Hong Kong: Following the demonstration of their FN-920 and FN-950 prototypes at Photokina, photographic supplier MeiKe have released a manual flash, the MK930, to the market. Armed to the teeth with manual modes, optical slaves and power zoom, it sits next to the YN-560 for Strobist-friendly features, but at the slightly lower price point of US$69.99 shipped. Yongnuo’s YN speedlight range has now been improved with metal feet and increased reliability. Can MeiKe compete with their first venture into off-camera flash? Or will it turn out merely to be a poor imitation?
Features
- Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/128 power, plus “fine tuning”
- Electronic zoom: 24/28/35/50/70/85/105mm
- Prontor/Compur (PC) synchronisation port
- Two optical slave modes (claimed range 15m outdoors, 30m indoors)
- Supports 8 fps continuous shooting when set below 1/8 power
- Compatible with Nikon SD-8A type external battery packs
- Overheating protection
- Power saving mode
- Plastic flash foot with locking ring
- Looks like a Nikon SB-900 to the untrained eye
It is worth noting that the YN-560 takes Canon-type battery packs, whereas the MK-930 takes Nikon ones. Yongnuo YN-560s numbered YN12840000 onwards have metal hotshoe feet, whereas the MK930’s feet appear to be made of plastic.
Specifications
| Guide Number | 58 (105mm) |
|---|---|
| Power levels | Full – 1/128 |
| Modes | Manual, S1, S2 |
| Swivel | 0 – 270° |
| Tilt | 0 – 90° |
| Batteries | 4 * AAs |
| Colour | 5600K |
| Flash Duration | 1/200~1/2000 sec |
| Recycle speed | ~3 sec |
| Guide Number | 58 |
| Dimensions | 200 * 75 * 57mm |
| Net weight | 340g |
Where to buy
The MeiKe MK930 costs US$69.99 shipped and is available now on eBay, or you can get it for $59.00 plus postage from LinkDelight’s online store.