First test
PRICE: FROM £979 (SINGLE-HEAD KIT)
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Elinchrom Three We put the Elinchrom Three to the test, exploring its power, versatility and how it stands up against real-word challenges
conventional studio monobloc and provides the most power of the trio – a healthy 522 Watt-seconds (Ws). The One is a more compact unit with a 131Ws output, while the Three is a slightly larger version of the One, but boasting double its power with 261Ws on tap. A neatly designed unit which is barely larger than an f/2.8 telezoom, the Three offers some appealing headline specs in addition to its impressive output. These include more than 11,000 flashes on a single charge of the lithium-ion battery (at the lowest power and with the LED modelling lamp switched off), a recycling time of 1.2 seconds at full power, fast recharging, plus manual and TTL flash options. High-speed sync is also available with the optional Transmitter Pro unit. While conceived primarily as a flash unit, the LED lamp does provide options for video, with the equivalent to 120W of light for up to ten hours on a single charge and variable colour temperature settings between 2700 and 6500K. A Skyport is also built in, with 20 frequency channels and four groups if you want to set up multiple
TESTED BY ROGER PAYNE
Hotshoe flash units offer portable, controllable convenience, but can’t really cut it if you need out-and-out power, versatility or both. This is where units such as the Elinchrom Three step in. Providing ample power plus the ability to attach studio-style modifiers – yet still without a cable in sight – they’re ideal for those serious about getting creative away from mains power. The Three on test here is the third portable flash from Elinchrom, sandwiching itself neatly between its stablemates: the Five and the One. The Five looks more like a “Like many modern portable units, it’s simple to get good results from the Three”
lights. I used the Three with the Skyport Transmitter Plus attached to my camera, though this isn’t included in the single- and dual-head kits. Like many modern portable units, it’s simple to get good results from the Three. The back of the unit features a well-sized touchscreen LCD. In normal use, this allows you to increase or decrease flash output by swiping right or left, and you can also tap the sun icon to turn the modelling lamp on and off. Swiping down from the top of the LCD then allows you to control both the modelling lamp and power simultaneously. If you prefer not to swipe, you can change settings with the control dial. Pressing the Menu button allows you to access deeper functionality, but most features will only be accessed occasionally. To test its power credentials, I gave the unit more of a challenge
than a simple outdoor portrait. Instead, I used it to light an old greenhouse at the bottom of my garden on a bright day. I wanted to overpower the daylight by underexposing the ambient light and using the flash to light it inside and out. The result you see here is a combination of three exposures: two with the light inside the greenhouse, the other with it outside, illuminating the front. In each case, the undiffused bare head was used. I tried various angles and had the flash firing at full power, but the Three handled itself with aplomb. It recycled quickly, triggered flawlessly and illuminated perfectly all with plenty of battery life to spare. The batteries can’t be switched, but any USB-C charger will replenish the cell. You can even keep shooting while it’s plugged in thanks to the unit’s Active Charge feature.
SPECS › Flash output 261Ws › Power range Six stops in 0.1- or 0.3-stop increments › Flash duration 1/8500-1/255sec › Flash modes Manual, TTL, HSS (with Transmitter Pro) › Battery Built-in lithium-ion › Battery capacity Up to 11,250 flashes with LED lamp off › Charging times 135 minutes (fast charge on) › Charging Via USB-C › Radio trigger Built-in Skyport with up to 200m range (outdoors using Transmitter Pro in manual mode, indoors up to 60m) › Dimensions 25.3x16.5x10.5cm with diffusion dome and tilt head › Weight 1.65kg with tilt head
AFTER
BEFORE
Verdict Powerful, simple to use and compatible with a broad range of accessory options, the Three may be designed for on-location use, but is viable in the studio too thanks to its USB-C charging options. Recommended. PROS Compact and lightweight, simple to use, powerful and compatible with a wide range of accessories via adapters CONS Menu system functional without being super intuitive, trigger not included in kit
SHEDDING SOME LIGHT The Elinchrom Three enhances details, illuminating spaces with clarity and depth
38 Photography News | Issue 116
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