ikan News Blog

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.

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!

Our Press Release (via PDF) of the our Flagship On-Camera Monitor, the VX7e and newly-Flagship LED Light the Multi-K XL: press release 08apr11.vx7e_multi-k xl (changing formats temporarily, let us know what you think on twitter.com/ikancorp)

Don’t forget about the #SocialMediaSale next week–you might find a tasty deal waiting for you on Wednesday! Currently, we’re selling E-Image EL-7063-AA tripods 40% off–check our facebook or twitter for the deal.

Also, check out our latest sale, thanks to the guys here at ikan–iLED ONE 3=Piece kit for $299.99

One more thing: You remember our sales during NABShow, yes? Just for the record:

in Falling Through the Cracks, I mentioned:

• 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).

Our Short Film Contest launches on April 11, as well. Our Vimeo channel will have necessary videos  explaining the rules with two example videos, made by our friends at Golden Toad Entertainment (ZDMFilms on Vimeo).

We will be packing our twitter feed and Facebook Page with tons of content from all over NABShow–stay plugged in for tons of coverage all the way from the floor to the booth!

Cheers!

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.

Sometimes your product sells itself. Sometimes people like to help, go beyond the expected and act from grace. That’s the way Gratis 7 Media group is. If you haven’t heard of them, I highly recommend you go educate yourself (here’s a link). Their latest film, RISING FROM ASHES, documents the struggles of creating a Rwandan national cycling team and the life of the local peoples–in a place which many’s freshest memories are of the genocide in 1994, between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups. (For a refresher on the conflict , “Origins of Tutsi and Hutu”

…What’s more, they even reviewed the ikan equipment they brought with them to Africa, covering their usage (and benefits) in rugged territories. This is the video they provided us (and we didn’t even ask!) Yes, these guys are epic.

http://www.vimeo.com/17856150

“I can’t thank you enough…We literally used [our equipment] every day. The lights were used for every BTS interview and we used the small LED quite a bit as accent lights in the field. It proved to be the perfect set up for this production. We would have never had time to set up hot lights with the pace we were running…Also the monitors worked out for a interesting purpose. I was able to watch the footage from the GoPro cameras on the monitor as the camera has no way of showing the footage. It was clutch for this. Also, the one thing I was not expecting was how much we used the backpacks. They were used everyday.”

Thank you, again, TC, Jeremy, and the rest of Gratis 7 for pursuing your own dreams. They are a benefit to us all! I hope to see this piece and more inspirational projects from Gratis 7 this year.

One more thing.

We here at ikan want to wish you a happy New Year!  And once more, congratulations to our Contest Winners! Again, if you havent had a chance to view the entries, go here, or view our previous post for the top three winners.

So  remember (because remembering is so much more a psychotic activity than forgetting), if you need help leveling the playing field in 2011, ikan is at your side!
–The ikan team

[caption id="attachment_1375" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="The "Rising from Ashes" team's massive entourage of gear."][/caption]

(Part I, Part II) Part III of the series “RISING FROM ASHES: A FEATURE DOCUMENTARY“

Last week on the ikan Blog, we began our interview with documentary filmmaker/Director, TC Johnstone, regarding his latest feature entitled: “Rising to Ashes”–a powerful, well-shot, beautiful, full-of-hope documentary which captures the struggle of Rwanda’s only competitive cycling team, as they grow from grassroots bicyclists to national heroes, determined to raise high and represent their culture for the world to share.

Let’s continue:

IK: How did you develop (or find, even) a team of filmmakers passionate and skilled enough to help you achieve your vision?

TC: This is a great question. When I started Gratis 7 a few years ago it was to help filmmakers that had the character and the talent to tell great stories. We started asking filmmakers how we could help with their projects.  People caught the vision of working together and it really took a life of it’s own. It soon became a family telling stories we could have never achieved on our own.

I find that many filmmakers are lonely. It’s very discouraging working by yourself. I always encourage young filmmakers to find a soulmate. Find someone you really enjoy being with in life and on set. I’m constantly talking with networks of filmmakers. I see caring for filmmakers and telling stories of purpose as my ministry.

IK: Who are the team members of Gratis 7?

TC: Gratis 7 is a business entity. It works more like a family then a corporation. Gratis 7 is a hub that provides structure for independent contractors with similar passion and common vision to create together.

IK: Your team recently stopped by our facility to pick up some essential equipment, right before your departure to Rwanda—how well were you able to predict what was necessary? Has your selection benefitted your team’s endeavours thus far?

TC: Before we left for Rwanda my producer, Greg Kwedar and Director of Photography, Jeremy Rogers, and I road tripped to Ikan and spent the day with their team. It was invaluable for us. We were able to ask endless questions on equipment.  The challenge for us was taking the right equipment to Rwanda. With the cost of bringing equipment overseas you have to be incredibly accurate. Ikan was an enormous help with this. For instance lighting, we needed portable lights that didn’t require heavy voltage. The team at Ikan helped us design a small portable LED lighting package that worked perfectly in the field. The Ikan lights were just the right package for the DSLR’s we were shooting. And, no heat! That’s the best when you’re moving fast. I’m a big believer in “take the necessities and rely on your creativity”. Ikan helped us create an amazing balance.

IK: What do you hope to achieve with “Rising From Ashes?”

TC: My biggest desire for the film is for the world to see Rwanda as a country truly rising from the ashes. In turn inspiring us all to consider the power of hope, forgiveness and reconciliation. It’s how we choose to embrace the life we are given. It’s a beautiful example of how we can choose to live our lives.

====================END of PART III====================

Thanks to all of you, Gratis 7, for such intense work and capturing of life!

We can’t wait to see the full piece! This blog will periodically release more information as soon as it is know, such as release date, etc. Otherwise, stay tuned in and check out TC’s news on his twitter and facebook.

Cheers!

For more information:

http://vimeo.com/15464226

Gratis 7 Media Group and their latest film,

“Rising From Ashes” (Website, Twitter, Facebook).

You can also find TC at his website, twitter, or facebook.

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