every single time is infrastructure — and infrastructure that fails mid-session costs you more than the cable is worth.

Key Features

5 meter (16 feet) hard-wired connection between strobe and camera.

Specifications

Model

103001

Length

5 meters (16 feet)

Connection Type

Hard-wired PC sync

Color

Black

Brand

Profoto

Compatibility

Profoto strobes and cameras with PC sync port

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

Wired sync eliminates misfires in RF-congested venues like convention halls or event spaces where wireless triggers struggle.
Wired sync eliminates the misfires and battery dependency that come with wireless triggers, giving you consistent frame-accurate flash sync in the studio.
At 5 meters, the cable provides enough reach for most single-light studio configurations without requiring an extension.
Full 5-meter length lets you position the camera at working distance without straining the cable or restricting movement around the set.
Hard-wired connection is ideal for tethered studio sessions where eliminating every variable in the sync chain matters.
Hard-wired connection removes sync delay variables, which matters when shooting at the camera's maximum sync speed.
Profoto build quality means the connectors and cable sheathing hold up to repeated coiling, transport, and daily studio use.
No batteries to swap, no channels to coordinate — plug in and shoot with zero setup overhead.

👎 Cons

The cable creates a physical tether between camera and strobe, limiting movement on dynamic shoots with fast subject repositioning.
5 meters of cable on a working set is a genuine tripping hazard that requires active management — gaffing tape or cable runs become part of your setup workflow.
Restricts camera-to-subject mobility compared to wireless, making it unsuitable for shoots where the photographer needs to move around freely.
At 5 meters, the cable can become a trip hazard on busy sets — requires active cable management with tape or clip routes.
No locking connector mechanism means an accidental yank can pull the cable free mid-shoot without warning.
Requires a PC sync port on the camera body, which many modern mirrorless cameras don't have without an additional hot shoe adapter.
A single cable is a single point of failure — without a backup, a damaged connector mid-shoot stops the whole session.
Useful only when camera and strobe are in relatively fixed positions; impractical for walk-around event or portrait work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What connectors does the Profoto 103001 use at each end?

The cable uses a standard 3.5mm (1/8") mini-jack sync connector, compatible with most camera PC sync ports via adapter and standard Profoto strobe sync inputs. Check your camera body for the sync port type before ordering.

What camera and strobe connections does the Profoto 103001 use at each end?

The cable uses a standard PC sync connector on the camera end and a compatible connector for Profoto strobes. Before purchasing, confirm your camera body has a PC sync port — many modern DSLRs and mirrorless bodies omit it, requiring a hot shoe PC adapter.

At 5 meters, is this cable long enough for most studio setups?

For single-light studio work, 5 meters (16 feet) covers the majority of setups — a key light on a boom, a background light at distance, or a beauty dish positioned above the subject. For multi-light runs where the camera is at the far edge of the room, you may find yourself at the cable's limit.

Is 5 meters enough cable for a typical studio setup?

For most studio configurations — camera on a tripod 3–4 meters from a key light — 5 meters (about 16 feet) gives you comfortable slack without creating a trip hazard. For larger sets or when shooting from a raised position, you may want a longer run.

Can this cable replace a wireless trigger on location shoots?

It can, but with trade-offs. The wired connection eliminates any radio interference or sync delay, which is valuable in electrically noisy environments. On location, however, cable management becomes an active consideration — factor in foot traffic and subject movement before ditching the wireless trigger.

Does using this sync cable affect flash sync speed compared to wireless triggers?

A wired PC sync connection syncs reliably at your camera's maximum sync speed without the occasional misfires or HSS complications that wireless triggers can introduce. For controlled studio work where you're shooting at a fixed sync speed, this cable is more consistent than most entry-level wireless options.

Can this cable cause camera damage if connected incorrectly?

PC sync ports carry a very low-voltage signal, so connection risk is minimal. That said, confirm your strobe's sync voltage is compatible with your specific camera body — some older studio strobes have higher sync voltages that can damage sensitive modern electronics.

Does the cable introduce any sync delay compared to wireless triggers?

No. A hard-wired sync connection is essentially instantaneous — signal travels at the speed of electricity through copper, which is faster and more consistent than any radio trigger. This makes it ideal for high-speed sync testing or precise flash timing work.

Is this cable compatible with non-Profoto strobes?

The sync signal itself is a standard low-voltage pulse, so it will work with many non-Profoto units that accept a PC sync or 3.5mm sync input. That said, Profoto makes no official compatibility guarantees outside their own ecosystem — test before committing to it on a paid shoot.

Is this cable suitable for location shoots, or is it primarily a studio tool?

It works on location, but 5 meters of cable on set creates a real tripping hazard and restricts camera mobility significantly. Most photographers use this cable for controlled studio work and switch to wireless triggers when shooting outdoors or in environments where movement is unpredictable.