Elation Lighting has been offering the KL Series of fixtures to augment lighting for the camera the last few years. With Fresnels as well as the TVL Panel -DW white soft light, they made an impressive move into this market. Now they are introducing their version of a full color spectrum soft light LED panel, the KL Panel, to this series.
The KL name stands for Key Light, but this fixture is able to throw a lot of lumens in a wide throw as an even wash fill light, boasting 24,000 lumens of output at 100° half-peak angles.
The first thing I notice is how sturdy this product is — made to take a beating in all kinds of conditions, from bad weather to rugged terrain. Being a film-type fixture, this is quite an attribute.
The Light and Lamp
This fixture utilizes a six-color (RGBWLC) 295W light engine that boasts a CRI over 95. The fixture is indeed optimized for the white spectrum, easily tunable to any degree the cinematographer is looking for. This full-spectrum color model has a CCT of 2000K to 10,000K, which is a vast improvement over the TVL panel which offers a range of 3,200K to 5,800K while utilizing just warm and cool LEDs. The LEDs’ refresh rate frequency on the KL Panel can be adjusted remotely between 900-25KHz, to avoid any flickering on camera.
The fixture is designed to be used on locations as well as a studio or stage light, meaning users have lots of options in ways to control it. Hand control is optimum. The fixture does not have an outboard power supply, nor an onboard battery. It can accept 100-240 VAC directly through their locking connector, including a power passthrough for easy daisy-chaining. It can also get power from a 24-36VDC outboard battery which connects via 4-pin XLR connector. The fixture is compatible with existing lighting or camera battery packs.
At the bottom of the fixture are three encoder knobs giving the user instant control of intensity, color temperature and green shift. If the user would rather program the lights, as in a concert setting or if the lights are suspended in the air, there is a multitude of ways to do this. The fixture can take in straight DMX, Art-Net, sACN or RDM via 5-pin XLR in/out connectors that come with weatherproofed seals (as do the other connectors). The fixture also accepts signal via Wi-Fi through Elation’s proprietary E-FLY system.
The fixture is able to produce all of the colors one would expect from any LED panel. While the designed purpose is more suitable to keylighting on camera, there is something special about this fixture being dual purpose. If users wish to set a whole set ablaze with red before tuning the color back to something more suitable for film, they can do it easily. The fixture comes with a virtual gel library. It also has some built-in FX.
Hardware and Operation
There are nine different modes of operation. One can get by on a single DMX channel using it for intensity (having preset the color temperature on the rear encoder already). The standard channel mode uses 14 channels, but they offer a 23-channel extended mode as well. There are dedicated control channels that one can use to decide on various dimmer curves and fan speeds. While the user can change fan speeds, they cannot fully turn them off, but I tested the light in a closed room with the fans on and couldn’t hear them.
The fixture is easily attached to any grip stand and comes stock with a junior pin adapter for such purposes. The yoke can easily accept any clamp or hang via safeties from a pipe for more overhead light. A tee handle apparatus securely locks the tilt focus in place. To shape the beam, the fixture offers an 8-leaf barn door and frost gel frame attachments.
At a Glance:
KL: Key Light and More
This fixture fills a niche in film lighting with a wide CCT as well as a full color spectrum.
Elation KL Panel
PROS: Sturdily built, On board PSU, Full colors, CCT range from 2K-10K, E-FLY wireless capability.
CONS: Light will not function in extreme cold temperatures.
SPECS
- Lamp Source: Red, Green, Blue, White, Lime & Cyan LED Engine
- Wattage: 300W
- AC Input: 100-240V
- Battery: 24-36 VDC
- Weight: 28.6 lbs. w/barn door and junior pin adapter
- Dimensions: 20.8” x 5.5” x 16.3” (LxWxH) w/yoke
- IP Rating: IP20
- Certifications: CE, cETLus (pending)
- Protocols: DMX, Art-Net, sACN, RDM
- MSRP: $2,200
Manufacturer: Elation Professional
More Info: www.elationlighting.com
