ikan News Blog

Now you kan!

For those in need of a high quality, cost effective entry level high definition monitor, ikan proudly introduces the VH7. The ikan line of HD monitors is all about connections and the VH7 is no exception. Equipped with an HDMI, VGA, and 2 COMPOSITE INPUTS, ikan’s VH7 will exceed the expectations of even the most demanding users.  This 7 inch monitor boasts a sparkling resolution of 1024×600 with both 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios, and can be powered with the provided AC107 DV battery plate for use with your of choice of Sony, Canon, or Panasonic style batteries. The new VH7, a complete out-of-the-box self powered HDSLR field monitoring solution… from ikan.

Built With You in Mind.

For those in need of a single HDMI monitor solution the VH7 is for you! Now you can run an HDMI, VGA or COMPOSITE without the clutter of additional connections that you don’t need. One simple connection provides a brilliant screen resolution giving you a clear and accurate image representation. And where does the cost of those unneeded connections go? In your pocket! The VH7 is one of the most affordable 7 inch HD monitors on the market giving you the ability to stretch your production budget even farther.

The VH7 Has You Covered.

The days of purchasing a separate battery plate for your monitor are over. In addition to the included AC adapter, the VH7 comes complete with our popular BP2T adapter plate! Whether you are shooting with a Canon, Panasonic or Sony DV camera, ikan has you covered. Simply specify which battery plate you would like (Your choice of either the Sony L, Sony BP-U, Canon 900, or Panasonic D54 series batteries) ,and you will receive a complete, self-powered HDSLR field monitor with the quality and reliability you have come to expect from ikan.

VH7 Key Features:

• 1024×600 Screen Resolution
• HDMI Input
• VGA Input
• 2 Composite Inputs
• Included BP2T Battery Plate (specify Canon, Panasonic, or Sony battery)

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For Additional Information, please contact:
Brian Upchurch

713.272.8822  ext. 105
brian@ikancorp.com

For images, pricing and more information, click here.

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Director/Producer/Cameraman Federico Pardo used the ikan V5600 Deluxe Kit during the production of the documentary COTTON-TOP.   In the following essay, Fredrico describes the challenges of shooting in the treacherous jungles of Colombia and how the ikan V5600 performs in the harshest of conditions.

The film was shot in November of 2009 in the Tropical Dry Forests of Colombia were physically challenging and the overall ruggedness of the production required a lightweight and reliable external monitor. IKAN production tool for this natural history documentary shot on the new DSLR Canon 7D. As one of the pioneers on DSLR filmmaking I would highly recommend the IKAN demanding field productions.

As mentioned above, the DSLR Canon 7D was the camera used for the production.  During principal photography the camera was the ideal production tool for advanced cinematography. When shooting with the custom made jib in the field, IKAN allowed me to carry it everywhere, its 5.6” screen was the cinematographer when doing macro-cinematography, it from a more comfortable position.

To better understand why IKANʼs V5600 Deluxe Kit was vital during the production, here is a summary of a standard production day. To get to the locations (open savannas, tropical forests or rural areas), we would normally hike a couple of miles or drive on backcountry roads. It was important to carry the gear (camera, monitor, sound, support and lights) with us at all times since I needed to be ready to shoot anytime.

Most valued features of the ikan V5600 Deluxe Kit:

− Compact size and lightweight.
− Easy and fast installation.
− Battery and AC powered.
− Camera shoe mount support.
− Comes with ready-to-install cables.
− HDMI mini component.

The design and performance of the IKAN V5600 monitor is outstanding. Nonetheless,regarding the overview and the use of the V5600 for documentary film production in the field, there are a few elements that are worth reviewing.

1. Monitorʼs ¼ 20 Screw Mount: the first issue I had right after opening the V5600 Kit was mounting the monitor on camera shoe mount. The monitorʼs plastic body is hiding/covering the real thread where the ¼ 20 screw goes. Screwing in the shoe mount wasnʼt easy and it made the plastic squeak showing signs of weakness. Overall, this attachment system doesnʼt feel strong and it would greatly enhanced with a metal piece that holds the screw not only deep inside the monitorʼs body.

2. Monitorʼs ¼ 20 Screw Mount: Additional to the previous comment. Having ¼ 20 screw mounting holes in every side of the monitor would be really helpful.

3. Brightness/Exposure Check: IKANʼs V5600 works great to achieve critical focus, check the frame and supervise camera motion. However, it was extremely dangerous to rely in the exposure by using the monitor. The brightness of the display is not accurate with that of the camera so it is difficult to trust it. This could be fixed with a menu through which brightness/contrast/saturation can be adjusted.

4. Screen adhesive protector: fingerprints, dust, and fog are terrible enemies for a screen. It would have been really useful to have a couple of “invisible” screen protectors. Investing in a screen is as important as taking care of it. I still havenʼt found a protector of the proper size without having to invest in a bigger one (more expensive) and cutting it.

As mentioned before, Iʼm completely satisfied with the performance of the V5600 monitor and it is certain that its kit will be part of my upcoming productions. The main purpose of this feedback is to help ikan stay at the front of the market for documentary film production tools.

Learn more about the work Frederico Pardo on his website at:   http://www.federicopardo.com

It was Labor Day in 2009 when I became aware of just how bad things have gotten in the US.  Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think I’ve been naïve.  I’ve been a student of free speech and the political landscape of the US since high school, but Labor Day was the first time I have come into contact with a violation of my civil rights in a very real way.

Our office had a loaner 5D Mark II, and I took it for the weekend for a test drive.  I’ve had a fascination with the Houston light rail since they started laying track, and shooting it with the 5D seemed like the thing to do.  So my friend and I were standing on the platform when an angry homeless guy came up to us and starts harassing us for change.  I look to my right, and there was a Metro Police Car.  I waved at him hoping he would keep this guy moving who was now becoming belligerent.  I’m usually not so nervous in these situations, however, I did have $3500.00 worth of camera strapped around my neck.  The cop yelled out something:  ”NO PICTURES OF THE TRAIN!”
 
Could he actually be serious?  After several calls to the Houston Metro Police Department, I come to find he was.  However, it seems there is no law on the books prohibiting photography of a train.  Nevertheless, Homeland Security has endowed local police departments nationwide with violating the first amendment rights of would be train photographers by harassing them and/or detaining them.  

When I hung up the phone, I knew for the first time, I wasn’t dealing with some rogue cop or an over zealous police captain, I was dealing with the New American Police State.  The kind of police state they warned us about in speeches on Veteran’s Day when I was in elementary school.
 
It turns out, my experience isn’t unique in any fashion, except I might have gotten off easy.  Last February in New York,  Robert S. Taylor of Brooklyn was taking photos for fun in a subway station. Police saw him and cited him for unauthorized photography, even though the crime doesn’t actually exist.  Taylor states that charge was dropped, however, they also charged him disorderly conduct.  Ironically, Taylor works for MTA.  He was off duty at the time. More recently, on the other side of the country in California, Andrew Cichowski was taking pictures Diridon train station in San José.
  

I was taking a picture of the barbed wire fence, I heard someone shout “TURN AROUND SLOWLY!” I said “excuse me?” confusedly, and then slowly turned around. To my surprise, two police officers were staring at me. They asked what I was “suspiciously photographing industrial stuff for…” After about 30 minutes, they realized I wasn’t some sort of strange train terrorist, but were still asking me questions. A third officer and third and fourth squad car then arrived. Eventually, they copied the entire contents of my CF card to their police laptop and two flash drives, I told them they could have a copy of the photos as long as they didn’t sell any of them. They smiled and promised not to.  Aside from this being a terribly obnoxious waste of time, it was an interesting experience, and I’m now very likely on some sort of terrorist watch list for being a suspicious photographer…

 Just today, someone posted the image at the top of this article which is a sign on a train in Chicago.  It asks citizens to call 911 if they see any suspicious behavior, and it explicitly lists photography and video as one of those suspicious activities.  So where does this leave free citizens who wish to maintain their Constitutional rights?  It leaves us with the burden of asserting ourselves I’m afraid. 

Sometimes, the only way to keep a right is by exercising that right.  Therefore, take pictures whenever possible of everything possible, especially of trains, planes and buses.  We must report any police officers, security guards or other so-called officials who attempt to infringe upon our rights to their superiors and watch dog groups such as the ACLU.  Become locally active in photography groups in your area and most importantly, talk about these issues.  Post your experiences online using blogs and social media.  Above all, write your mayor, congressman and senators and tell them if they are incapable of stopping these attacks on our civil rights, we will elect someone who will.

The bottom line, there is now a real threat to the rights of free citizens everywhere, and no one is going to rescue you.  If you want to enjoy the freedom to use your camera when and where you want, you’re going to have to fight.  It’s up to you.

Other sites to check out:
http://tinyurl.com/nopicsinca

http://tinyurl.com/nopicsinny

http://carlosmiller.com/

http://www.nycphotorights.com/

http://tinyurl.com/nopicsintx

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm2AISC7V9I]

Congratulations to Mark Hensley, the winner of “Win an Ikan for Christmas!”  Mark contributed not one, but two separate short videos.  The first was cute, but the second had style, design and a neat concept.  Check it out above and make sure to join our Facebook page where we have giveaways, contests and more on a monthly, sometimes weekly, basis.

As always, Ikan continues to deliver products that have the features you need, at the prices you want.