Canon EL-1 Speedlite

What the Flash! Anyone want to talk Canon new Speedlite EL-1.
All photographs printed on @Hahnemühle USA PhotoRag Pearl, thank you Carol Boss Hahnemühle for your support #PrintsMatter. Printed on @CanonUSA Pro1000 printer, profiled with X-Rite Photo & Video i1Profiler.
Rechargeable AA Batteries @MahaEnergy 2700 milliamp Pro are the best rechargeable I've used for Speedlites.
High-voltage External Batteries: @Lumedyne MegaCycler for the fastest recycle time. WARNING they can cause Speedlites to over heat. Bolt PP-500DR Dual-Outlet Power Pack with Removable Battery with two into one power cable.
Canon EL-1, 600EX II RT, 600EX RT, Speedlites, #EOSR5, #EOSR, #EOS5DMIV.
#EL1 #600EXRT #OCF #WhatTheFlash #SharetheLight #CanonUSA #TeamCanon #CanonCPS #SanDisk #SanDiskExtremeTeam #Westcott #Lighting #Strobist #CanonExplorerofLight
#canonphotography #bobanddawndavisphotography #bobanddawninthewild #speedlite #lighting

[@markparris5255]

Thank you

[@bobanddawndavis]

Thank you.

[@deanecohen1190]

Always good to watch Bob Davis, thanks for a great overview

[@bobanddawndavis]

Thank you.

[@ericcooper4557]

Informative and looking to get one of these flashes by the Summer of 2021

[@jamesconnelly393]

Enthusiastic video -- clear explanations. EL-1 is on the acquisitions list.

[@bobanddawndavis]

Thank you for the positive feedback.

[@EagleEye-MJG]

I thank you Canon, so much for FINALLY updating your wildly expensive speedlites with a proper Li-on battery system (and adding a modeling light)....like Godox did....and Profoto followed. I was wondering what year would it be for Canon to finally ditch those AA Batteries. Why you're charging $1,000 for such a late update is beyond my understanding though.

[@ThreeCeeProductions]

Thank you so much for this video. I have the EL-1 for weddings and events. I have dedicated lights for studio use. It has been great for quality of light and making photos look unique. When paired with the RF-28-70 that you used you will have a unique look to your work

[@bobanddawndavis]

Thank you.

[@Photoshopuzr]

I real in depth information video on the EL-1 allot of things I didn't know. Now this convinced me into getting this flash. I wasn't going to buy it, but with the sender being able to send information to the 600ex rt lineup is a plus for already owners of the rt system. So a big thanks for that. Seems like the 580's can also get the information as well. The price now makes sence for those stuff. And the modeling lamp can stay on, I though that was a gimmick but it's definitely good stuff. Looks like I'll be getting one of these.

[@DWS123]

Great review! Does the EL-1 work with the focus bracketing function on newer Canon R cameras?

[@billsstudio2528]

Have an R5 and two EL-1's and ST-E3-RTv2. Love em! You're the man when it comes to clear concise, accuracy with experience, Bob Davis is the place to visit. Thanks for the info! Can I use my EL-100 in groups?

[@bobanddawndavis]

Hi Bill, thank you for the kind words of encouragement. You have an excellent setup, and YES 👍 you can use the EL1 & STE3 RTv2 in groups and remember to activate Flash Exposure Memory to go from ETTL quickly to manual with the last flash exposure output locked in.

[@cerec69]

The print photo was amazing. The same shot without the flash would have been interesting to see the full effect of the flash.

[@BryanVukich]

Very tempting, I might have to pick one up. The only downside is that I won't be able to "cheat" and just outrun the flash if I want a quick ambient only frame.

[@ericcooper4557]

FINALLY I have this flash and can't wait to shoot with it at an event!

[@bobanddawndavis]

I've been using them since last September, and they’re outstanding. One of my most favorite features is flash exposure memory for all the groups.

[@tomKphotoFortCollins]

Thanks for this. This is a big step in the right direction but 'oh the sticker shock'. It needs to wear off a bit before I dive in.

[@stevemccarthy4713]

Thanks for the great review. I have 4 Canon 600 EX II-RT flashes and had purchased 4 Godox V1's as well as 2 AD300 Pro's. My intention was to replace the Canon units with the Godox. I like the round head, magnetic adapters and the fact that they can trigger the AD300's which I use outside when I need to light that wedding party in the mid day sun. I still have not sold the Canon units as the Godox still have not pushed me over the edge. While they have the lithium batteries that last all day and I find the menu system is easier for controlling off camera flash and the AD300's have great power, I have found issues. The Godox are not weather sealed like the Canon's are. The Canon's are built like tanks and a little smaller, but heavier. I never have a trigger issue with my off camera Canon flashes, but have had some issues with the Godox units going to sleep and not waking up, or a Profoto unit of another photographer being triggered by my V1's. One last thing though, is that the Canon units are nice and solid in the hotshoe. The V1's tend to be a little loose and move around some and that too has caused the occasional misfire. I was already to sell the Canons and their AA batteries and keep the Godox, then with the issues was thinking of keeping the Canons and selling the Godox. Now the EL-1 adds a new wrinkle to the equation. Do you find it powerful enough for using it outside for wedding party photos when competing with the sun? Do you think it is too big and heavy for that hotshoe? Finally, is it work the $1100? Thanks

[@shaungo1631]

Nice video, excellent combination of features and the real application of it. Is there anyway you can use the EL1 or the 600EX to trigger simple non Canon strobes? Canon seem to be omitting the PC sync on even pretty advanced cameras, like the R6, R and 6Ds. I use simple strobe to raise the overall light level, and create some shaping, using the PC sync to trigger (7D and 5D series) AND use the Canon Speedlights off camera for additional shaping with E-TTL. I really don't like those shoe that will split the E-TTL with PC jack. Bad positioning and don't trust them.

[@bobanddawndavis]

Not that I'm aware of.

[@kss9931]

Will this work with the newer R cameras with the new hot shoe like the R6 mkII? Is so, is an adapter required? Can you still use it with the canon offshore cord3 and a bracket?

[@AndreyKrepkih]

Thanks for your review! Does this flash work with the Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT?

[@bobanddawndavis]

Yes they are compatible, but they lack many of the advanced features of the updated EL1 like flash exposure memory.

[@koichiinaba7958]

Thx!!! tell about external terminal !!!!!!!!!

[@designandimage]

Great flash and review. Just wish they'd squeezed a little more light from it at full output. Same guide no. as the 600EX for a bigger, 34% heavier flash.

[@DrRussell]

That was the key piece of info I was looking for

[@DrRussell]

Thank you

[@shaungo1631]

This is the 3rd I am looking at this video, and learn something new and important every single time. ? ... will the facial detect ETTL work with older 7D2, 5DIV (using live view, dpaf) and M50 facial detect?

[@bobanddawndavis]

Good question, I'm not sure? This is a good question for Canon CPS

[@WilReiner]

just to clarify: with one EL-1 mounted to my camera as a 'sender' with the old 600EX-RT set up as receiver, can I make that old 600EX fire at the super low-power 1/8192 flash power? I'm asking about the original 600EX-RT version 1 since that's what I own.

[@bobanddawndavis]

Yes sir

[@Jb00007]

Thank you very much for uploading this kind of video information. Could you please tell us how to change the temperature of the model lamp ? Thank you! 5:54

[@bobanddawndavis]

Hello, thank you for your kind words. The color temperature and brightness settings are in the sub-menu personal functions.

[@HollywoodConnection-JAST]

So I just got my Canon EL-1 Speedlite...I bought a quantum turbo battery pack for it. Was that a mistake? I connected it to the Speedlite and it did not power on the Speedlite... Does the EL-1 Speedlite also need to have the battery inside it, too? even though it's connected to a flash battery pack? Thanks

[@bobanddawndavis]

Hi James, yes, you’re correct, you always need batteries inside the flash itself. Always have.

[@willcadena]

Big help! Buying!

[@bobanddawndavis]

Thank you, my fellow seeker of light 🔆

[@franksoos2937]

Thanks for your video - it was very helpful. I also have an EL-1. How is it possible to fire the speedlite via a sync cord? I am putting the flash on a camera that has a Nikon hot shoe configuration (I also have a Canon 1 DX III). Or, would it work on a Nikon hot shoe without frying the camera due to incompatible trigger voltage? Thanks.

[@bobanddawndavis]

First I would have ask, Why? The Canon EL1 show is configured to work on native Canon hot shoe. If the flash is in anything other than Canon it may or may not fire. The center pin is the flash fire signal. It may fire in manual mode only. There is a PC port on the side of the flash and with the proper PC sync cable you can connect to any camera and it will fire. Again only in manual mode and if not a Canon it must be not in the camera hot shoe

[@franksoos2937]

@@bobanddawndavis Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. The only reason I mentioned it is because I would like to mount the EL-1 on a Hasselblad X1D which uses a Nikon protocol hotshoe. I also own Canon gear which is the primary reason I have the EL-1. Just want to be able to use it occasionally on the Hasselblad when needed (in manual mode).

[@AdrianWilsonBridders1234]

I wonder if Canon will update the ST E3 Transmitter to have the same setup as this, I have one with my 4 600 EX RTs and it works great but would be nice to see, but what was Canon thinking over the price is beyond me?

[@bobanddawndavis]

Yes, Canon has an updated version of the STE3vII with the features of the EL-1, low flash output, Flash Exposure Memory, off-camera rear curtain sync.

[@gutenbird]

Do you need a receiver to use this off camera as the lone light or just a trigger?

[@bobanddawndavis]

Hello, good question, the radio receiver and transmitter are wireless radio at 2.4 gigahertz into each Speedlite. You can also use the STE3 Speeite transmitter as the sender. Yes, you do need a sender unit, flash or Sppedlite transmitter; set the off-camera Speedlite to receiver, make sure the channels are the same, and Pin number are the same. The system will show you a green confirmation light on both units indicating successful connection.

[@jamesvoigt1855]

Grip & cord for OCF? Work with 580EX? With Canon APSC (2005-2017)? Macrophoto? HHS?

[@bobanddawndavis]

Yes to all of your questions.

[@Jgilbert232]

I wonder if this can top the profoto a1 recycle time. (With and without a battery pack)

[@bobanddawndavis]

I have tested them side by side in the lighting lab and at events. They are so close I would say they recycle times are the same. The EL1 has the advantage over the Profoto A1X in battery life! I have to change the A1 batteries three times minimum and always have a set on charge, and that just during the reception, about 4 hours. The Canon EL1s I usually change the battery once for the entire wedding day.

[@ericcooper4557]

Bob one more question and that is I do have a BOLT PP-400 DR dual outlet batter pack (I believe it's the same one that you are using at the end of this video powering the Canon unit on the light stand.) Just to be sure, can I attach my BOLT battery pack to my Canon EL-1 with the rechargeable battery inside to power this flash unit?

[@bobanddawndavis]

YEs, and the default setting is to use the internal battery + the battery pack. Recycle times are insane!

[@ericcooper4557]

@@bobanddawndavis thank you again for the valuable information. So just hook them up and turn both the flash and power pack on right.

[@bobanddawndavis]

Yes

[@bobanddawndavis]

Bolt makes a two into one adapter cable that gives the full power of the battery to the EL1 it’s the best.

[@ericcooper4557]

@@bobanddawndavis Great and I did see that 2 into one adapter cable in this video.

[@fabeaux8623]

I'm just triple checking what im hearing. I can tell my 600's to output even less light even though they by themselves cant go below 1/256?

[@bobanddawndavis]

Yes. The EL-1, as the sender, provides the instructions wirelessly to the 600s in any group.

[@MegaRay68]

Bob!! Whats the printer that you are using? Even the paper please

[@bobanddawndavis]

Hi, I use the Canon Pro1000 and Hahnemühle PhotoRag Pearl paper.

[@forgewire]

Over 1K for 60Wt flash is crazy. You can buy Godox for the fraction of that price. Would mag grip fit that light?

[@bobanddawndavis]

Yes the MagMods fit, they’re tight, but work.

[@christophmuller830]

Hi, does the Canon EL-1 also have the problem with the R5, that the E-TTL metering is totally wrong, that is ~ -3 stops to dark, if your subject is closer than 1m to the camera? I currently have no Canon Flashes but the Profoto A1X. The Canon R has no problem. But the R5 only E-TTL meters correctly above 1m of subject distance. This is very annoying in product photography. I already reached out to Profoto, and the problem is known but they say they can do nothing about it, because they state that it would be Canon‘s fault.

[@bobanddawndavis]

I’ve been using the R5, R6, 1DXMIII, with the EL1s and they have been 100% more accurate in ETTL than any other Flash in combination with face detection.

[@DanielFazzari]

Thanks for sharing more details on this flash! So this can tell a 600EX to shoot below 1/128 power? That and the recycle time are very cool features!

[@bobanddawndavis]

Yes indeed the EL-1 can send the new low flash power instructions to the 600s. Insane recycle time!

[@forgewire]

You can set TTL -3 on 600EX for much lower power than 1/128

[@ericcooper4557]

You mentioned the Triangle of Light a few times during this video. Can you briefly break this down to me?

[@bobanddawndavis]

Search Google for Bob Davis Triangle of Light or Kelbyone for the Lighting Classes I have there.

[@vitabellabuffaloweddingpho6667]

I"m having serious issues with my EL-1 being able to be a receiver or sender mixed in with my 600 EXRT's ver 1. The radio links are constantly dropping somewhere between 60 sec - 5 min. HELP PLEASE!!! Canon CPS is stumped after a 2 hour call and multiple variability tests. I am so stumped and so are they.

[@bobanddawndavis]

Hi, I have not experienced this issue. I’ve used the EL1 with both 600EXRT & 600EXRTII. Have you called @CanonUSA technical services? They are extremely helpful and offer excellent customer support.

[@bobanddawndavis]

Oh, I reacted too soon, and read you have called Canon. There are many things that can cause signal interference. I would be able to walk you through all of the scenarios I’ve faced and how I’ve worked around them. This would have be a paid coaching session and would take one to two hours. Our mentor sessions are $250 per hour two hour minimum via scheduled Zoom sessions. Good luck

[@jhamm15]

Has anyone had issues with the 1.0.2 firmware update. Updated mine and initially the “UPDATE” screen was still flashing and ghosting in the background of the flash display. Took battery out and now there is a slight pulsing of the backlight when I go to change settings.

[@bobanddawndavis]

I have not updated to the new firmware.

[@jhamm15]

@@bobanddawndavis The flash appears to function fine, just has this strange pulsing in the screen. Kind of annoying and afraid to update other EL-1 I have. Thought someone else on here could chime in.

[@bobanddawndavis]

Call Canon Techical support they would be able to help you.

[@jhamm15]

@@bobanddawndavis There was nothing they could walk me through and told me to ship it to one of the service centers.

[@YegorKolosenko]

Сan i use LP-EL battery to power 5d ?

[@bobanddawndavis]

No, but you can use the same charger. The LP-EL is larger than the LP-E6

[@angelisone]

Can this do remote camera trigger like the 600EX series?

[@bobanddawndavis]

Yes, the EL-1 has all the features of the 600 plus the additional new features and improvements.

[@angelisone]

@@bobanddawndavis Kindly show us from the manual page that it can be done

[@bobanddawndavis]

You can easily look up the Canon EL1 Speedlite manual online and read all the details for yourself.

[@chiwong7943]

Nice flash but at $1099 and made in Malaysia it is overpriced. I will stick with my 600EX2.

[@mahdichavoushi5515]

I barely understood what you said

[@kfotoprm]

WHATS WITH THE LOOOOONG count down, at the start of this vid? What a load of BOLLOCKS!

[@bobanddawndavis]

This was a live video; the countdown allowed for people to join us.

[@kfotoprm]

@@bobanddawndavis Oh, I see. Thanks.

[@pal54321]

incredibly overpriced.