Elinchrom One

Is anyone here familiar with this strobe? If so, what is your opinion? Thank you.

I love Elinchrom, but with the serious low priced competition available now from Godox/Flashpoint, I just can't justify their pricing. This comes from someone with 9 Elinchrom strobes, two older Elinchrom EL Skyport transmitters and a newer EL Skyport Transmitter Pro. I feel that the Godox/Flashpoint AD200 Pro flash unit with its numerous inexpensive accessories and endless adaptability completely obsoletes the Elinchrom One.

I am trading in a few lenses that I don’t use and will have a credit to use. It will be enough to get a 500 watt, or the 2 light kit of Ones with a transmitter. I doubt if I will have an opportunity to buy Elinchrom strobes again. There is absolutely nothing else I need or want. I would love to get your opinion of the One kit.
Thank you very much.

I have used Elinchrom stuff before it is good quality. I like them. But that can be said for a lot of strobes. I have not used the ONE but isn’t it the battery/mobile mono light? Are you looking to take these lights on location with you at some point in the future? If not, why does this light intrigue you?

Separately, Terry, it seems like you are buying a lot of “lighting hardware”. While there is nothing inherently wrong with that, can you say what this monolight will do for you that the lights you already have won’t? There are tons of brands of lights out there Godox/flashpoint (as mentioned above), buff, Elinchrom, speedos, Profoto, etc. good deals can be found in the used market too. If this light will get you something that you can’t do with what you have now, then it’s a fine purchase. But what is that “something” that you seek and aren’t finding with what you have now?

I’m retired and handicapped. Photography is my hobby and I’m just a gear head. Lighting is one area I want to explore so I can do portraits of my large family. I just want the Elinchrom One, I really don’t need them. You make good points though and I really appreciate your reply.

Ok, nothing wrong with exploring. The key feature of the Elinchrom One, I think, is the battery/mobile nature of it. You likely don’t need that, now, or potentially ever. Why pay for a feature that you actually don’t need? If you do find yourself needing that once or twice you can do what many pros do and rent what you need for a particular shoot.

So, if you want a more powerful monolight/studio strobe than you have now, consider getting one. You have lots of choices. Remember, “light is light”. A company like Paul Buff makes a range of products that many folks use (including many pros). I have used them to great effect over the years. The Einstein is a terrific light and it also has that Pyrex dome if that’s important to you and what you shoot. The alien bee line is basic but totally fine. The white lightning line is built like a tank and also basic.

I know that lifting weight is an issue for you as well. Have you considered strobes and power packs? The power pack stays on the floor (the heavy part) and the lighter weight strobe goes up on the stand. You can find old Speedotrons used (they will outlive the planet … good durability) quite inexpensive. But packs can be a bit more finicky (in my experience) than monolights…. But, maybe you want to learn that?

If your heart is set on elinchrom for whatever reason, consider buying one of their corded offerings?

Well, I’m limited to what B&H carries because the proceeds of a trade in is going to pay for my new lights. I’ll see if they carry any of the brands that you mentioned. A pro photographer on the old DPR recommended the One. That’s how I even know about them. I always value your opinion and appreciate your reply.
Terry

Also, an external battery doesn’t bother me one bit.

They have the Westcott FJ400s. Other than that, only very high end strobes which are out of my reach.

Wow, the Paul C Buff Einstein strobe is extremely nice. I think I would rather have that. 500 watts, HSS, TTL. Yea, that’s a monster.

You're not missing out on anything by not having Elinchrom strobes. There is nothing special about them. The only reason Elinchrom is even still relevant is because they have exceptional light modifiers. And that is why I say I love Elinchrom. My 59" indirect deep Octa and my 39" deep Octa which I purchased an indirect speed ring for are both amazing. Sure, their strobes are fine, but I much prefer my Godox/Flashpoint strobes over my Elinchroms. I'd happily swap out all my Elinchrom strobes for Godox/Flashpoint.

Not sure what you mean by this. If you are referring to, say, the speedotron packs that I mentioned, those aren’t “batteries”, just power packs that plug into the wall.

If you need a battery powered strobe, by all means get one. But if you are not planning to take them on-location/outdoors (where there is no power and no ability to run an extension cord) then a monolight with a good old fashion plug will likely be lighter.

Double check those specs. I don’t recall the Einstein having those. Buff makes a whole range of lights though. The ones I’ve used are all totally fine for the typical studio photographer. I used buff products for YEARS and never had an issue. Bees, White Lightning, Einsteins. The buff company is a bit odd in my opinion with some of its graphics, product names, fonts, colors, etc (legacy of Paul himself, I think). But the products are good and always performed well for me.

If you are in or near the Nashville, TN area, I’m guessing that you can also just go to their store and buy what you need. Or, there are lots of good used buff lights on EBay. Seems like the going sale price for an Einstein used is about $275-$350.

Thank you X-ray. That’s good to know.

I did check the specs, and the new ones do have those features. I’m most likely going to request a check for the gear I sent to B&H and get them. (2)

I’ve had 3 Godox strobes. Had problems with the hot shoe and had to buy a bunch of spare parts. I had one dead battery charger so I bought another one, and it was dead too. I decided then that I was done with Godox. I won’t even buy their modifiers.