The Godox Lux Elf is a compact and straightforward flash designed for beginners in flash photography. It’s easy to use and compatible with any camera equipped with a hot shoe, making it versatile and accessible. The integrated rechargeable battery ensures it’s ready to go without needing external power sources. However, it’s not the most powerful flash, lacks TTL (Through-The-Lens) metering, and the flash head doesn’t move, which might limit some creative control.
Our Verdict
Popping a flash on your hot shoe is a quick and easy way to boost the quality and style of your photography, especially when it comes to portraits. However, the first steps to learning how to use a flash can be incredibly complicated and confusing, and that’s where the Godox Lux Elf comes into play.
The flash is incredibly simple and features just a single contact on the base. When you push it onto your hot shoe, be it Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, or another brand, it is instantly recognised and uses the standard ISO protocol to fire the flash when required.
There is no camera adjustment, and if you want through-the-lens (TTL) metering from this flash, then that’s not what it’s about. You’ll also get no adjustment over tilt or rotation, and there’s no diffusion or bounce – this is just a simple, straightforward flash.
However, that simplicity is incredibly powerful. The simple rotation dial enables you to go from a power of 1/16 all the way through to full power, which is a guide number (GN) of 6. You’ve got plenty of adjustment when working with close-range portraits – it’s more than enough to make a significant difference to the look and style of your images.
The flash is a great sidekick for your kit, ready to be pulled out when needed. It’s meant for something other than professional use, more for anyone just wanting to get that flash look in their pictures without the fuss and complexity of larger models.
Overall, there’s a lot to like about the Lux Elf. It’s small, compact, and easy to use, and the results are surprisingly good. It offers plenty of flexibility while lacking some of the more advanced features we’re used to in flashguns. It’s certainly a great option for anyone starting, but it’s a lot smaller than the majority of other flashes on the market.
For
- Simple to use
- Works with any camera with a hot shoe
- Integrated rechargeable battery
Against
- Not overly powerful
- No TTL
- No movement in the head
What is the Godox Lux Elf Flash?
Specification
- Guide Number (GN): 6 (ISO100, in meters)
- Battery: Built-in Lithium Battery, 7.4V⎓350mAh
- Charging Port: USB-C, 5V⎓2A
- Flash Power Steps: 5 (1/16—FULL)
- Colour Temperature (CCT): 6000K±200K
- Recycle Time (1/1 step): 3.6s
- Flash Times (1/1 step): 400
- Dimensions: 2.76”×3.82”×2.09” (70.1mm × 97.03mm × 53.09mm)
- Weight: 96g
Build and Handling
The Godox Lux Elf boasts a sleek, retro design that’s both compact and stylish. Measuring just 70.1mm × 97.03mm × 53.09mm and weighing in at a mere 96g, it adds little bulk or weight to your camera. The materials used are of good quality, providing a sturdy feel despite its small size. The electronics are well-integrated, with a single contact point ensuring compatibility across a range of cameras.
There’s also a small internal battery that can be charged via the USB Type-C port. While the battery only has a capacity of 350mAh, it’s more than enough to power this flash through 400 full-power flashes.
In terms of handling, the Lux Elf is designed for simplicity and ease of use. It’s incredibly intuitive, with a straightforward dial on the back for adjusting power levels. There are a few other design features of note, including the optical sensor on top of the flash that enables it to be fired by other flashes and the small hotshoe lock, essentially a pin that holds the flash in position once seated in the hotshoe.
Features
The Lux Elf stands out with its minimalist design, focused on delivering essential functionality without the complexities of more advanced flashguns. Its compatibility with any hot shoe-equipped camera makes it versatile, though it lacks TTL metering and camera-based adjustments.
Power adjustments are handled via a simple dial, offering five steps from 1/16 to full power, with a guide number of 6 at ISO 100. The built-in 7.4V 350mAh lithium battery provides up to 400 flashes at full power, and charging is quick and convenient through a USB-C port.
The flash produces a colour temperature of 6000K with a ±200K variation, ensuring a consistent light output. The recycle time is approximately 3.6 seconds at full power, which is respectable for such a compact unit. The optical control modes, S1 and S2, allow for versatile use with other flash units, adding to its overall flexibility. There’s also a standard sync port on the side if you want to expand the system.
Performance
It’s essential to remember that the Lux Elf is an entry-level flash designed for plug-and-play simplicity. It’s best used with smaller mirrorless cameras, making it an excellent choice for anyone just venturing into the world of flash.
Using the Lux Elf is straightforward: slide it into your camera’s hot shoe, and it’s ready to fire. The brightness is adjusted manually using the dial on the back. While this can require some trial and error, the retro-reflector design effectively balances the light on your subject and background.
The maximum power output is relatively low compared to larger flashes, but it’s sufficient for adding a touch of light to portraits and macro shots. The lack of advanced features and the inability to tilt or rotate the head might be limiting for some users, but the simplicity and ease of use make it a refreshing option for beginners.
When it comes to light throw, the small head design keeps the spread of light limited, which makes it best for use at close quarters rather than when used further back from the subjects. However, for such a small flash, it makes the most of that GN6 power. However, it’s worth noting that the quality of the flash once again highlights this as something for those getting started with flash photography rather than for Pros.
Despite its small size, the Lux Elf’s optical modes allow it to be used as part of a larger system. The pre-flash optical mode adds just that little more if you’re using this for portraits. The inclusion of a sync port adds flexibility, making it possible to use it with other flash triggers and setups.
The performance of the Godox Lux Elf is surprisingly good. Starting with the negatives, which include the fixed position of the head and lack of any light modifier or attachments, which actually is alright when you’re just starting. The retro design of the head produces a spread of light similar to a traditional flash of the same style, so while there’s no creative control over the direction of the light, the fact that it is so simple actually gives images produced using this flash their style and design.
On the plus side, the flash will work with almost any camera with a hotshoe; it’s incredibly easy to use and fun. Most importantly, using it makes a huge difference in the quality of your images, especially portraits and macro shots.
Final Thoughts
The Godox Lux Elf is a fantastic little flash for anyone just getting into flash photography. It’s incredibly easy to set up – simply slip it into your camera’s hot shoe, and it’s ready to go. Adjusting the brightness is straightforward, with a guide number of 6 providing enough power for most casual photography needs.
The battery life is impressive, offering up to 400 full-power flashes on a single charge and quick recharging via USB-C. This flash is aimed squarely at beginners or those who need a simple, compact flash to add a bit of extra light without the complexity of larger units.
Its small size makes it easy to carry around, and its retro design is both stylish and functional. While it lacks advanced features like TTL, tilt, and rotation, its ease of use and portability make it a valuable addition to any photographer’s kit. The Godox Lux Elf is an excellent solution for those looking to step into flash photography without a steep learning curve or significant investment.
