X1D + Profoto A1 / no TTL with firmware c3

vidio · June 17, 2019, 05:49:13 AM

I received the B9 firmware thanks to a forum member but I cannot get it to work. I can install it but it bricks the flash. It won't turn on at all. So I had to reinstall C3 and then it is OK but without TTL. This is on a Mac. Wondering if anyone has been able to successfully downgrade to B9. Maybe I'm missing something.

mar-ko · June 17, 2019, 06:21:27 AM

I had a similar phenomenon when downgrading; I think I did not get a "completed" message when downgrading and the flash seemed "dead". I then removed the flash's battery and waited for some seconds, re-installed the battery, pressed the top right and the white button as instructed before a firmware update - and after that I could switch it on. (I have no clue if any of these steps were necessary, though.)

vidio · June 17, 2019, 06:48:13 AM

Just tried that with the Mac installer and it did not work. If I remove battery and do the buttons presses it then says "Firmware completed" but the flash will still not turn on. Are you on PC or Mac?

mar-ko · June 17, 2019, 06:59:28 AM

I did the downgrade on a Windows system, because I did not have the Mac firmware version at that time.

mar-ko · June 17, 2019, 07:23:23 AM

Did you try to remove the battery again after the "firmware completed" message?

vidio · June 17, 2019, 01:57:51 PM

I have tried now both on a Windows and Mac and have tried to remove the battery, etc. and the flash stays bricked unless I reinstall C3. Weird...
I shot some baseball players today and I really could have used the TTL function. Had to keep guessing and adjusting manually.

vidio · June 24, 2019, 07:33:14 AM

I finally was able to downgrade to firmware B9. I'm not sure exactly what I did different this time as I tried it at least a dozen times. But it was definitely a variation on the suggestion about removing the battery. I ran the B9 installer and it stops before completion. Then I took the battery off but kept the unit plugged in to USB. When I put the battery back on the software reported that the firmware was installed. However the unit would still not turn on. So I removed the battery again but kept the unit plugged into USB. This time I was able to then push the power button and it came to life. I was so thrilled. I was literally ready to buy a used unit on the assumption that it would have the older firmware but now do not have to.

I really hope Hasselblad and Profoto work this out as now I'm afraid that problems will aires with the other Profoto lights I own.

mar-ko · June 24, 2019, 07:35:30 AM

Excellent! I'm happy that it worked for you.

(By the way: I still have not heard back from Profoto Germany nor from Profoto Sweden.)

mar-ko · October 01, 2019, 11:14:49 AM

Hi all,

today, Profoto published firmware "C5" for the A1, but TTL (un-)functionality is the same as with the C3 on an X1D, so if you want TTL, stick with firmware B9 until Hasselblad finds a solution.

I can not say, if the C5 firmware for the A1 flash works with the X1D II .

soerekr · October 01, 2019, 08:42:16 PM

Thank you for verifying this. I received the Email but the release notes did not have much information so I decided not to upgrade the firmware of my A1.

hugenoot · October 02, 2019, 03:46:23 AM

Quote from: mar-ko on October 01, 2019, 11:14:49 AM

I can not say, if the C5 firmware for the A1 flash works with the X1D II .

Yes, with the X1D II TTL is working on the A1 and also with the C1 plus and the Profoto connect...

mar-ko · October 02, 2019, 04:47:55 AM

Quote from: hugenoot on October 02, 2019, 03:46:23 AM
Yes, with the X1D II TTL is working on the A1 and also with the C1 plus and the Profoto connect...

The A1 always works with "external" triggers.

Just to avoid misunderstandings:
Are you sure, that your A1 *with firmware c3 or c5* works *in TTL mode* when *mounted directly on the X1D II*?

Thanks, Marko

JCM-Photos · October 03, 2019, 08:57:19 AM

Today I went back to FW B9 that I had filed on my PC, it did go without problem.

I recovered TTL on my X1D without or with connect trigger.

Thank you for all explanations.

JCM-Photos · October 04, 2019, 07:30:56 PM

Did somebody notice as I did it that TTL exposure is different between A1 direct mount on the X1D and remote triggering via "Profoto connect" module ?

hugenoot · October 05, 2019, 02:31:50 AM

Quote from: mar-ko on October 02, 2019, 04:47:55 AM
Quote from: hugenoot on October 02, 2019, 03:46:23 AM
Yes, with the X1D II TTL is working on the A1 and also with the C1 plus and the Profoto connect...

The A1 always works with "external" triggers.

Just to avoid misunderstandings:
Are you sure, that your A1 *with firmware c3 or c5* works *in TTL mode* when *mounted directly on the X1D II*?

Thanks, Marko

Yes, I'm sure...