ikan News Blog

We’ve been discussing the need to clarify the concerns some of our customers have about the build quality and servicing abilities, functionality, etc of our LED panels versus some of our competitors. Our head of product development here wanted me to post this white paper for your digestion. Have a peek.

Sidenote: im using Dirty Suds PDF embedder for this post. Leave some feedback and let me know what you think. If you are aware of better methods i would like to know them. Thanks!

also, if you’d like to download a copy of this white paper, via .pdf, click here.

For those of you who’ve been interested (or dogged us) for Kelvin rating and luminosity output for our Studio LED lights–the ID400, ID500, ID1000, Multi-K XL–and haven’t been able to get the answers you need from our product videos, I’ve updated some detailed charts for you. We recently collated our in-house testing data for your education and disclosure (in case you thought we were hiding something We also ran the gamut with our On-Camera LED lights, to make sure all bases are covered.

I share this information with you for a few specific reasons. For any confusion about flourescent-to-LED conversions in your studio or lighting kit, you should realize how LED panels need to be used to achieve maximum results–and not be disappointed by spending x cash and feeling burned. Also, based on the current technology, any company that claims numbers significantly different from these that follow, I recommend, proceed with caution. You may be surprised when you set up for your first shoot if you rely on some outstanding numbers.

Also, if you’re interested in reading or watching reviews, usage shots, etc. regarding our LED panels, our customers have been reviewing via video, flickr, or tweets with satisfied results. Start HERE.

Now, let’s get down and dirty with the deets:

For this experiment we used:

• BK Precision 615 for the lux rating (as it gives conservative, consistent results)
• Sekonic c-500 for the color temperature ratings (because we are not cheapskates when it comes to hardcore tests).

More product info on the:

• ID400
• ID500
• ID1000
• Multi-K XL

If you have any more questions, feel free to email support@ikancorp.com or leave us a comment. Also, feel free to share this information with your friends, tweet it, and link it as you feel useful or necessary.

November is a funny time for many, as it marks the end of fall with the cooler weather rolling in with many of the first real snows. The impending winter means spending time indoors, seeking refuge from the cold and experiencing that slow-down and stillness to life, where leaving the bed is akin to blasphemy. For us in Houston, though, it’s really the first full month where we won’t see temperatures in the 90’s (finally). For ikan, it means we start looking forward to the spring releases for NAB. It’s a time for industry–scheduling production of new products and putting the final pieces together.

Today, there were several last-minute meetings with the software division where we finalized the features of new products. Last year @NABShow, we demoed a product suite concept designed to aid the production community’s workflow. Since all these apps work together (they talk), it has been a challenge to develop them concurrently; fortunately, we are finally nearing the release of the first of the suite! One key thing changed since then–based on customer feedback, we switched the priority of release from android apps to iOS apps. Over the next few months, you’ll notice several new apps rolling out. Since last week’s concept meeting, they’ve put the finishing touches on them–all i can say is WOW! They have really put some innovative usage and tools in the software –stuff I haven’t seen in any other apps like them in the market. I can’t wait for the other application to mature. We really think you’re going to like the way the pieces fit together (literally and figuratively)!

Ikan works hard about innovating new products and sometimes its easy for us to forget around here some of the things we have innovated in the last few years. We were the first to come out with a high quality 5.6 LCD with HDMI. at NAB 2009 (before the 5D MkII and D90 were released) we introduced the V5600 because we anticipated that HDMI would become an attractive alternative to SDI, that cameras were shrinking, and a HDMI LCD field monitor smaller than 7’  would be a great addition in the market place. Now every LCD company has a 5″ in their lineup. It’s hard to believe this monitor is 4 years old now and still is a favorite for many shooters.

Our ID500 light was the first high powered LED light to have a wireless remote control.  For the Event and ENG users the remote feature and battery power have given them truly mobile solutions. Event videographers can turn a light on an off from their camera position on one side of a ball room as needed. ENG crews can sit and wait for their air time and turn the light on and off without leaving their cameras. A solo shooter who acts as talent and camera operators can now adjust the light intensity while looking into their monitors.

Our EV2 Stealth was the first 15mm rod configuration developed for ENG shooters. We worked with Canon to help their customers as they migrate from traditional shoulder mount cameras ENG to more economical midsized cameras.

The Stealth was designed as a ENG rig–not a stripped down cinema shoulder rig–to better match the needs of news shooters. Its adaptability allows the user to see the eye piece in bright sun light. The adjustable shoulder pads allows for different users to tweak it for their comfort. Its Heavy duty shoulder mount is beefed up to withstand use 24/7. Replaceable pads give it a longer lifespan, while plenty of mounting points (for battery systems and accessories) allow it to conform to any work flow or requirements. We even designed mounting points for a traditional ENG VL14 style quick release to simplify run and gun demands of the ENG environment

One of our first products introduced in our first year of business PT-1000 pioneered the low-cost above the lens Teleprompters.

Once again several other teleprompter companies have a similar solution in their line up. This year we added a single handed adjustment riser to our PT3100 and PT4100 to make it easier to adjust for the different heights of cameras.

Simply turn the knob and adjust the height no tools or disassembly necessary. The next generation of teleprompters and software is under development and will also include several new and innovative features.

This year, ikan acquired the Cinemage monitor line to provide top tier LCD monitors adding additional choices for our customers. This acquisition also put new technologies and contacts in our reach. Soon you should see innovative new features and products as a result.

So this winter, keep your eye on ikan to see what new products are going to come from us here in Houston. I know some of the things we are planning will be new and innovative.  Just wait and see. To make it easier, check back here or follow us on Facebook or twitter to keep up with the latest news.

We say its “designed with you in mind” and we really mean it. We plan to revise our super popular id500 for next NAB, but to do so we have to start planning now. It takes us a while to build prototypes and test with them and get the production line going on items  in order to have them ready for NAB. We’ve actually been working for the next round of new products since last NAB starting the week we came home.  We already have an impressive list of some features and chages from current users and tons 0′ feedback from our worldwide dealer channel, but we want to reach more and get more feedback from other parties we don’t always get to hear from. For our first attempt at this democratic style of input we decided to start with one of our go to everyman products and ask every man what they want. So tells us what you want (or don’t) want on the next version. At this stage anything goes, so tell us what you want!

As promised last week, I am serving up a few more BTS pictures of the music video shoot from the third week of May.  And as with last week’s tip of the week, this one centers on some of the gear we used for the shoot.

Now, I am sure that there are a great many folks who will read this article and will feel that tungsten lamps or HMI should be a go-to choice rather than LED.  And in some cases, I would tend to agree.

However, having both tungsten and HMI instruments as part of our lighting package, I still found that we continually pulled out the ikan ID-1000 lighting units.  We had two on the shoot and to

be honest, the only reason we had those units was because the ID-500 (which I had requested) were impossible to lay hands on.  ikan cannot keep those units in stock for anything.  The units are just too popular!  But as the time for the shoot drew nearer, I went ahead and opted for the larger units, figuring we could always dim them down or decrease the number of active banks.  Even diffusion was a possibility.

And it ended up being a perfect solution for our needs.  The ID-1000′s had just enough punch (even in daylight situations) to provide the necessary fill for several key scenes.  However, I also could tell you that having three of them would probably not have been necessary.  After all, we had tungsten 1K’s and a 1200 watt HMI on standby.  And that brings me to the purpose of this week’s column… building your own custom LED lighting kit.

Now, this is definitely not a standard tip of the week… it’s not a neat little piece of tech to utilize our products, but rather a helpful nudge to tell you to contact ikan’s second-to-none customer service & sales dept with your own custom requirements.

Sure, ikan has pre-assembled kits listed in dealer networks and the website, but who’s to say that’s all you can purchase?

Why not look through the catalogue of offerings from ikan’s LED line and pick and choose the instruments that most fit your shooting situation?

For me, I found that packing 2 x ID-1000′s and 2 x ID-500‘s, plus a Multi-K and an ILED-144 would give me the perfect mixture of sizes to have in a small grab and go kit.  But who’s to say yours needs to be anything like this?

Why not call Lindsay or Daniel or Ryan at the ikan office and ask about purchasing 1 x ID-500 and two ILED-312 units, which would be a highly effective run n gun kit.  Throw a pro battery plate on the back of the ID-500 and you’re ready to go, completely wireless!

Or, you could go for the full enchilada and order 3 each of the ID-1000, the ID-500 and the ILED 312, which would provide you with every possible combination of LED lighting unit you could ever hope for?

In reality, your specific production needs can be met perfectly by spending less than an hour perusing the ikan website and then calling the office at 713-272-8822 to ask a few simple questions.

So, what are you waiting for?  Your perfect kit awaits!

We’ve released a decent number of products in the last month, it’s true.

Yet more than ever, I’ve noted,  people are discussing our ID500 3 light kit on forum boards. Some things need to be set straight. Though our light looks tremendously like the onens on ebay:

you’ll be sorely mistaken when you open up the insides of this LED Light. Why? Ikan’s ID500 has completely different innards and electronic components driving the system, making it more robust and durable. Also, these reasons. Don’t be so easily fooled. There are a  number of review videos of ikan’s ID500 (Gratis 7, System5 of Japan, Monogram Travel, CineDigital.TV, they Creative) for good reason! I’ve used the light in various shoots, as well, and they don’t disappoint.  One more perk: that extra few bucks also ensures that you get excellent customer care and service. If any part of the light malfunctions or you have concerns and need to speak with a person, call or email us and we’ll be there to help.

Aside, have you had a chance to check out the iLED 312? Did you see me in it? Jared Abrams did a QuickTake of it HERE. The light has done pretty well in our tests so far and we look forward to it having a successful run. Last week’s post included the iLED 120 — also a wonderful on-camera light to work and play with. We will have both product reviews and our own promo video uploaded to Vimeo soon–so stay current!

While you’re at it, get in on our Social Media Sale. Every Wednesday, about midday, we release a new sale on b-stock or overstocked items in our facility  on facebook and twitter. The current product (ending tomorrow) is the LANC controlled ikan Director.

For $249.99, it’s a pretty sweet price. So you’re informed, these units are considered b-stock, checked & tested, and in excellent condition. ikan’s Director can pull focus, has variable speed zoom and recording abilities. It will work on Sony and Canon cameras.

There are also rumors that the RECOIL XT might go on the Social Media Sale in April…we’ll see. If you want a different perspective on the product, check out our “Tip of the Week” segment (those will be returning soon, as well). Look familiar?

Now, if you were able to read that much, here’s your treat, for I will only mention this here:

These are the awesome sales you’ll find during NAB:

• FG Follow Focus Cine Kit (ELE-FGK) for $399 (a steal considering the build quality, if you don’t believe me check it out yourself:  Link 1, link 2, link 3)
• V5600 Monitor for $499 (the cheapest yet!)
• 15% off our Superfly / 18″ Gunstock Combo (ideal for new filmmakers looking for run-n-gun feel while staying modular and compact).

As always, live updates and news are always available through our twitter and Facebook.

Cheers