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.

Missed your ikan tip of the week at all? I actually did.

I believe it’s still a great creative outlet for applying ikan gear in various, effective ways, considering the innumerable configurations available to you via the ELEMENTS line, esp with the EV2 series now available.

This week, I’m going to don this product the “Universal Rim Light”–not because it shines on the entire universe (though it’s darn bright)–but because it’s so light (couldn’t help it) you can clamp it securely to nearly any platform or medium. With the spot or flood option, you can get a focused rim light or more diffuse hairlight, varying from gentle to blindingly bright.

This configuration includes (read: you win all this if you participate in our little giveaway at #GVEXPO:

1 x LED ONE – (spot or flood bulb)

1 x MA210 10″Articulating Arm

1 x ELE-PN Pinch Clamp

1 x ELE-CHSR Senior Cheese Stick

1 x Panasonic DV battery & AC107 Battery Plate (which includes screws)

Let us know if you’ve done this before, or choose to do so, and how it works for you! Otherwise, if you come up with any neat tips of your own, send ‘em over to me (ryan@ikancorp.com) or post an image to our twitter, and maybe you’ll get featured.

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!

There’s much to cover today!

If you’ve ever whipped out your light meter to test your on-camera ikan light, executed the strong test from 3, 6, and 10 ft, then I give you some kudos. But, if you’re still shopping and need a breakdown for your color temperatures or trying to get some variety in your shots, this chart might help you see things more clearly (yeah I said it):

For simplicity’s sake, lights mentioned above can be found at their corresponding pages, including video demonstrations (at realistic ranges). All current ikan LED Lighting available.

*iLED 120 (it’s new! look here for more upcoming products)

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Really, you should know about >> the “Social Media Sale” << happening weekly on twitter and facebook (follow us or friend us to get the special link for super discounts). This week’s sale ends tomorrow at noon (Daylight CST) and a new item will replace it, ranging from many of our product lines. If you’re the international type (outside U.S.) we recommend contacting us directly via our twitter or marketing@ikancorp.com and we’ll process your order.

Interestingly enough, it spread like wildfire that our FG Follow Focus (ELE-FGK) is on sale at NAB in April.

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One more, special thing…

If you’ve stopped by our page already today you probably saw the popup-ad that bombarded you with great news. ikan Corporation has acquired the Cinemáge line of monitors and they’re quite the treat to see with your own eyes. Running an Arri Alexa 3D LUT (look up table, for more info check ebook on using 1d and 3d lut for color correction, and…this one), shooting with an Arri Alexa and a  VX9 also, I was tickled at the ease of focus and clarity of real-world color on a 24″ screen. 12 bit processing you say? I admit, I can’t wait to see the technology migrate fast enough to a new flagship monitor as well. Check the links above for the official Press Release. The monitor I used was this one.

If you’ve got any questions for us feel free to ask: info@ikancorp.com for general information, marketing@ikancorp.com for media inquiries or sales@ikancorp.com for purchase matters.

For our featured article this week, we’ll be focusing on some of our equipment, the ID500 kit, in the field. For a better handle on real-world applications, I sat down and interviewed a colleague in the industry, Chris Clifton.

IKAN: For our audience, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Chris Clifton: “I have been in Houston for 27 years as an independent production company and equipment rental house. My first package was an Ikegami HL 79EAL and BVU-110, the top of the line at the time.  Back then, Lowel DP light kits were popular (and they pulled so much power we could barely get through a shoot without throwing a breaker wherever we were).  Fast forward through 3 more Ikegami’s, a Sony Betacam, DVCAM, and later two EX XDCAM’s…by this point, the Lowel’s had long since been replaced with an Arri Kit and a Digimole 200/400 HMI kit.

“The LED light kits on the market caught my interest last year but I didn’t jump in, mostly because of the price point of the Lite Panel 1×1.  I’ve visited Ikan numerous times for monitors and support and noticed the LED lights in the showroom.  So, when I sent my Digimoles in for repair, I started considering what I would need for a backup plan (for the pending shoots) and about that time I got the 48 hour sale notice from Carlos. It led me to the IKAN website where I looked closer at the ID500 kit.  I rented it for a 2 day shoot and the guys on the job were drooling over them–they could not believe the list price was only $1699 for three 450w lights.  We were working in a small house with low ceilings, without much power available…the lights were so easy to get up and out of the shot, they put off no heat, and pulled very little juice.  It was a great experience, so much easier than putting up a light with a chimera.  The remote controls are a cool feature.  I bought them the next day.”

IK:    What projects are you involved with (that you can speak about)?

CC:    “I do a lot of work for different producers or in-house producers at the medical center now.  I provide equipment and crews and post- production services.  I also do projects for churches and non- profits.  The rest of the time I provide gear and services for other production companies and producers all over town or to those coming through Houston from NY, LA, Chicago, etc.  I’m a small fish in a big pond, but I’ve been around a long time and people know how to find me if they need something–I can find it if I don’t have it.”

IK:    You recently invested in some of our ID500 lighting kits. What made ikan your top choice?

CC: “It was a no-brainer for me to buy the ID500 kit after one day of testing them on a shoot.  In fact, I am considering a second kit so I don’t even have to use the Arri’s or Digimoles again.  I get so much more control out of the ID500′s, they’re so easy to arm over as a backlight and dim.  Three point lighting is a breeze.  I rarely light with tungsten since I got the HMI’s in 2003 or so; it seems digital cameras just love daylight so much more, so the ID500 is the perfect setup for me.  And the price point is incredibly low for what you get.  I was on a shoot this week with a competitor’s LED and I just felt so much better about the durability built into the IKAN product.  It’s beefy, yet maneuverable and lightweight.”

IK:    How are you using them now, and how do you foresee their use in the future?”

CC:    “I am having an amazingly busy quarter and the ID500′s are making my shoots so much quicker and easier to set up. They’re a pleasure to have on the job and my crews really appreciate them.  I used them for the first time on a still photo shoot last weekend—it’s just really nice to have them on the set. So low profile, so powerful.  It’s the ideal light for any ENG or EFP application.  And I can rig them out for portable power when I want to do that.  I cannot wait to see how my new camera, the Panasonic AF100 (being shipped in December), will perform under these lights.”

Images provided by Chris Clifton:

Bottom line: ikan’s the place to come when youre looking for modular, versatile, and reliable lighting solutions. Comment, email, tweet us, or just head over to our website @ www.ikancorp.com for more great ideas and products that wont burn your wallet to ashes are  practical to buy without burdening your brain or wallet. [PS: It's about that time again to start shopping for Christmas gifts if you haven't already ]

Cheers.

-ryan