1. Product Overview
The Meike MK430 is a high-performance TTL LCD flash speedlite designed to enhance your photography with Canon DSLR cameras. It offers a powerful guide number, versatile flash modes, and advanced wireless triggering capabilities, making it suitable for a wide range of lighting situations.
2. Package Contents
- Meike MK430 for Canon x 1
- Flash stand x 1
- Protection bag x 1
- User manual x 1
3. Setup Guide
3.1 Battery Installation
- Open the battery compartment cover located on the side of the flash unit.
- Insert four (4) AA size batteries, ensuring correct polarity (+/-) as indicated inside the compartment.
- Close the battery compartment cover securely.
3.2 Mounting to Camera
- Ensure both the camera and the flash unit are powered off.
- Slide the flash's hot shoe mount into the camera's hot shoe slot.
- Tighten the locking ring or lever on the flash unit to secure it firmly to the camera.
4. Operating Instructions
4.1 Power On/Off
Press the ON/OFF button on the control panel to power the flash unit on or off. The LCD display will illuminate when powered on.
4.2 Flash Modes
The MK430 supports the following flash modes:
- TTL (Through-The-Lens) Mode: The flash output is automatically controlled by the camera's metering system for optimal exposure.
- M (Manual) Mode: Allows you to manually set the flash output from 1/128 to 1/1 power, with 22 levels of fine tuning.
- MULTI (Stroboscopic) Mode: Fires a series of rapid flashes during a single exposure to capture multiple images of a moving subject.
Press the "MODE" button on the control panel to cycle through the available flash modes.
4.3 Wireless Triggering (S1/S2 Modes)
The flash can be used as a slave unit, triggered by another flash (master flash). The improved wireless triggering sensor offers higher sensitivity, making S1/S2 modes available even outdoors.
- S1 Mode: The flash will fire in sync with the first flash from the master unit. This mode is suitable for manual flash or non-TTL flash systems.
- S2 Mode: The flash will ignore the pre-flash from the master unit and fire in sync with the main flash. This mode is suitable for TTL flash systems that emit a pre-flash.
The wireless triggering distance is approximately 20-25m indoors and 10-15m outdoors.
4.4 Zoom Function
The MK430 supports both manual and auto zoom functions. The zoom head adjusts to match the focal length of your lens, optimizing light coverage.
Press the "ZOOM" button to adjust the zoom setting manually or set it to auto.
4.5 Flash Head Rotation
The flash head offers flexible rotation for bounce flash photography:
- Vertical Rotation: 0 to 90 degrees
- Horizontal Rotation: 0 to 270 degrees
4.6 High-Speed Continuous Shooting
The flash supports high-speed continuous shooting. Set your camera to continuous shooting mode and begin shooting. The flash will synchronize to provide consistent lighting.
5. Maintenance
5.1 Power-Saving Mode
To conserve battery life, the flash will automatically power off if idle for 30 minutes in radio flash mode (S1/S2). In other modes, refer to the device's specific power-saving settings.
5.2 General Care
- Keep the flash unit dry and clean. Avoid exposure to water or excessive humidity.
- Do not expose the unit to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight for prolonged periods.
- Clean the flash head and body with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use solvents or abrasive cleaners.
- Remove batteries if the flash will not be used for an extended period to prevent leakage.
6. Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Flash does not fire |
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| Wireless triggering fails (S1/S2) |
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| Flash output inconsistent |
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7. Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Circuit Design | Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) |
| Guide Number (GN) | 42 (ISO 100, 105mm) |
| Flash Modes | TTL, M, MULTI |
| Wireless Triggering Distance | 20-25m (indoor), 10-15m (outdoor) |
| Vertical Rotation Angle | 0-90 degrees |
| Horizontal Rotation Angle | 0-270 degrees |
| Power Supply | 4 x AA size batteries |
| Lighting Times | 100-1500 times (approx.) |
| Recycle Time | Approx. 4 seconds |
| Color Temperature | 5600K |
| Flash Duration | 1/200s - 1/20000s |
| Flash Control | 1/128 - 1/1 power, 22 levels of fine tuning |
| External Interface | Hot shoe, PC port, External charging port |
| Additional Features | FEC, FEB, Manual Zoom, Auto Zoom, High-speed synchronous (HSS), Display |
| Dimensions (extended) | 165 x 74.6 x 59.2 mm |
| Net Weight | 275g |
| Compatible Brand | Canon |
8. User Tips
- When using the flash in S1/S2 wireless modes, always test synchronization before a critical shoot.
- Ensure a clear line of sight between the master flash and the slave flash's triggering window, especially outdoors, to avoid signal blockage.
- For outdoor wireless triggering, position the flash so its triggering window faces the master flash, and try to shield it from direct sunlight to prevent interference.
- If the desired light direction conflicts with the optimal sensor placement for wireless triggering, experiment with rotating the flash head to achieve both.
- Remember that the flash will automatically power off after 30 minutes of inactivity in S1/S2 modes to save power.
9. Warranty and Support
For warranty information, technical support, or service inquiries, please refer to the contact information provided by your retailer or the manufacturer's official website. Keep your purchase receipt as proof of purchase.
