topic Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped in Speedlite Flashes

EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

chrishoesel — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 21:55:43 GMT

I just received notification from B&H that my backorder for an EL-5 has shipped. Now I wonder if it will work on my R5C (which we know it won't, even though it has the new multifunction shoe) Was hoping the next firmware update would drop but haven't seen it yet.

Anyone else get theirs yet?

Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

shadowsports — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 03:02:55 GMT

Greetings,

EL-5.. confirmation of shipment. Congrats. You are the first I've heard this from here. Heard from 1 other person on CR who will have his by Saturday. He preordered 11/2022 from B&H (like yourself).

Please share the results after pairing with your R5 C when possible. I'm waiting for 1.0.4.1 as well. I think we are still a few weeks out before it gets released. I'm planning to pick up an EL-5 in September. Should be plenty of stock by then. I rarely use a flash so its not as urgent a purchase for me.

Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

deebatman316 — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 12:51:04 GMT

My friend got her's in last night. She can't wait to use it. She already has extra batteries from her EL-1 to set it up and use it.

Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

chrishoesel — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 21:15:08 GMT

Received it just now (delivered to my work) but camera is at home. Will test out in a few hours but I am almost certain it won't work. However, I will trigger it remotely and test out the recycle rate.

Few things to note (as compared to 600EX-II-RT and 600EX-RT)

1. Build quality is much inferior to 600 series. Much lighter-grade plastics that are cheaper to mold/produce.

2. Lighter in weight - goes with the theme of all R-series bodies and lenses being plastic (cheaper to produce) and "lighter" I know that image quality has gone up, and I don't mind the feel, but I used to own 1DX series and all L glass some years ago.

3. I'm charging the battery now on a second charger I have at the office. Keep in mind the flash itself DOES NOT include a charger.

4. The carrying case is a much inferior, thin wetsuit material, unlike the better nylon cases the 600's came in. It is in full vertical format and does not have a belt loop.

5. Head rotates on detents like all other Speedlites, however it is not locked in position. No need to push the button to rotate.

6. Units are made in Taiwan.

Will update more. All else being equal, even if it doesn't work on-camera with R5C, I'll test it OCF remotely and may consider selling all my 600EX-II's and getting more of these if the recycle time, radio, function, etc. are better. The battery situation alone may be worth it, and at this price point it's probably worth it if the quality is there.

Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

deebatman316 — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 21:40:35 GMT

Do you own a camera that currently supports the EL-5. There are some limitations when it comes to the LED AF Assist Beam.

Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

shadowsports — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 22:33:01 GMT

@chrishoesel,

Thanks for the update and observations. Others mentioned and questioned the lack of an included charger and the rotation detent operation. No push-button or lock. Decent article on it if you haven't seen it

Speedlite EL-5: 6+ Things to Know About Canon’s New Professional Flash (canon-asia.com)

Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

deebatman316 — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 22:36:44 GMT

I'm surprised that the EL-5 doesn't ship with a charger. The EL-1 does ship with a charger though. Is this a cost cutting measure or did Canon assume most of us own LC-E6 chargers already.

Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

chrishoesel — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 23:10:08 GMT

No I do not. I pre-ordered the EL-5 when I purchased my R5C because this camera has the MF Shoe and I assumed it would work. Some others and myself hope that Canon adds compatibility to the R5C via firmware. The firmware for the stills portion of this camera must be included in the Cinema EOS firmware because it can only be updated from the video operating system. It's a strange beast. Myself along with others have requested support for this flash on that Camera so holding out with baited breath that it happens. (I don't think they really care, cause they're about to aggressively market the R5 Mark II and me like an idiot will buy that or the R1.)

Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

deebatman316 — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 23:24:42 GMT

Canon is probably making firmware for the new EL-5 to work on the R5C. New firmware takes time to make. Since the R5C is a video camera they may not be able to modify the existing firmware. That the R6 Mark II, R8 & R50 use. Or older Multi Function Shoe cameras use such as the R3, R7 & R10 have. The camera already has the hardware. The camera just lacks the necessary software to make it work.

Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

chrishoesel — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 23:47:27 GMT

Got home and tested the EL-5 on the R5C.

Confirmed it does not work nor is recognized by the camera in stills mode. Works fine remotely triggered by the ST3-RT (Ver.2)

Recycle time is actually less than 1 second at 1/1 power so that's cool.

Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

shadowsports — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 00:34:57 GMT

Lack of a included charger. Everyone seemed to be surprised by this.

I'm fairly certain the R5 C will get EL-5 support. Canon said it would in a Canon USA Video - in the comments... not in the video itself, so there is some ambiguity. No reason to believe it won't at this point. The Tascam has a MFS, and so does the EL-5, so it seems likely.

The 1.0.4.1. FW is weeks away now. They have already demo'ed the AF tracking features on Canon Japan. Whats on the product's support page, vs. what was in the press release, vs. whats in the video that was released all differs, so we will see. I think we will see ST-E10 support too (which is not mentioned anywhere), but is still a hope at the moment.

@chrishoesel, thanks for the reply. Hoping it all happens.

Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

Danfaz — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 03:22:14 GMT

This flash apparently isn't designed to use a bounce adapter or color correction filters. They aren't mentioned anywhere in the manual.

Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

shadowsports — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 05:35:52 GMT

I think B&H has the filters and the bounce listed as compatible with the EL-5, but I'm starting to see posts about them not working like you said. You'd think by looking at them they might fit. 👀

Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

chrishoesel — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 12:57:21 GMT

The reason these Speedlites are $399.00 is because there is zero provision for filters, modifiers, diffuser caps or gels to be installed. (At least Canon ones, that are recognized by the auto functions of the Speedlite) There are no sensors on the head for the flash to know that something is going to affect the E-TTL light power/duration. Just use third-party accessories and modifiers and it will be ok. I think at this price point, the flash is "good enough" and more suited to use off-camera and inside modifiers. If you want Canon gels and attachments that communicate back to the flash/camera, maybe have to stick with 600-EX series or EL-1 (not sure if EL-1 comes with flash head accessories as I don't own one)

Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

Danfaz — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 13:23:18 GMT

Yes, it would appear to be that's the direction Canon went with this flash. What's interesting is that the lower priced (and powered) 430EX came with all the extra goodies. The EL-1 does come with the adapter and filters (it should for the price LOL). I wonder if there's some trickery coming at least with color correction that we don't know about?

Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

chrishoesel — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 13:57:48 GMT

It's very possible you might be on to something. I guess there's always a tradeoff. We get more power than the 430EX and a lithium battery, modeling lamp, and fast recycle times, but cheaper plastic construction, bare-minimum accessories (read: no charger and crappy quality storage pouch), as well as no active attachments for similar price to the 430EX-III-RT. I'll take the faster recycling Li-Ion battery any day. I can overlook the other cost-cutting measures.

Re: EL-5 Speedlite Shipped

Danfaz — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 15:24:05 GMT

Oh, absolutely regarding the battery! It makes a world of difference!