Best compact flash tools for photography over the years

When comes to flash, it has to be robust and quality, while Citi100Pro/ Ad100Pro is directly optimized compared with the Elinchrom One.

When shooting outdoors, often photographers will want to choose lightweight, compact accessories for travel. And camera flash is a necessary accessory for both outdoor and indoor shooting. There are some camera flashes that are suitable for daily use but for small, and lightweight. Photographers will normally be wondering from Citi100 Pro/ Godox AD100Pro with Elinchrom One.

In fact, the Citi100 Pro is the rebranded version of the Godox AD100Pro flash unit. Meanwhile, both units are manufactured together so that each version offers the same high quality and specifications. As the Citi100 Pro is the same achieving the top pick in 2018 by PixaPro. It also allows utilising the same modifiers and accessories that would be compatible with the AD100Pro, such as Godox 2.4GHz Triggers.

We here at EssentialPhoto are also able to offer a 24 Month UK Based Warranty Period for each of our Lighting units. It allows us to offer detailed and professional advice and support throughout this period. From here, you can generally figure out the key main strengths and weaknesses of these brands and also choose the appropriate flash.  

Power Output 

As the name implied the maximum power consumption of the Citi100Pro/ AD100Pro and the Elinchrom One is the same at 100Ws. Both units are more than capable of lighting studio shoots as well as on location. At this power level, both Citi100Pro/ AD100Pro filled enough the gap of photographers who require a 100Ws off-camera strobe. 

Combat Design 

The first thing to mention when talking about a pocket-size camera flash is its weight and dimension. And the Citi100Pro/ AD100Pro weighs 542g including the battery and the dimension is 76mmx120mm. The Citi100 Pro is about the size of a typical drink can. When it comes to portability, the Citi100 pro is the best strobe flash. The Citi100Pro/ AD100Pro is perfect for carrying on location. Because it weighs only 524g and is portable enough to fit in your pocket or camera bag. TTL Auto-Exposure is a function of the Citi100 Pro/ AD100Pro. This feature works with several well-known camera brands, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, Fuji, and Pentax.

Furthermore, the Citi100Pro/ AD100Pro released with an LCD panel. It allows photographers easy-to-use buttons with a full range of functions like reliable Channel Triggering, Group mode selectivity. This is perfect for fast shooting situations where you do not have time to fiddle around with camera settings to achieve a nice exposure, such as at weddings or gatherings, etc. Other camera manufacturers, like Hasselblad, Phase One, and Leica, among others, can use it manually as well.

The next one is the Elinchrom One which is known for its portability. Because it is ready to travel with photographers anytime and everywhere, weighing about 1.5kg and the size of 70-200mm. In reality, the Elinchrom is nearly double heavier than the Citi100Pro/ AD100Pro. Additionally, the detachable tilt head with a 7-8 mm umbrella mount makes this product more convenient to hold. You can easily access the ONE's settings thanks to its touchscreen and rapid menu layout. It ensures that you never miss an opportunity to capture the moment.

Battery 

When using a compatible camera and the High-speed Sync (HSS) feature of the Citi100 Pro, you can shoot at shutter speeds faster than the sync speed of your camera. It is perfect for shooting in bright conditions where you want to use shutter speed to block out the ambient light. The battery of the Citi100 PRO is rechargeable and uses a high-capacity 2600mAh 7.2v Li-ion battery. These approximately 360 full-Powered flashes per charge with the recycle time between 0.01 to 1.5 seconds. And the Citi100 Pro has a zoomable feature that allows changing the light's beam angle from 28 to 85mm. This gives you the choice of having a broad light coverage or a focused, small area of light. 

Moreover, the Elinchrom One built-in Li-ion Battery enhances protection from the weather while on location. It produced high flashes per charge up to 725 full-power flashes on a single charge. Not only that feature but the Elinchrom One also can be charged from any power source. It is ideally for photographers to keep shooting. Without specialised extra batteries or chargers, you can charge the Elinchrom One from any USB-C source and keep shooting.

Wireless Control 

The AD100Pro/ Citi100Pro can work with major camera brands by connecting with X1, X2T, or XPRO triggers. Because it is built in the same Godox 2.4G wireless technology as other Godox products. While the Elinchrom One built-in Skyport enables wireless control. You can utilise the one in 4 groups and across 20 channels with Skyport. This feature has used a range of up to 60m indoors combined with the Transmitter Pro on your camera. In other ways, it is even more impressive extending to 200 meters when used outside. 

Modifier Compatibility 

The Cit100 Pro has a magnetic modifier mount that works with all of the roundhead accessory kit's modifiers. You can switch out modifiers quickly and simply with the Magnetic mount method. If used in conjunction with the Pixapro Round-Head Smart Bracket, which you can buy available separately in our store or online, the Citi100 Pro can use with Bowens S-Type modifiers, giving you access to a lot lighter shaping tools.

At Pixapro, we have ONE system compatible which allows photographers to choose the product from our brand but still can work with the Citi100 PRO. This product includes the Pixapro ONE system used in the Pixapro Ecosystem. Some other products that can go with are Pixapro Speedlites, Battery flashes or studio flashes. Additionally, the Pixapro ST-III, ST-III Plus, and ST-IV flash triggers are compatible with the Citi100 Pro. The Citi100 Pro supports firmware updates, making it possible to add adjustments and new functions as they become available in the future, guaranteeing that your light has all the features regardless of when the item was first purchased.

More Information: ST-III vs ST-IV - Which to Choose?

In contrast, the Elinchrom ONE design works with the recently released Elinchrom OCF modifier mount. It is also compatible with the majority of Profoto bayonet light shapers, substantially expanding your selection of light shaping equipment.

Quality 

The core of every excellent image you produce is light shaping. The Elinchrom ONE guarantees that you receive the exquisite light quality for which Elinchrom is renowned. It is built around an open flash tube for maximum light distribution. This product designs to work with the recently released Elinchrom OCF modifier mount. It is also compatible with the majority of Profoto bayonet light shapers, substantially expanding your selection of light shaping equipment.

Moreover, with its 131 Ws of capacity that produces a light output typically associated with 200+ Ws units. And with the Diffusion Dome connected, the ONE can achieve F-11.9 at 1 metre (3.3 ft) and 100 ISO. When paired with the HP Reflector, the attainable F-Stop increases to F-45.2. The Elinchrom ONE prepare for longer sessions thanks to its 725 full-power flashes per charge, and its Li-Ion battery offers better protection from the elements while working outdoors.

Final Words

To sum up, for photographers who is always moving, the Citi100 Pro is the ideal ultra-compact and lightweight flash option which very suitable for photographers in weddings, portraits, events, fashion, sports, fitness & advertising industry. But the Elinchrom One is the competitor in the same field as its small size and light. And one more special feature of Citi100Pro/ AD100Pro is its built-in Bluetooth receiver which will allow photographers to take control of their phones. Especially, users can store and load any customised setup to save time for their subsequent session.

EssentialPhoto and PiXAPRO are pleased to be a direct partner of Godox in the United Kingdom, with the largest collection of Godox stock available in the UK, so you can be confident with the support and assistance we provide. As we are representing Godox at The Photography Show 2022, this further shows our partnership and commitment to the Godox Brand, and we are always looking to expand this further.