If you are thinking of buying your first flash, the Godox Lux Elf could be the perfect choice. This new flash is easy to use and competitively priced. It’s compatible with a wide range of cameras, including Fujifilm, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, and even film cameras.
In this review, I’ll discuss its features, what’s in the box, how to use it, and compare it to another popular Godox model—the Lux Junior.
Specifications at a glance
- Light and compact
- Dimensions: 2.76″ × 3.82″ × 2.09″ (70 x 97 x 53 mm)
- Weight 3.4 oz (96 g)
- GN6 (ISO100)
- Emits light at a Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) of 6,000 K ± 200 K
- Powered by built-in rechargeable 350mAh lithium battery
- Compatible with Fujifilm, Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Sony digital cameras
- Works with camcorders via hot shoe or sync cable
- Manual mode from full power down to 1/16 power
- 2 optical control modes
Competitive price
The Lux Elf is priced at just $49 at B&H, making it one of the most affordable new manual flashes. Most of its competition in this cheaper market segment consists of small, proprietary flashes that can only be used on specific camera brands. The goblin takes down its stablemate, Godox Lux Junior, equals 20 dollars.
Wide compatibility between camera brands
Like other flashes in the Godox Lux line, the Elf has a single pin that makes it compatible with a wide range of cameras. Godox lists Fujifilm, Nikon, Canon, Sony and Olympus in their marketing as compatible with Elf. I used it on the Fujifilm X-T4 and the OM System OM-1 without any problems.
You’ll notice the absence of the Ricoh/Pentax from the list above—although the flash worked on my GRIII, a few times I had to remove the flash from the hot shoe and reinsert it before it worked. . I’m not sure what the problem is.
After shooting a video for the Elf, I was surprised to see new reviews on B&H claiming the Elf was only compatible with Sony full frame cameras. I haven’t tested this feature myself on any Sony products, but keep that in mind before purchasing.
Goblin works well on film cameras. I attached it to my Olympus Trip 35 and Lomo LC-A film cameras without any problems, and I also used it on the Olympus Pen FT via the PC sync cable.
What’s in the Godox Lux Elf Box?
Lux Elf comes in attractive packaging like all Godox products. In the box you will find:
- Lux Elf’s lightning
- USB-C to USB-A charging cable
- A storage bag
- User manual in Mandarin and English
Like other Godox manuals, the text is quite small and I had difficulty reading it even with glasses on. However, you can easily find a PDF version online, which allows you to zoom in for easier reading.
Sleek minimalist design
Lux Elf’s minimalist design is both modern and retro, reminiscent of the late 90s and early 2000s aesthetic with its white and silver finish. It has been jokingly compared to a shower head, and once you get that image in your head it’s hard to shake.
Having said that, I think the design is very stylish, but I also find it difficult to find a camera that looks good. Most of my cameras are black or silver, and the white Goblin looks a bit odd sitting on them. The Goblin looked amazing on the white Canon EOS M3 that Godox used for many promotional shoots.
Featured
Although this is a basic manual flash, it has a few tricks up its sleeve.
The Elf has a silver reflector around the bulb designed to provide soft, natural lighting for your images. Flash power can be adjusted using the silver dial on the back, offering five levels from 1/16 to maximum power.
On the side, you’ll find a USB charging slot for the built-in lithium-ion battery, which provides enough power for about 400 full-power flashes per charge. This is a significant improvement over the Lux Junior, which required AAA batteries and had a battery cover that I found a bit difficult to open and close.
Another useful feature is the PC sync hole, which allows you to use the flash not only on the camera’s hot shoe but also off-camera by connecting it to a PC sync cord.
The main switch on the back serves as the power and test button, with an LED indicator when the flash is fully charged and ready to operate. Above that is the S1/S2 button to use if you want to trigger the Elf in optical control mode from another Godox flash.
Use Lux Elf
In the video I explain how to use Elf, here’s a quick summary.
Attach a flash
Make sure both your camera and the Lux Elf are turned off. Hold the unlock button and slide the flash onto the camera’s hot shoe, then release the button.
Turn on the power
Turn on your camera, followed by the Lux Elf.
Install cameras
Set your camera to manual mode. A good starting point is ISO 100, f/5.6 and 1/100 second. If you want, you can look up the flash manual numerical equation and do all the settings, but for now, this is what I recommend you do.
Adjust flash power
Use the dial on the back to set the flash source. I started at 1/4 strength.
Take test shots and adjust
Take a test shot and review.
If the image is too bright, reduce flash power, increase aperture, or increase shutter speed.
If it’s too dark, increase the flash power, lower the aperture, or slow down the shutter speed.
Sample photo
I tested the Lux Elf on my Ricoh GRIII, taking various shots at the Australian Outback Spectacular on the Gold Coast and another dinner outing. Aside from the problem with the GRIII that I described at the beginning of the article, the flash worked well with great results.
Goblins have a lot of power if my target is nearby. Typically, I will adjust the power of the flash to balance the ambient light for good results.
The only time it struggled was when my subject was further away. With this performer on stage, I had to actually crank up the flash power, slow down the shutter speed, and shoot at a wide open aperture. I didn’t change my ISO as I was testing whether Goblin could do the job here.
Compare with Lux Junior
While both the Lux Elf and Lux Junior are great flashes, which one is right for you depends on a number of factors. Below, I’ve outlined some of the key differences. Make sure you check mine out too Review Godox Lux Junior here on Fstoppers.
Price
The Lux Elf is the cheapest Lux flash, making it a great choice for beginners and photographers on a tight budget. Lux Junior is still affordable; An extra $20 will get you more bang for your buck.
Power
The Lux Junior has a guide count of 12, double the Goblin’s guide count of 6. This makes the Lux Junior a winner if you need more power—especially for more distant subjects.
Speed up
Lux Junior has 7 boosts from 1/64 to full power, while Lux Elf has 5 boosts from 1/16 to full power. In practical terms, this probably won’t matter too much to you.
Automatic mode
The Lux Junior includes an auto mode, although as I noted in my Lux Junior review, it’s handy without being overly complicated. Lux Elf is strictly handmade.
Design
The classic look of the Lux Junior contrasts with the sleeker, more modern design of the Lux Elf.
Energy sources
The Lux Junior uses AAA batteries, so opening and closing the battery compartment can be difficult. The Lux Elf has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which is a great new feature for the Lux line.
What I like
- May pay
- Good results
- Rechargeable batteries
- Easy to use
What I don’t like
- The text size in the user manual is very small
- I’m not sure if there are potential compatibility issues with the Ricoh GRIII—also note the unverified reviews on B&H regarding issues with the Sony ZV-1 series
Final thoughts
The Godox Lux Elf is a great flash for beginners and photography enthusiasts looking for an affordable, user-friendly option. Its stylish design, ease of use, and compatibility with a wide range of cameras make it a great choice for those new to flash photography.
While it may lack some of the advanced features of its stablemate, Lux Junior, it does have some advantages. It’s cheaper, lighter, and the rechargeable lithium-ion battery is a big improvement.
