What’s going on with Canon Speedlites?

Canon Rumors · Dec 28, 2023

Since the launch of the EOS R system, the Speedlite situation for the system has been a bit of a mess. Currently, the flagship Speedlite EL-1 isn’t expected to ship again until May of 2024, while it’s compatible the entire EOS R lineup, it’s also prohibitively expensive for a lot of shooters. The Speedlite EL-5

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john1970 · Dec 28, 2023

The soon to be released R5 Mk2 will be compatible with the EL-5. I believe that the Canon RP and Canon R5 are the only two Canon cameras currently in production that are not compatible with the EL-5.

Just FYI the EL-5 is a great flash even though I use it infrequently.

EOS 4 Life · Dec 28, 2023

Unfortunately, the EL-5 is not compatible with the R5 C either.

koenkooi · Dec 28, 2023

The EL-5 should work the the R8 as well. But I'm going to keep using my trusty EL-100

Quackator · Dec 28, 2023

I'd guess that global shutters are coming from Canon as well, and that
might require a redesign towards shorter discharge durations in order to
cram that into the exposure times and make a difference.

Other than that, the Godox X system does everything one needs - and more.

lipe · Dec 28, 2023

I go godox now. Everything should be off shoes, no need trigger anymore. The price is too high to buy. I lost faith in canon flash.

Zeniz · Dec 28, 2023

Most people got rid of Canon speedlights and adopted third-party options like Godox. The only difference the new shoe mount has is a mic jack, which I personally don’t care about. I’ve seen people with R6 II come into the studio and be surprised that it won’t work with a universal trigger.
EL-5 me bolox

Maximilian · Dec 28, 2023

Canon Rumors Guy said:
… We are now being told that the EL-1 “may never be available again” and that Canon is “revamping the entire Speedlite line next year”. What that means, we're not 100% sure, but it would make sense to address it …

I must admit, that I didn‘t fully understand the Canon strategy behind the new EL SLs - of there is any consistent one at all.
So either there is one or not, it seems that it didn‘t fit grip at the market.
So starting again seems to be a possible choice.
Right now, I see no reason to abandon my old EX SL.

JimmyJames · Dec 28, 2023

The 600EX-RT (version I) remains an amazing workhorse with my R5 and R3 bodies.

Del Paso · Dec 28, 2023

koenkooi said:
The EL-5 should work the the R8 as well. But I'm going to keep using my trusty EL-100

I like mine too, and, since I dislike flash photography anyway (or have no use for it), the EL 100 is all I need. Small, reliable and lightweight for the rare cases I need a flash.

nemophoto · Dec 28, 2023

I\'m not a huge Speedlite shooter. I have two 600EX-RT II Speedlites and use them periodically. I rented the EL-1 for a shoot as a companion/comparison on my R5 body. Nice flash, fast recycle and it works with an external pack. That said, it\'s not worth $1000! No way. I use an Elinchrom ELB500 and also an Elinchrom 1 for my location work since I rarely use on-camera flash. I\'m considering an Elinchrom 3 now. All of these are roughly the same price or less than the EL-1 but with more versatility (though granted, not on camera). The problems with Canon Speedlites are 1) exorbitantly expensive (as even the 600EX-RT are), and 2) non-functional with even somewhat newer cameras like the R5.

neuroanatomist · Dec 28, 2023

Zeniz said:
Most people got rid of Canon speedlights and adopted third-party options like Godox.

Welcome to the CR forum! It's always great when we have forum members with access to accurate global market research, so they can tell us all what 'most people' do and think.

Skux · Dec 28, 2023

- Last-gen Speedlites do the job fine for most people
- Canon Speedlites are way too expensive
- Third party flashes do the job at a much lower price point

Unless Canon can sell a competitively priced flash that offers a tangible benefit to flash shooters they'll continue to be overrun by third parties. Until then I'll stick with my first-gen 430EX when I need TTL, and my set of Yongnuo YN560-III when I'm doing studio stuff.

danfaz · Dec 28, 2023

neuroanatomist said:
Welcome to the CR forum! It's always great when we have forum members with access to accurate global market research, so they can tell us all what 'most people' do and think.

I was wondering where the poll was that asked how many people got rid of their Canon Speedlites.

danfaz · Dec 28, 2023

Skux said:
- Canon Speedlites are way too expensive
- Third party flashes do the job at a much lower price point

Well yes, but...
So many people say you can buy 4 (Godox/Yongnuo/etc.) for the price of an EL-1. Read the reviews of the Godox V1 on B&H. Tons of reviews saying it broke after the 1st event, especially the foot. One reviewer said he was on his 5th(!) V1.
At that point, he's spent more money on his 5 V1s than if he just bought an EL-1.

"Buy nice or buy twice..."

LDS · Dec 28, 2023

Canon attempted too many tricks with the flash shoe - from removing the standard hotshoe pin from economic cameras, and then creating a whole new interface - but not before rolling out one of its flagship camera models. I understand flash units are a way to increase revenues, but irritating users is not a good way. Hope they rethink their strategy in a more coherent and backward-compatible way...

Hector1970 · Dec 28, 2023

danfaz said:
Well yes, but...
So many people say you can buy 4 (Godox/Yongnuo/etc.) for the price of an EL-1. Read the reviews of the Godox V1 on B&H. Tons of reviews saying it broke after the 1st event, especially the foot. One reviewer said he was on his 5th(!) V1.
At that point, he's spent more money on his 5 V1s than if he just bought an EL-1.

"Buy nice or buy twice..."

I've two speedlites (580 EX II) and 4 Yongnues. I don't see any quality difference except the Yongnues are smarter and I can trigger Multiples ones with a trigger. I'm at the point where I wouldn't even consider buying a El-5 or El-1, just would not be worth the price point. Crazy to have compatability issues with an R5. Godox V1 seems a very popular ( I see the reviews, not sure how common that issue is with the foot - weak design or manufacturing issue perhaps - Godox are generally very well made (I've AD200's and a AD100 both excellent).

danfaz · Dec 28, 2023

Hector1970 said:
Godox are generally very well made (I've AD200's and a AD100 both excellent).

I have 2 AD200s, and they are fantastic. I think the V1s in particular just have an issue.

And I'm not trying to beat a dead horse, but sort the reviews by "worst reviews," and you'll see what I'm talking about:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1465916-REG/godox_v1_c_v1_flash_for_canon.html

Hector1970 · Dec 28, 2023

danfaz said:
I have 2 AD200s, and they are fantastic. I think the V1s in particular just have an issue.

And I'm not trying to beat a dead horse, but sort the reviews by "worst reviews," and you'll see what I'm talking about:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1465916-REG/godox_v1_c_v1_flash_for_canon.html

No it's a valid comment, you see the same complaint on some of the Amazon reviews. There are so many positive reviews on both its hard to tell how common an issue it is. You'd almost need to see a break down to see how fragile is it really. There are always monday morning products and you can be unlucky but its a well to read bad reviews before buying.

DhlcadR6 · Dec 28, 2023

Canon changed the flash hot shoe in the worse timing possible... EL-1 is using traditional, which should have been digital like EL-5 as well.

Which leaves R RP R5 R6 in the dust... And the adapter is too expensive for what it is.

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