Guide to Using Profoto Air Remote TTL-S on Sony a7R III

Published: February 20, 2018

Profoto Air Remote TTL-S on Sony a7R III

Profoto Air Remote TTL-S (order here) is compatible right out of the box with Sony a7R III (FW 1.00 or later), however Sony a7R III requires a slightly different set-up from previous Sony mirrorless cameras.
In order to use Profoto Air Remote TTL-S on Sony a7R III, you must:

    Set ‘Silent Shooting’ Mode to Off (this is true of all Sony cameras with Silent Shooting Mode)
    MENU > Camera Settings 2 > Shutter/Steadyshot > Silent Shooting > Off

    Set Wireless Flash to On (this is new on a7R III)
    MENU > Camera Settings 1 > Flash > Wireless Flash > On

Unlike other supported Sony cameras, ‘Wireless’ is it’s own setting independent of Flash Mode on a7R III which allows Air Remote TTL-S to support not only Fill-flash flash mode – but also Slow Sync or Rear Sync (up to 1/250 shutter speed).

When a7R III Flash mode is set in Fill-flash and Air Remote TTL-S will auto-select normal flash sync up to 1/250 and change to High Speed Sync at shutter speeds from 1/320 to 1/8000.

[Please Note: HSS only uses a portion of the flash output. For full flash output shoot at 1/250 or slower]

Air Remote TTL-S Features:

• Attach to your camera’s hot shoe to wirelessly connect camera and AirTTL light into one.
• Shoot in TTL Mode for fully automatic point-and-shoot shots.
• Shoot in HSS Mode to shape light in broad daylight.
• Switch from TTL Mode to Manual Mode with the automated TTL settings intact – a huge time saver.
• Sync and manually control any Profoto light that is compatible with Air.
• Intuitive and easy to use user interface.
• Long operating range of up to 300 m (1,000 ft).
• 8 digital channels.
• Controls up to 3 groups of lights on each channel.
• USB port for firmware upgrades.
• Approved for worldwide use.

Air Remote TTL-S Supported Camera Models:

Sony a6500, a7 II, a7R II, a7S II, a7R III, a9, a99 II

Air Remote TTL-S Supported Flashes:

Profoto A1 AirTTL, Profoto B1 AirTTL, Profoto B1X AirTTL, Profoto B2 AirTTL, Profoto D2 AirTTL

Updating Profoto Air Remote TTL-S & AirTTL Flash Firmware:

Make sure you have the latest firmware on your Air Remote TTL-S and Profoto Flashes:
https://profoto.com/my-profoto

Order Sony a7R III from B&H Photo | Amazon | Sony
Order Profoto Air Remote TTL-S from B&H Photo | Amazon

Apply for B&H Photo Payboo Card

Thank you for supporting this website through purchases from our affiliate partners! We always strive to bring you the best deals and lowest prices.

Sony-Alpha-1-II-FE-28-70mm-F2-GM

Sony Alpha 1 II and FE 28-70mm F2 GM Available for Pre-Order NOW!

Published: November 20, 2024 The new Sony Alpha 1 II and FE 28-70mm f/2 GM Lens are Available for Pre-Order NOW! Order Sony Alpha 1

Read More »

Sony Alpha 1 II Livestream NOON EST TODAY!

Published: November 20, 2024 TUNE IN at NOON EST TODAY for a Live Panel Discussion about the new Sony Alpha 1 II. I’ll join my

Read More »
Sony-FE-28-70-F2-GM-Canon-RF-L

Tale-of-the-Tape: Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM -vs- Canon RF 28-70mm F2 L Lenses

Published: November 19, 2024 With the announcement of the Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM lens, here’s how the specs compare with the Canon RF 28-70mm

Read More »

39 thoughts on “Guide to Using Profoto Air Remote TTL-S on Sony a7R III”

  1. Thanks, Brian! Will you confirm, that Sony A7RIII cooperate at TTL settings properly with Profoto Air Remote and A1 strobes (Canon)

  2. Thank you! Need your help: Have a Sony a7r3 a Profoto TTL-S Trigger and a Profoto B1. Everything with updated Firmware. I can trigger, change Power, but TTL and HSS don`t work. WL Flash is on…. Silent Shutter is OFF

    1. That combination totally works with current firmware. Do you have the Wireless Flash Setting turned On?

      MENU > Camera Settings 1 > Flash > Wireless Flash > On

      1. Yes. I Also tried it with a different Camera. I think my Trigger is broken. I sent it back today. Thanks for your help!

  3. Brian, I have not been able to get my B2 to work with my TTL-S while the Sony A9 or A7Riii is in Auto mode. But it will work in any other mode with wirless ON – any idea what I would need to do in order to get the B2 to work on Sony while shooting in AUTO mode?

    1. It’s not meant to work in full Auto Mode, Coach.

      Auto Mode controls too many setting including Auto ISO AKA “ISO Surprise”.

      Random ISO won’t work. You need to select the ISO. I always recommend the native ISO of 100 when shooting with flash but you can go higher if needed.

      As for shooting mode, I always select Manual with flash, but Shutter Priority is another good choice. Just don’t go full AUTO.

  4. Hey Sony friends, I’m having a problem with A7r lll and Air Remote TTL-S not working in HSS mode. I’ve got Silent shooting “OFF” and Wireless Flash “ON”. I’ve noticed that the flash icon on the Sony LCD isn’t visible when I have the TTL-S mounted and “ON”. My only guess is a Multi-interface hot-shoe malfunction. Emailed Profoto over a week ago and no response.

    https://youtu.be/mfNFVYHRJD0

  5. Thanks Brian. I’m running latest “A3” on TTL-S and latest 1.10 on A7R3. I’ve done a reset on the TTL-S but to no avail. I haven’t tried resetting my camera but I doubt that will help. I’m assuming its bad hot-shoe on my Sony body. Any other ideas are welcome. Thanks

    1. If you live near a Best Buy or other Sony retailer you can easily trouble-shoot that by putting a Sony flash in the hotshoe. If it fires there’s not problem with the MI shoe. If it doesn’t then you know that’s the issue.

  6. Hey Brian! I appreciate the article, and wondered if you had an idea about my situation.

    I pre-ordered the a7riii, and have been using it quite happily with my B2s…no issues. Well, not until last month. At the end of a shoot, my B2 heads turned into disco strobes, clicking and flashing at incredible speeds It started out of nowhere. The only way to stop it was to take the TTL-S off the camera.

    Since then, I have used the combination successfully, and honestly I’d forgotten the weirdness that happened at the end of that one shoot.

    Well, last night I had a session, and as I set up for it, I found the same issue. Mad firing of the B2s no matter what I tried in camera settings, TTL-S settings, B2TTL-Air settings…

    So, I updated the firmware on everything, including the a7riii. Same problem! Wireless flash is ON. Silent mode is OFF. I’ve tried different channels. I’ve changed all kinds of settings and gone through everything in the menu trying to find the potential culprit. I rescheduled the session.

    I tried the TTL-S on my a6500, and had the same issues. The heads start firing at 10 flashed per second as soon as the TTL-S is mounted.

    I did find ONE thing, though. If I sneak the TTL-S onto the hot shoe of the a7riii so that it is not QUITE all the way mounted, everything works.

    Any ideas?

    THANKS!

    1. I’ve not seen that, but it’s possible that might happen if you have a bent pin on the trigger. You should contact Profoto about your TTL-S and ask them check it out.

  7. I have a brand new, not used Ikelite DS161 strobe and both Sony a7RIII and Sony a9. All mounted from the import dealer in Sweden (SCUBA)- the Sony a7RIII is set up with wireless flash and Flash mode-fill flash. Other camera setting: 1/100 and F8.0, iso 400. The Ikelite strobe is set on -ON- and TTL. Both cameras tried with same settings, noe light from the strobe. Why? I am working with split-pictures this summer.

  8. Hi Brian,

    I’m reading that it’s possible to fire the A1 (Canon) directly from the Sony a9/a7III/a7RIII hotshoe, when you active the Profoto’s “X-Sync” mode. From what I found on Profoto’s site, activating X-Sync disables all communication except the sync signal (middle prong), causing the flash to go into manual mode.

    Have you tried this method? I’m tempted to rent an A1 to test this on my a7RIII. Don’t want to fry my camera (or does that even happen anymore), but it almost seems worth it to try!

    Regards,
    Josh

  9. Hi Brian …If you were to shoot a sport scene, sprinter or Crossfit to catch the movement .

    Hss query

    Using b2 ,a7riii …. do you have a starting point you recommend for settings and power level? Should it be on 10

    Focus mode on continuous and track till spot you want to capture?

    Cheers

    Jon

    1. For HSS with Profoto B2 you’ll want to have the power output set to 7 or lower depending on the FPS and number of continuous frames you plan to shoot in a burst.

  10. The A9ii is not listed as a compatible camera on Profoto’s website. Have you tried the A9ii with either the Air Remote or A1X flash? It does list the new A7RIV and the original A9.

  11. Brian,
    love your articles! I have a problem with my Sync 1st not showing up on my air TTL-S there for my sony a7Riii wont shoot HSS

      1. I have updated the firmware, but yet on the Sync line item on the control still nothing displays =(

        1. If BOTH the camera and AirRemote Firmware are up to date, then it’s one of two things.

          1. The TTL-S is not making proper contact because a pin is damaged or it’s not pushed into place properly.

          2. It’s not actually a TTL-S but rather a TTL-C or TTL-N

  12. I am having the same problem. All gear is 100% up to date and only syncs at 200SS. There is no flash icon that pops up And doesn’t switch into hss. I’m shooting on the so y A7R4

    1. That means your TTL-S isn’t marking proper contact with the Sony Multi-terminal contacts. Make sure it’s firmly pushed in ALL the way.

  13. SO I am getting a message saying this accessory is not compatible by the device and cannot be used. Please verify the compatibility with the device.
    I have. an a9 and an a7iii and both are tell ing me the same… Both are all up to date and the camera is too. I now have a new message on the flash saying HEAD OFF with a strike through the flash symbol…. Im so frustrated!!! The power button is not flashing intermittently. Please help !!

  14. I am having that same “incompatibility” message that shows up on my screen, out of nowhere. All was working before. The other day I was able to somehow get it to work again when I changed the transmitter battery, but today it’s the same problem. No synching so I’m up a creek until I can figure this out. Any ideas?

    1. That’s probably either an issue with debris on the contacts of you multi-interface shoe or a bent contact pin on your Air Remote TTL-S. Thios is why you really, really want to keep the cover on each when not in use.

  15. I never even realized that cover was anything more than what came on your camera when purchased. That must be it as it worked fine on the loaner I had. Many thanks.

  16. Wow. Spot on fix for this. Thank you so much. My transformation to the Profoto side is beginning. I’m very excited.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *