Fujifilm enable HSS: Meike and Nissin

Fujifilm enable HSS: Meike and Nissin: Meike and Nissin

 Introduction

One of the most requested features for Fujifilm X-mount cameras is to enable HSS (high-speed flash sync). The ability to use your flash at shutter speeds faster than the camera’s native sync opens up a wealth of creative flash techniques with fast lenses at large apertures.

Fujifilm currently does not support this feature in their X-T1 or X-PRO1,  rumor has it due to hardware limitations. But as I’ve shown in my post about enabling HSS with the Nissin i40, it is possible. Though you’ll need to shoot with your flash set to Manual without the ability to use your cameras’ TTL light metering. Nissin stated that their i40 for Fujifilm is indeed HSS capable, but that they are waiting for an update from Fuji.

Now Chinese camera accessory brand Meike also announced a Fujifilm compatible HSS flash called the Meike MK 320 F. It looks like an enable HSS firmware update is imminent, exciting times!

Update: Because of the change of the protocol with the Fujifilm FW 2.0,  the Meike MK320 does not currently work in HSS mode.

Meike MK320 F Speedlite for Fujifilm specs

enable hss

  • High GN: 32
  • TTL
  • Manual Flash (S1/S2 mode)
  • Adjustable Tilt & Swivel Head
  • LCD Lattice screen
  • LED-Assistive preview focus
  • Metal hot shoe
  • Supports synchronization of front and rear curtains
  • Memory function

wim arys

Wim Arys is a photographer from Belgium Europe with a passion for mirrorless cameras.

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9 Responses

  1. Jeffrey Howarth says:

    Have you tested the Sony MIS version? MEIKE MK320-S

  2. RanB says:

    If I understand correctly, on the Meike, one activates the HSS mode (?) on the flash and clicks the shutter on the Fuji (X). Since the shutter speed is faster than the duration of burst of flash (~2 seconds), one hopes that there will be enough number of flashes to illuminate exposed segments of the sensor as the focal plane shutter slit travels across the frame.

    • wim arys says:

      Hi there, In short: the Meike flash can handle HSS, but the older Fuji body does not support this functionality.
      The workaround:
      HSS only works in manual mode hence you won’t be able to use the TTL functionality. In that sense, you’ll need to manually set the balance between your flash power and ambient light according to what you want to achieve.

      • Florian says:

        Hi wim! Thanks for the good information and great blog!
        I’m searching a flash for my daylight streetphotography, wich works off-camera (wire).
        I found your hss workaround for the Nissin i40 – that one can bring the Nissin i40 to fire in hss mode with older fuji cameras. (So I can use shorter shutter speed than flash sync speed with my x-e2 – max. flash sync speed is 1/180, but I can use the trick ab shut with e.g. 1/1000.)

        Sorry for the maybe already answered question, but do I understand correctly, that the same thing/trick is possible with the Meike mk-320?
        For the Godox tt350f I pick up some information, that this doesn’t work – do you have any experience with that?

        Tank’s a lot lot for your work!
        Greets from Austria-Vienna,
        Florian

  3. Seth says:

    Wim, hi, I recently picked up the Meike MK320 flash and am trying to get it to work off-camera (‘wirelessly’) with my Fuji X100F. I can get it to work, but only when the Fuji flash also blasts off with relatively full power. I’m assuming there’s a way to get the Fuji to just pop a very small amount of flash power (like a master) to make the Meike flash, but I can’t figure out how. Please help! Thank you!

    • wim arys says:

      Hi Seth, so you’re triggering the Meike via optical slave? It’s a very basic system that triggers an off camera flash at the settings you dialed in ti that Flash. So you could try to decrease the power on both your master (on camera) ans slave (Meike). But it is going to be difficult to balance them out I’m afraid. It’s more something you would do as an experiment to “see if it works” but it would be less useful in a real shooting situation.

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