Profoto B1 and B2 Can Now Do ETTL with the Canon 5Ds/5Ds R

From Profoto:

Profoto releases a new firmware upgrade for the B1 and the B2 Off-Camera Flashes, adding workflow improvements and enabling TTL metering with the new Canon EOS 5DS.

September 30, 2015 – When launched in November 2013, the Profoto B1 was the world’s first off-camera flash to do TTL with both Canon and Nikon cameras. Earlier this year, the B1 was followed by the B2. The B2 is smaller and more portable than the B1, but offers the same TTL functionality as the B1.

The B1 and the B2, as well as the Air Remote TTL-C (for Canon) and the Air Remote TTL-N (for Nikon) that are needed to use the flashes in TTL Mode, operates on software that can be upgraded by the photographer themselves.

On September 30, Profoto will release the latest version of the firmware. The new upgrade brings a series of improvements, most noticeable is the one that enables TTL metering with the new Canon EOS 5DS and Canon EOS 5DS R.

Below is a list of all the improvements. The upgrade and the full release notes will be available from that day for registered users at www.profoto.com/myprofoto as of September 30.

Note that flashes as well as Air Remotes have to be upgraded for these new improvements to work.

Added AirTTL Compatibility With Canon EOS 5DS And EOS 5DS R
The problem with over-exposure that many experienced when using the new Canon models in TTL Mode is corrected with this new upgrade.

Improved Canon Integration for Faster Shooting in Manual Mode
The improvement is especially noticeable with fast cameras such as Canon EOS-1D-X. The improved integration also makes it possible to select TTL or Manual Mode in the camera menu. (This was previously only possible to do on the Profoto Air Remote itself.)

Option To Deactivate Auto Power-Off On All Units
Normally the B1 and the B2 shut down after 60 minutes of inactivity to save battery life. This automatic function can now be deactivated from the Air Remote, making it easy to set up the lights well before for a shoot and activate them later by a simple button press from the remote.

Improved Display Sleep Function On Air Remotes
In previous firmware versions the Air Remote display turned black after 30 seconds of inactivity. With this new upgrade the display dims down partially after 20 seconds but stays readable for another 100 seconds before turning black.

Minor Bugfixes
In addition the upgrades include over 15 minor fixes, making the system more stable and contributing to an even greater user experience.

B&H carries the Profoto B1 and B2 Off-Camera Flashes and Air Remote.