Comparison Elinchrom Flash Kits: D-Lite RX 4 vs ELC 500 vs FIVE. Which one to choose?

Are you looking to invest in an Elinchrom flash kit, but can’t decide between the various options available? Look no further!

Whether you’re a novice photographer looking to upgrade your flash equipment, or a professional looking to improve your lighting, choosing the right flash kit is an essential step. With the wide range of models on offer from Elinchrom, it can be hard to find your way around.

This article guides you through a detailed comparison of three popular kits: the D-Lite RX 4 First Studio Kit, the ELC 500 Studio Portrait Kit and the FIVE Outdoor Portrait Kit.

We review at what each kit contains, their main technical features, their budget, their strengths and the types of photography for which they are best suited.

This comparison of the three most popular Elinchrom flash kits will make it easier for you to choose between the D-Lite RX 4 First Studio Kit, the ELC 500 Studio Portrait Kit and the FIVE Outdoor Portrait Kit.

Each Elinchrom kit has its own specific features and is designed to meet specific needs.

While some are optimized for studio work, others offer greater flexibility for outdoor shooting.

Power, recycling speed, compatibility with accessories and power supply mode are all criteria to consider when making the right choice.

1. D-Lite RX 4 First Studio Kit: The ideal starter kit

The first Elinchrom flash kit we’re going to look at is the D-Lite RX 4 First Studio Kit. This is the most affordable of the three kits presented, with a price tag of 499€.

As the name suggests, and the price confirms, this kit is perfectly designed for beginner photographers wishing to equip themselves with a first quality flash kit without blowing their budget, allowing them to learn the basics of studio lighting while offering ease of use.

What’s in the D-Lite RX 4 First Studio Kit:

• D-Lite RX 4 flash (400W power)
• Transmitter Plus for remote flash triggering
• Rotalux Go Recta softbox (55×75 cm) for soft, even lighting
• Rotalux Go adapter for use with different light modellers
• Adjustable tripod (88-235 cm) for optimum flash positioning

Why choose the D-Lite RX 4 First Studio Kit?

The D-Lite RX 4 flash is the heart of this kit. With its 400 W of power, it offers excellent luminosity for portraits, product shoots or even small stagings. Its intuitive design and ease of use make it an excellent choice for learning to master studio lighting without getting lost in complex settings.

The D-Lite RX 4 is supplied with the Rotalux Go Recta softbox and is compatible with numerous Elinchrom light modifiers, allowing you to explore more creative possibilities as you progress in your use of the flash.

In short, the D-Lite RX 4 First Studio Kit is an excellent starting point for photographers wishing to get started in studio lighting on a limited budget, while retaining the possibility of evolving and upgrading their equipment later on.

2. ELC 500 Studio Portrait Kit: The professional studio flash

The second Elinchrom kit we’re about to discover is the ELC 500 Studio Portrait Kit. More powerful and more advanced than the D-Lite RX 4, this kit is designed for photographers working mainly in the studio and looking for a high-performance, responsive flash.

Its technical performance is far superior to that of the D-Lite RX 4, and this is directly reflected in its price, which is almost twice as high.

What’s in the ELC 500 Studio Portrait Kit:

• 500 W ELC 500 flash
• Elinchrom Transmitter
• Rotalux Deep Octa 100cm softbox for flexible lighting
• Adjustable tripods (88-235 cm)
• Carrying case

Why choose the ELC 500 Studio Portrait Kit?

TheELC 500 Studio Portrait Kit is a powerful, flexible option for photographers looking for professional-quality studio lighting. With its 500 W of power, it can illuminate larger subjects or work with smaller apertures to achieve sharper images.

Its fast recycling time and short flash duration make it ideal for photographers capturing moving subjects or dynamic scenes.

Equipped with state-of-the-art functions such as TTL, Manual Lock, High-Speed Sync (HSS), Smart Pro-Active Cooling andAuto-On, the ELC 500 flash guarantees flawless performance.

In short, the ELC 500 Studio Portrait Kit is an excellent choice for studio photographers looking for power, speed and flexibility. With its 500 W, it is particularly suited to intermediate and professional photographers requiring precise lighting for portraits, fashion shoots or product photography.

3. FIVE Outdoor Portrait Kit: The all-in-one solution for outdoor and studio use

The FIVE Outdoor Portrait Kit is the latest model in our comparison, and also one of Elinchrom’s most popular. With a price tag of 1799€, it’s the most expensive of the three kits, but the higher price is justified by its performance and design, which is equally suited to studio and outdoor use.

The Elinchrom FIVE can be considered a wireless version of the Elinchrom ELC 500. Their technical characteristics are very similar, and for many, the FIVE could even replace the ELC 500 in the studio.

Unlike other Elinchrom flash kits, the FIVE is battery-powered, making it an ideal choice for photographers who need powerful, portable lighting for their outdoor sessions. Like the ELC 500, it offers 500 W of power for professional lighting.

What’s in the FIVE Outdoor Portrait Kit:

• FIVE flash
• FIVE battery
• Skyport Plus transmitter for wireless synchronization
• Deep Silver 125 cm umbrella for soft, high-contrast lighting
• 125 cm Deep umbrella diffuser to soften the light
• Adjustable tripod (88-235 cm) for stable flash installation

Why choose the FIVE Outdoor Portrait Kit?

The FIVE Outdoor Portrait Kit is designed for photographers who need powerful, flexible lighting, whether in the studio or on location. With its 500 W power output and rechargeable battery, it’s perfect for photographers on the move, who can work without being dependent on mains power.

Thanks to its mobility and power, it delivers professional results in all circumstances.

In short, the FIVE Outdoor Portrait Kit is an ideal choice for photographers looking for a lighting solution that’s both powerful and portable.

4. Technical comparison: D-Lite RX 4 First Studio Kit VS ELC 500 Studio Portrait Kit VS FIVE Outdoor Portrait Kit

5. Conclusion

Whichever Elinchrom flash kit you choose from the D-Lite RX 4 First Studio Kit, theELC 500 Studio Portrait Kit and the FIVE Outdoor Portrait Kit, each kit contains a flash, a transmitter, a light modeller and a tripod.

The choice of Elinchrom kit will therefore mainly depend on which lamp best suits your shooting needs and level of expertise.

The choice between these three Elinchrom flashes will depend on your specific needs:

• Mobility: The FIVE is the only battery-powered flash, ideal for outdoor shoots.
• Power: The ELC 500 and FIVE are equivalent (522 Ws), and superior to the D-Lite RX 4.
• Versatility: ELC 500 and FIVE offer advanced modes (HSS, TTL).
• Speed: The ELC 500 has a slightly faster recycling time than the FIVE.

In a nutshell:

• For mobility: Choose the FIVE.
• For studio use: The ELC 500 is excellent.
• For a tighter budget: The D-Lite RX 4 may be suitable, but with fewer features.