Comparing All Elinchrom Flash Units: ONE THREE FIVE ELC 500 & ELB 500 -Full Review & Recommendations

[@mrsnack3118]

I really hope elinchrom will keep the elb series. I prefer the concept of light head (also replaceable) and heavy battery with controls on the floor.

[@KevinRusso]

I also like pack systems especially when having to have to boom a light overhead,

[@YogueDaddy]

You are correct in guessing that the Transmitter Pro can actually control the 2 heads of the ELB 500 TTL independantly if the transmitter is updated to the latest firmware. However, the 2 heads will be in the same group and you can't change that. You also can't turn ON or OFF one of the head remotely using that method. There is a way to have the 2 heads remotely controllable with a transmitter and even put them in different groups that you can turn ON or OFF from the transmitter. The way to do this is to put the ELB 500 TTL in Phottix Odin mode. It's the only Elinchrom strobe that has this option. When you do that, you will need a Phottix Odin II transmitter updated to the latest firmware and you'll be able to control the unit as if they were 2 Phottix strobes and put them in 2 different groups. The Odin II system permits each of it's 5 groups to be ON or OFF and the mode on all of them to be different. One head in group A can be set to manual exposition and the second head in group B can be set to TTL, for example. Something to note is that while in Odin mode, the ELB 500 TTL will display its power settings in fractions (from 1/1 to 1/128) and will only be adjustable in thirds of a stop instead of the usual Elinchrom 1/10 of a stop adjustments. To my knowledge, this is the only real crossover feature that came out of the Elinchrom/Phottix partnership on the Elinchrom side. As for Phottix, they came out with the Phottix Juno TTL speedlite that only came out for Canon and was the only speedlite ever that could be triggered by the Elinchrom Skyport system. It could only be triggered in Skyport mode, though, and wasn't adjustable in terms of power. I think it's now discontinued.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks for clarifying things. I am sure this will be great information for many people. Since I shoot Canon I need to go research the Phottix Juno TTL!

[@JohnGress]

So I take it the Phottix Juno TTL can receive Skyport systems but it can't broadcast them?

[@YogueDaddy]

@@JohnGress Exactly. It is able to receive the signal. You can decide the frequency and then the group it is on. However, you can't control the power remotely and you can't broadcast (trigger other flash units) using it. However, it can operate as a Odin transmitter and receiver. So, for somebody with a ELB 500 TTL, it can be used as the transmitter (and control everything from turning on and off groups, adjusting power, modeling light, etc.) It's a pretty cheap and versatile unit. Unfortunately, I've seen it as discontinued on B&H and Adorama, so my guess is that it's not distributed in America anymore. Seems to still be available in Asia and Europe as I've seen it in stock at The Flash Centre in the UK.

[@YogueDaddy]

@@JohnGressOther thing is that the Phottix Juno TTL won't show up on the Transmitter Pro. It will be triggered if the right group is on, but it will function like an old Elinchrom flash unit with an older version of the Skyport protocol. Still pretty cool to trigger a speedlite using Skyport without the receiver. I sometimes wish Elinchrom came out with their own speedlites like Profoto did. One thing I didn't like about the Juno TTL is that it seems made a bit cheaply. I am very careful when using my gear but one of my 4 units broke down while using it at 1/1 to do portraits in a hotel. I was not shooting like crazy either and normally like most of the Phottix branded gear I buy. Not sure if Phottix and Elinchrom still collaborates. I think Phottix is exiting the flash market and will try to concentrate on light modifiers and LED lighting units. Pretty sure they still are the manufacturer for some Elinchrom stuff, though, like the Elinchrom Pro Transmitter and the Rotalux Go softboxes.

[@trinakoster]

Thanks John! You did an excellent job describing the differences between these strobe. Your video was succinct and helped me in making my next purchasing decision and saved me a ton of time.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Trina! I am glad it was helpful!

[@CmdrBondUK-007]

Yes the ELB system can’t be independently controlled by the skyport controller as it just sees the unit as one light. However, if you use the Odin II controller it will let you set the lights independently of each other and it will also control any canon speed lights too you are using for fill or hair lights if they are connected to Odin triggers.

[@alliance711]

I myself have an ELC Pho HD 500 set + One. I have been really satisfied.

[@TiffinboxTV]

Perfect. Exactly what I wanted someone to do and you are the right person to do it! Eying the Three or the Five, for my headshot portrait work.

[@JohnGress]

Great! Glad I could help!

[@patrickphotos]

Thanks for creating this video. Great summary of the Elinchrom system

[@JohnGress]

Thank you. I hope it helps.

[@Pezinokrm]

Hi John great overview of the Elinchrom line. Based on your recommendation now two years ago I bought the Elinchrom ELC Pro HD 500. That said, using them in Europe with 230 volt sockets at 3.5 setting I’m getting flash duration of 1/3500 and at 4.5 1/2600 ISO 100 with a MINISOFT-44 White Beauty Dish. 1 meter setting 4 f/11 recycle at .9 second. Two things that I like the most about the unit is the consistent color temperature though out the shoot which is necessary when shooting Fujifilm Provia F. Another important thing is the modeling light is 300 watts which helps a lot when eye balling how the strobe light will fall on the subject. I have considered the other units but the ELC Pro HD works best for color temperature which is very close to my Broncolor gear without the expensive price. I’m hoping Elinchrom will come out with the next generation of the HD Pro line. Happy Holidays Cheers! 🥂

[@JohnGress]

I would love it if they modernized this strobe. I recently relearned that the flash duration numbers on the ELC Pro HD are t.5 where as the newer strobes display t.1

[@mihhhai]

Thank you! I regularly use the D Lite RX 4 and ONE and I am very pleased with my results. I am, however, very interested in the battery packed series and will look more into them.

[@JohnGress]

I hope it helps! The three offers a lot of bang for your buck: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5yme2N-ad5-hKc

[@daandegroot846]

Thanks for your great tutorials. I am in the process of buying some battery power flash units. I do have some good experiences with Godox but also they failed me a few times during important shoots such as a wedding and an editorial shoot. I shoot with a S1R and S1 and want to move quickly and free so will choose between the one or three. I mostly shoot these scenes with umbrellas as I love the soft lite and its flexibility. Looking at this review I think the power of the three will be the factor for me over the one.

[@JohnGress]

I'm sorry to hear you had difficulties with Godox; you're not alone as others have shared similar experiences. I would suggest you consider purchasing the Elinchrom THREE because it has more power, making it more versatile in various situations. For the best results and to get access to TTL and HSS, you will need to buy the pro trigger that matches your camera brand. Here are the links for the Elinchrom THREE: Adorama: howl.me/ckOHJkaLdm0 Amazon: amzn.to/4dgoPl8 B&H: bhpho.to/46Sg90q

[@daandegroot846]

@@JohnGress thanks. I own a couple of pro triggers as I also work the ELC pro hd and BRX500 in my studio. Both amazing. Love the big octa’s and the strip light HD. I agree that the versatility of the three will be the smartest choice. 👌🏻

[@michaelclarkphoto]

Great summary! Here's hoping they come out with a TEN battery-powered strobe.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Michael!

[@TasteofTaboo]

I had a couple ELC 500 Pro HD and used it often also with rented Profoto B1x on location when I needed several Sets. I did a lot of fashion, sometimes with special garments. What I noticed is that the Elc 500 Pro HD has really the best color stability in the color mode. Also the tubes are the best IR cutted ones. With black garments, they are so on point. No purple colouring. Noticeably better than the Profoto over the range ... also better than a lot of the Broncolor packs I used. On the other side, I really hate the Elinchrom mount with bigger, heavier stuff on it.

[@JohnGress]

Good to know Thanks for sharing.

[@YogueDaddy]

The ELC 500 Pro HD is a voltage controlled flash and does not run on IGBT circuitry. As such, it has no color or action mode, as that is only found in IGBT flash units.

[@truthscollector]

Excellent explanaition . Thank you ..!

[@JohnGress]

You are welcome! I hope it was helpful!

[@giovannimalatrasigerani153]

Loved the video. Honestly, I have the Elinchrom THREE and I'm pretty satisfied. Btw indoor shooting with window curtains opened, placing the THREE like a Rembrandt light plus a Aputure 1200d on the backside of the subject it's quite perfect, but still it's missing something. I should place the THREE like a paramount and the Aputure on the back centre for the shadows to be kicked away. I am thinking about getting the FIVE or another THREE to be used as a Paramount or as a Rembrandt light (put in 45 degree angle) plus two ONE. I use Bowens adapter to adapt my Bowens soft boxes to Elinchrom. Is it possible to attach Bowens (with the adapter) to the FIVE? I could use the FIVE or the THREE in the front (like, specular one on the left, one on the right), and 2 ONE on the back plus a small mono torch illuminating the white or colored background. This would be perfect for portrait and corporate photography. I'm undecided. What do you think?

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

I guess flash technology will have huge improvements in the coming years based on what Broncolor has done recently with his unique high end Satos unit, among them : - no more T0.1 or T0.5 features due to square curve flash duration - high shutter speed synch with only one long flash burst - super short flash duration without color shift - flash white balance fully controllable - very high burst rate at high power due to fast deionizing flash tube and battery buffer on AC outlet - powerfull LED continuous light with white balance control

[@FarhangTahmasebi]

Thanks for the very helpful comparison. Just a question on beauty dish compatibility issue. I wonder if you have any suggestion if any other brand's beauty dish works well with Elinchrom One and Three? I fear even if I buy the very expensive Profoto beauty dish, I don't get the right light distribution, as it is not designed for the dome head. In any case, I hope Elinchrom makes a beauty dish for One and Three soon.

[@JohnGress]

I used to shoot Profoto and I had one of their beauty dishes. I think they are actually designed for the domes heads because they came out long before the D1. the Three should work will in that modifier. I also had a mola Demi (Here is me testing it kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpm5nYV3ibaAgsU) and that would work well too. I think the ONE's tilt mechanism might not hold the weight of a heavy reflector.

[@Lukas_622]

In which scenarios are you using the 1000? I'm trying to decide if I will need this power in the studio ar outside.

[@JohnGress]

I do have a 1200ws pack but I haven't used it in years. I use 500s all the time, but they might be a little under powered in high softboxes. Youre probably good all day with 400ws outside in a 3' octa but you will probably need more for a 5.'

[@Lukas_622]

@@JohnGress thank you

[@tom_k_d]

Hi John, I just got a brand new Profoto B10x as my first off camera flash, and it died after emitting about 20 flashes, at the 2nd day of test use. Now I consider switching the system to something more robust, before I get invested. The B10x was 'made in Poland', and the Profoto 3' Silver Octa I bought with it was 'made in South Korea' - so the whole 'Profoto is made in Sweden' thing seems history, sadly. Where is the Elinchrome five manufactured?

[@JohnGress]

Sorry to hear that you are going through that. I believe the lights are assembled in Switzerland. But regardless of the country on the table, they're just well made and almost half the price. Please LMK if you have any more questions.

[@tom_k_d]

@@JohnGress Thanks a lot, John - would you still recommend the ELB500 in 2024? I somehow like the idea of having electronics and battery decoupled from the flash head, to be more flexible with head positioning.

[@JohnGress]

It's not a bad way to go. many people hate needing to use the ring adapter and the cable but to me it's like having a built in sand bag. I forget how the specs compare though between the two.

[@Robin_Polarstern]

Very important to know, big thank you 🙏

[@JohnGress]

My pleasure!

[@zaldum386]

I always thought the shortest flash duration was at full power on studio flashes as oposed to min power on speedlites. Al least it was in my 600rx elinchromes and my old quadra, am i Wrong?

[@JohnGress]

You may not be wrong, because every model has different specs, but flash duration is shortest at lower power settings on most moonlights.

[@Mowikan]

Only thing that I find is that those led lights are a bit underpowered for bright light situations. Excellent video by the way. Thx!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! I think most of them are as bright as traditional modeling lamps. I wonder if brighter modeling lamps could cause ghosting in flash photos.

[@chanchan-wl5kf]

Very useful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@JohnGress]

My pleasure! I hope it helps.

[@blackeaglezee4645]

hi John, are Five and Three good couple in terms of flash colour temperature ? five is 5600k ,three is 5900k at max, i think it can be problem isnt it? thank you

[@JohnGress]

I don't think that much of a difference would be noticeable unless the lights were performing the same task, like lighting a background. Where you run into trouble is when you have one light in standard mode and one light at lower power in action mode. The solution is to only use action mode if needed and if so, make sure they aren't too far apart in power.

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

Do Elinchrom 0ne, three, five, havetrigger speed mode that is needed to synch high speed leaf shutters (Hasselblad, Phase One, LF cameras) When an Elinchrom trigger is set in speed mode ( red trigger screen background in place of green) only flashes also set in speed mode work.

[@JohnGress]

I looked through the menus and I didnt see a speed mode, but that doesnt mean it's not there.

[@ggengs]

Does the power control work well from the sekonic-858d elinchrom transmitter to the recently released FIVE??

[@JohnGress]

Yes! It works great!

[@jean-claudemuller122]

What about the ELB 1200 unit that has huge battery power, for two lamps and standard EL bay ?

[@JohnGress]

I believe the ELB 1200 has been discontinued.

[@ggengs]

Which model is the most densely constructed, from low to large stops range, without the need for HSS functionality in elinchrom? (I like to mix it with natural light with low light indoors.)

[@JohnGress]

I wouldn’t get a dlite or pro hd. Low power is the same on the battery powered units and the regular ELC.

[@ggengs]

@@JohnGress Thank you very much for your reply, I always enjoy watching it :)

[@JohnGress]

Thank you!

[@ggengs]

If you say you can't use more than 500 shutter speeds after purchasing a global shutter Sony a9m3, what would be the cost-effectiveness if you consider low light to wide stop? I also love 190octa, but I don't need hss, so I'd like to ask if godox is right? or dlite4 or one?

[@JohnGress]

If you’re asking about using minimum power in a 190 to shoot in low light wide open…. You would probably be better off using the Elinchrom lights modeling lamp in that scenario as the flash will likely be too bright.

[@cueseia]

Great video! Elinchrom ONE can not use beauty dish????

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! The THREE and the ONE do not have an umbrella shaft hole inside of the octa ring, which means it's not compatible with their beauty dishes because the deflector disc goes inside that hole. However they will work with other beauty dishes, like the Mola Demi.

[@cueseia]

@@JohnGress Oh! Thanks.. I Just ordered (elinchrom ONE & Beauty Dish) when before watching this video. Seller dose not tell me this information!! 😮‍💨.. I have to return ONE and think about purchase (ELC125/500) Kit. I'm so confusing but Thanks again! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to return it.😍

[@cueseia]

And MOLA beaty dish is Great but very expansive to me😆

[@JohnGress]

Glad I caught you just in time!

[@JohnGress]

I bought mine used on Ebay, Maybe that will work for you.

[@ggengs]

And if five is installed in octa190, octa will break, is it light??

[@JohnGress]

A five works great in the 190.

[@BoomsRiddico4868]

you introduced the ELC500 as a battery powered unit. I presume that was a mistake?

[@JohnGress]

Oh no! Yep that was a mistake.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks for bringing this to my attention, what a major F#$%-up! I was able to edit the video to remove that part about the battery.

[@p0ggles]

The one and three look awesome, but man, do I hate internal batteries.

[@BoomsRiddico4868]

thank you

[@JohnGress]

Thank you!