Elinchrom FIVE

Portability and flexibility are hallmarks of this battery powered flash head. This go-anywhere unit features 522 Ws (watt seconds/joules) output and recycles in a mere 1.6 second at full power. Its removable lithium-ion battery delivers up to 450 flashes at full power and an incredible 14,600 flashes at minimum power. TIPA members were impressed by its fast battery recharge time, a quick 70 minutes for an 80% recharge and full charge in a bit over an hour and a half, with recharging possible during shooting sessions regardless of the battery’s power level. Pros will also appreciate the unit’s high-speed synch of up to 1/8000 second, a proactive cooling system, and the availability of built-in Bluetooth for control settings via Elinchrom’s Studio app.