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  3. Speedlite EL-1

EL-1 on the EOS R5

Professional Flash

Canon Speedlite EL-1

An advanced Speedlite that delivers superb reliability and advanced high-speed performance in a tough weather-resistant body.

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For when you only get one chance

For those unrepeatable moments, when you can’t ask your subject to simply ‘do it one more time’, there is the Speedlite EL-1. Absolute reliability and blistering performance, plus advanced wireless communication and a high performance re-chargeable battery, make this the ultimate Speedlite.

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EL-1 packshot front view without stand
EL-1 packshot front view with stand
EL-1 packshot side view with stand
EL-1 packshot back view with screen on
EL-1 packshot back view with screen on
EL-1 packshot top view
EL-1 packshot top view with head rotating to the left
EL-1 packshot top view with head rotating to the right
EL-1 packshot side view with stand
EL-1 packshot front view with stand
EL-1 packshot front view without stand
EL-1 packshot FSL angle view on EOS R5 hot shoe
EL-1 packshot front view on EOS R5 hot shoe

Specifications

  • EL-1 Recycle times

    Fast 0.1-0.9 sec1 recycle times

    Up to 170 full power flashes2 in a burst

  • EL-1 rechargeable battery

    Rechargeable Li-ion battery

    Up to 335 shots at full power

  • EL-1 guide number

    Guide number 60m4

    Light up distant subjects and large groups

  • EL-1 weather resistant construction

    Weather-resistant construction

    Work confidently in poor conditions

  • EL-1 power levels

    Wide range of power levels

    From full to 1/8192 power5, for maximum flexibility

  • EL-1 modelling light

    Built-in LED modelling light

    With colour temperature and brightness controls

  • Active cooling

    Active cooling system

    Shoot for longer without overheating

  • EL-1 Battery indicator

    Accurate battery level indicator3

    So you’ll know when to replace or recharge a battery

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FOR THOSE UNREPEATABLE MOMENTS

Canon Speedlite EL-1

Fast, precise and completely dependable – the Canon Speedlite EL-1 delivers the kind of performance that professional photographers demand when the pressure is on. Discover the benefits and capabilities of the EL-1 in this film.
A split image. Left, a photographer shooting with a Canon EOS R5 with Speedlite EL-1 flash in the hot-shoe; right: a stunt cyclist balances his bike on its rear wheel on an elevated handrail.

THE ULTIMATE PROFESSIONAL FLASH

Absolute reliability and blistering performance

Find out what Dave Mackison has to say about his experience with using the Canon Speedlite EL-1.

Prepared for every moment

Be ready for anything. Super-fast 0.1-0.9 sec1 recycle times mean bursts of up to 170 full-power flashes2, plus high speed bursts at lower power levels are also possible.

EL-1 on the EOS R5
EL-1 on the EOS R5

Power when you need it most

A high-performance LP-EL battery powers the EL-1’s blisteringly fast shooting speeds and shot-to-shot reliability. Expect up to 2345 flashes from a single charge. An accurate battery level indicator 3 lets you know when it’s time to recharge or replace your power source.

Shoot with confidence

When the pressure’s on, you can count on the EL-1 to deliver. It’s guide number of 60m4 is backed up by the same degree of dust and water resistance as our L-Series lenses. An active cooling system prevents overheating, so you can shoot for longer.

EL-1 on the EOS R5

WIRELESS

Flexibility and control

Light your subject from anywhere in the scene, controlling the EL-1 wirelessly with a radio or optical trigger. Use multiple Speedlites together (as individual units or groups) for highly creative lighting.
EL-1 on the EOS R5

Be more creative with your lighting

A built-in bi-colour LED modelling light lets you see where and how the EL-1’s flash output will look, and preview where shadows will fall. Manual flash output can be varied between full and 1/8192 power 5

EL-1 on the EOS R5

QUOTE

“Faster recycle times – Having kit that is fast and efficient is super important.”

Portrait shot of Dave Mackison holding EL-1 and EOS R5

Written by Dave Mackison

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Canon

Canon aims to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions from its business activities by 2050

We will achieve this by delivering an average improvement of 3% per year in the lifecycle CO2 emissions improvement index per product. Which if sustained would mean roughly a 50% reduction from 2008 levels by the year 2030. We recognise this to be in line with the level of reduction called for by the Paris Agreement.

We will continue to undertake target reviews from a long-term perspective as a way of checking our contribution to the realisation of a low-carbon society.

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Professional flashes

EL-1 packshot front in the comparison table

SPEEDLITE EL-1

Speedlite 600EX II-RT in comparison table with EL-1

SPEEDLITE 600EX II-RT

Guide No. (ISO100) meters

60 (200mm)

60 (200mm)

Focal length coverage

24-200mm

20-200mm

High speed sync (FP)

Yes

Yes

Manual / output settings

Yes - 1/1 - 1/81921

Yes - 1/1 - 1/128

Flash exposure compensation

Yes

Yes

Flash exposure bracketing

Yes

Yes

Modelling lamp / Flash

2 x LED / Yes

No / Yes

Wireless transmission type

Optical / Radio

Optical / Radio

Receiver function

Infra-red / Radio

Infra-red / Radio

Sender function

Infra-red / Radio

Infra-red / Radio

Battery

1 x Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery

4 x AA batteries

Recycle time

Approx. 0.9sec2

Approx. 5.5sec2 (Alkaline batteries)

Weight (Excluding batteries), grams

572g

435g

  1. Minimum flash output is 1/128 for high-speed sync or optical wireless transmission.
  2. Time taken to recharge flash after full discharge, using fully charged battery(s)

Layout

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EL-1 what’s in the box image with gels, stand, charger, battery and case

What's in the box

  • Speedlite EL-1

  • Speedlite case

  • Battery Pack LP-EL

  • Battery Charger LC-E6E

  • Mini stand

  • Bounce Adapter SBA-EL

  • Color Filter SCF-ELOR1

  • Color Filter SCF-ELOR2

Canon Speedlite EL-1
Ratings & Reviews

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Accessory finder

Find the right accessory for your product.
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Compatible Accessories

  • EL-1 battery in compatible accessories for professional flashes

    POWER

    Battery pack LP-EL

    Specially designed for Canon Speedlites, the LP-EL is able to quickly discharge large currents and has a capacity of 1920mAh.
  • EL-1 battery charger in compatible accessories for professional flashes

    POWER

    Battery charger LC-E6E

    Charges compatible Canon LP-E6 series and the LP-EL batteries.
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  • EL-1 battery pack CP-E4N in compatible accessories for professional flashes

    POWER

    Compact Battery Pack CP-E4N

    Improves flash recycle times and increases the number of flashes with compatible Speedlites - uses Battery Magazine CPM-E4 with 8 x AA batteries.
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  • ST E3 RT trigger in compatible accessories for professional flashes

    TRIGGERS

    Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT(Ver.2)

    Fire compatible radio-frequency Speedlite flashguns over distances of up to 30m. Additional remote features for the EL-1.
    Find out more Find out more
  • ST E2 trigger in compatible accessories for professional flashes

    TRIGGERS

    Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2

    Fire compatible Speedlites with wireless optical receivers at up to 15m outdoors / 10m indoors.
    Find out more Find out more
  • Off camera show cord OC-E3 in compatible accessories for professional flashes

    EXTENDERS

    Off-Camera Shoe Cord OC-E3

    Position your flash away from the camera for creative lighting and full E-TTL control with compatible cameras.
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    • Maintenance, Upgrades & Repairs

    Keep your Canon cameras and accessories up to date with latest firmware and service updates, or book your equipment into your nearest authorised repair centre.

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    1. 1/8192 to 1/1 power charging time required for firing.
    2. At 23 degrees C, with the fan set to ON, and before reaching flash firing restriction Level 1, with no flash adapters fitted (bursts up to 160 full power flashes with the flash zoomed from 150-200mm)
    3. Indicates the remaining capacity of the internal battery only, not external power sources
    4. Guide number 60 measured for meters at ISO 100 and 200mm zoom head setting.
    5. Minimum flash output is 1/128 for high-speed sync or optical wireless transmission.