ELINCHROM ELB 400 PRO To Go SET
For open-ended options, Elinchrom takes the view that three heads are better than one
unlike monobloc flash heads with built-in control panels, this kit has a separate ELB 400 power pack that combines all the control circuitry, user interface and OLED display with a clip-on Li-ion battery. It’s able to drive one or two Quadra heads which, in turn, are relatively tiny and weigh just 250g each.
The Pro kit comes with the most general purpose Quadra Pro head; alternatives include Action and HS (Hi-sync) Quadra heads. The Action head has the shortest flash duration for freezing action, but with a reduced maximum output. The HS head delivers a long flash duration, enabling it to be used with very fast shutter speeds. As well as freezing motion, advantages include the option of using wide apertures under sunny conditions, and darkening daylight scenes.
The Pro and Action kits come with the same RF remote trigger/controller as the D-lite kit, but the Hi-sync kit requires a Canon-dedicated Elinchrom Skyport Plus HS Transmitter, sold separately for £220/$250. Advanced flash modes include multi (stroboscopic), programmable delay between first and rear shutter curtain, and sequential, using multiple kits.
£1420/$1500
Performance
Maximum power output from the Pro head is strong, at Gn 64, with fast recycling of 1.6 seconds. This gives a battery life of 350 shots at full power with a single head. You can get more shots per charge by using the ‘eco’ mode, in which recycling from a full-power flash takes 3.2 seconds. A full recharge takes 90 minutes.