Does anyone use both regularly? Other than the built-in fan and the loss of the normal hot shoe and AF illuminati is there anything missing from the EL-5 in operation? I have one EL-5 now and rented an EL-1 a few years ago, but cannot compare them directly. I need two flashes soon and have to decide whether to rent another EL-1 (don't want to buy an older flash that appears to be EOL) or buy/rent another EL-5.
Ideally there would be a new high end flash to replace the EL-1, but who knows when.
The EL-1 comes with an OEM bounce adapter (resembles one from Sto-Fen) and it comes with two OEM color filters. Either color filter can be used in conjunction with the bounce adapter, and all of these OEM attachments have magnets in them that inform the EL-1 that they are attached, and the EL-1 programs are then adjusted automatically. I do not think that anyone manufactures a Sto-Fen-style diffuser for an EL-5; an EL-5 owner would be on their own to come up with something.
I modded the silicone boot (seal) of my EL-1 to more easily fit my R3, and I posted to Fred Miranda, images of this mod. The modified seal works just fine and I can all but eliminate the 'need' for a AD-E1 Multi-Function Shoe Adapter for weather sealing purposes, excepting perhaps, for extreme weather conditions. I own an AD-E1 Multi-Function Shoe Adapter, and I do NOT like stacking all this stuff together.
I think that at some point, Canon will make some sort of 'Hybrid flagship flash' and while it may be better than the EL-1, it could just as easily lack some of the EL-1's features. When I bought my EL-1, I thought of the older Ford Broncos and Dodge Ramchargers with their removable tops being discontinued. I wonder if Speedlites with built-in cooling fans will be discontinued, like those removable hardtops were.
B&H has EL-1s in stock occasionally. If you seek one, you could elect to get a stock notification. I purchased my EL-1 at the end of October 2024. Mine lists the country of its manufacture as Japan (not Myanmar).
I did find a Sto-Fen like diffuser for the EL-5 on eBay. I purchased and it has been good. Great seller too. Please note that I am in no way affiliated with this product. Just my honest opinion. https://www.ebay.com/itm/326405564425?_skw=Diffuser+%2F+bouncer+for+Canon+EL-5+speedlite+flash&itmmeta=01JJ4HVP9BP8RAWPP85R2WXQ4A&hash=item4bff49a809:g:XGoAAOSwqB5nCELg&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKk2%2BDSmUMDuHLtmtDGjrkALZTVXK0cVED0HoT2LAihubxmZdtI38Fz4louiq2R9aA5ujex8lLHEAq5owgZqxf0JGKHqqkTAyLk4jTFH939Ud0wFyC06GVsOuHzLyYLLCkG2ta4WWNaCmRQlIqHvhedvwV14gvDY6pt0nhq9qUOpZtFKlfm8%2Bg0ewXT%2F9iSJur3Fjf5ULvDWNKCWZm%2B1augLWFekgfRWaxfYoUid74c2apckqdMzUmy1QsvBVQmSV%2BLrR%2B%2FUqGrJ8nx9XQJI6sIoO6SxfrT%2F4BkZ9hCPxzWEVw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-rk7pGRZQ
Mark A. wrote:
The EL-1 comes with an OEM bounce adapter (resembles one from Sto-Fen) and it comes with two OEM color filters. Either color filter can be used in conjunction with the bounce adapter, and all of these OEM attachments have magnets in them that inform the EL-1 that they are attached, and the EL-1 programs are then adjusted automatically. I do not think that anyone manufactures a Sto-Fen-style diffuser for an EL-5; an EL-5 owner would be on their own to come up with something.
Mark A. wrote:
The EL-1 comes with an OEM bounce adapter (resembles one from Sto-Fen) and it comes with two OEM color filters. Either color filter can be used in conjunction with the bounce adapter, and all of these OEM attachments have magnets in them that inform the EL-1 that they are attached, and the EL-1 programs are then adjusted automatically. I do not think that anyone manufactures a Sto-Fen-style diffuser for an EL-5; an EL-5 owner would be on their own to come up with something.
This is what I miss most with the EL-5 compared to the EL-1 (which I have only rented on occasion). Yeah, there are other ways to filter but not as convenient.
I haven't missed the ability to operate from a HV pack with the EL-5. Its recycling time is fast enough for my needs and I dislike being tethered to a coiled cable that always seems to get in the way more than the I need the increased recycling speed. With the 600EX flashes though, it was a necessary evil.
Canon's RT system has become unreliable and drops connections after literally only minutes, so I wouldn't be using the EL-5 off camera without a cable. Unfortunately the lack of PC socket means no way to trigger it externally because I don't think anyone has released a radio receiver compatible with the Canon multifunction foot/shoe (but also have not checked recently). And AFAIK there is no adapter to convert the MFS to the old style.
koenkooi wrote:
I bought the OC-E4A and decided to forget how much I payed for it. It works as expected.
I also bought the OC-E4A and am ashamed of how much I paid for it. But it is well made and works exactly as advertised, even with multi-function interface audio equipment.
Mark A. wrote:
The EL-1 comes with an OEM bounce adapter (resembles one from Sto-Fen) and it comes with two OEM color filters. Either color filter can be used in conjunction with the bounce adapter, and all of these OEM attachments have magnets in them that inform the EL-1 that they are attached, and the EL-1 programs are then adjusted automatically. I do not think that anyone manufactures a Sto-Fen-style diffuser for an EL-5; an EL-5 owner would be on their own to come up with something.
rscheffler wrote:
This is what I miss most with the EL-5 compared to the EL-1 (which I have only rented on occasion). Yeah, there are other ways to filter but not as convenient.
I haven't missed the ability to operate from a HV pack with the EL-5. Its recycling time is fast enough for my needs and I dislike being tethered to a coiled cable that always seems to get in the way more than the I need the increased recycling speed. With the 600EX flashes though, it was a necessary evil.
Canon's RT system has become unreliable and drops connections after literally only minutes, so I wouldn't be using the EL-5 off camera without a cable. Unfortunately the lack of PC socket means no way to trigger it externally because I don't think anyone has released a radio receiver compatible with the Canon multifunction foot/shoe (but also have not checked recently). And AFAIK there is no adapter to convert the MFS to the old style. ...Show more →
I'm trying to get a large diffuser of some kind for macro work, but it would be on a Velcro and not have to be a frictino fit like Sto-Fen. I have some old 600 EX RT IIs or whatever was the late 2016/early 2017 model. However, I had too many issues with the piles of AA NiMH batteries in the luggage and the total load of batteries with the 330VDC 8AA PS (I agree it was needed) and chargers is just ridiculous to manage in most countries. If the stupidly designed Wi-Fi worked reliably I'd just buy EL-1s, but was also leery that Canon might completely remove the EX TTL shoe contacts in the future bodies. IDK why nobody makes an adapter from multifunction to EX TTL shoe. It cannot be more difficult than some of the lens adpters beteen different brands.
I suppose you could add a PC socket to the flash, but it's probably not worth the effort. It would be easier to modify the OC-E4A.
I got the silly and expensive OC-E4A cord. Unfortunately the threaded foot is wider than normal and does not fit my flash bracket. The OC-2 and OC-3 cords fit and worked just fine. The optical triggers also worked fine some years ago. I'm not very impressed with the Canon Flash System at this point.
The OC-2 and OC-3 cords fit and worked just fine. The optical triggers also worked fine some years ago. I'm not very impressed with the Canon Flash System at this point.