Close Menu

    Canon Speedlite EL-1 and EL-100 Discontinued in Japan

    By Updated:46 Comments Canon Business General 1 Min Read

    It seems as if the Canon Speedlite EL-1 and EL-100 have been quietly discontinued in Japan, as MAP Camera, Kitamura Camera, Bic Camera, and Yodobashi Camera have marked the two speedlites as discontinued instead of back-ordered. Canon Japan store has the flashes marked as discontinued as well.

    The EL-1 seemed to have been on Canon's backorder list for ages, so the EL-1 going to discontinued status should come as no surprise, but it did surprise me about the EL-100.

    In Canon USA, the EL-1 is showing out-of-stock status but still allows you to select notify when back in stock. The EL-100 in Canon USA is now a placeholder page.

    That being said, your favorite retailer may still be showing inventory, so if you need one of these flashes, now would be the time to pick one up.

    Via: asobinet

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works.

    Go to discussion...

    46 comments

    1. TBH, I don't get that move, if true.
      Okay, I can imagine supply chain issues, therefore HW redesign with new components and parts, etc.

      Maybe one thing about the EL-100, as I mentioned in another thread:
      Making an R50 with new hotshoe connectors only, but no cheap/entry flash with those new connectors, therefore needing that stupid adaptor, was a DOA move, IMO.

      But anything else? Esp. about the EL-1?

      :unsure:
      • 0
    2. I guess both of them were odd balls in their own right, and Canon realized that whomever they allowed to do dumb decisions like the R100, EL-1 and EL-100 should no longer have the reigns of decision making.

      Or we can hope that anyways.
      • 0
    3. Great news, now canon make an affordable flash to compete with AF modelling light in the front (not the head) like the Godox V860iii and redo the AF assist beam to now emit a different colour beam, since the mirrorless can't use red .
      • 0
    4. So we’re down to the EL-5 (600-series replacement) and EL-10 (430-series replacement). Presumably new flashes are on the way, though Canon does not seem to be giving much love to the flash market these days.
      • 0
    5. …and Canon realized that whomever they allowed to do dumb decisions like the R100…..
      Hey ! The R100 is the only Canon ILC without the hated AA filter. People were prepared to pay £200 more for a 5DS with the damned AA filter cancelled out !
      Surely as the highest resolving camera this makes the R100 the flagship of the range ?

      (Saying this as someone who prefers the 5DS to the 5DSr ;-). )
      • 0
    7. Hey ! The R100 is the only Canon ILC without the hated AA filter. People were prepared to pay £200 more for a 5DS with the damned AA filter cancelled out !
      Surely as the highest resolving camera this makes the R100 the flagship of the range ?

      (Saying this as someone who prefers the 5DS to the 5DSr ;-). )
      puke-throw.gif
      • 0
    8. I do find it hilarious that other manufacturers have saved the cost of the AA filter and then claimed its omission as a marketing plus, and the ‘internet’ was nearly as excited about AA-less sensors as they were about DR, whereas Canon take it out of their (very) base model.
      Personally always prefer a sensor with a subtle anti-aliasing effect.
      • 0
    10. Do not understand what Canon is doing with their flashes, but I hope it will fix the Radio issue... Hv held back from buying any Canon Flash till they sorted the radio issue....

      Moving to the new digital mount is a way to force people to upgrade......
      • 0
    12. I have 2 EL1\'s and love the concept, but hate how unreliable the RF wireless connections can be. The flashes disconnect randomly and often without warning, regardless of which channel is used. Many believe this is due to interference from devices like phones and poor (cheap) RF chips that predate many of these types of devices. I\'ve hoped that something that could be fixed in a firmware update. I\'ve waited years for Canon to release an update since this is a critical issue hampering the product\'s primary functionality. Butwith the flash being discontinued, I suspect this is Canon\'s way of abandoning the platform for support.
      • 0
    13. I own a EL-1 and think it is a great flash.
      I assumed they would introduce a Mark2 with digital hotshoe mount.
      I would be sad if thats not the case.

      Agreed. I have a pair, but I'm sad that they won't work without an adapter on the R52 (which I do not own yet).

      I use the mostly on camera with the occasional 600 as a slaves. I've had pretty good luck with wireless connections.

      I absolutely love (and rely on) the fast recycle time. I also like that it can do that feather-light touch of fill, so I can still shoot wide open with it.

      Overall, I think it's a great flash, but pretty damn expensive. I think I'd get a digital shoe version. But I fear selling an EL-1 on the used market would be difficult.
      • 0
    14. I have a pair, but I'm sad that they won't work without an adapter on the R52 (which I do not own yet).
      No need for sadness...just mount the flash. You only need the adapter if you want a weather-sealed connection.
      • 0
    17. I have two R5 MkII's and two EL-1's. They actually work fine without the adapter. My understanding is the only reason you need the adapter is if you need it to be weather sealed.


      That's good to hear. But I'm confused based on what I saw in the manual:


      • The following accessories cannot be attached directly to the multi-function shoe.
        • Speedlite EL-1/600EXII-RT/600EX-RT/580EX II
        • Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT (Ver. 2)/ST-E3-RT
        • Off-Camera Shoe Cord OC-E3
        • GPS Receiver GP-E2
      • To use the accessories listed above with the camera, you will need Multi-Function Shoe Adapter AD-E1, sold separately. For details, refer to the AD-E1 Instruction Manual.


      Do all the functions on the EL-1 work?
      • 0
    18. Do all the functions on the EL-1 work?

      I'm always just shooting manual when I'm shooting with them. I just tested ETTL and also radio triggering my second flash and those both seem to be working fine. Are there other functions that I could do a quick test to check for you?
      • 0
    19. I'm always just shooting manual when I'm shooting with them. I just tested ETTL and also radio triggering my second flash and those both seem to be working fine. Are there other functions that I could do a quick test to check for you?

      Wow, thank you for checking! :)

      Does second curtain work with on-camera in ETTL? And with the electronic shutter?

      Does the Group function work? For example, with ETTL on the on-camera flash and manual on a slave? With wireless 2nd curtain?
      • 0

    Leave a comment

    Please log in to your forum account to comment