Compact HMI or LED fixture with concentrated beam. Places highlights exactly where needed on faces or objects—precise accent light, minimal rigging required.
Technical Details
The Joker Bug 400W produces a light output of 8,500 lux at 3 meters with the standard reflector at a color temperature of 5600K. The fixture head weighs only 1.2 kg, while the separate electronic ballast weighs 6.8 kg. The cooling system uses an integrated 12V fan that generates a noise level of 35 dB at 2,400 rpm. The fixture head features a Bowens S-mount for light modifiers and can be dimmed from 50% to 100% with an electronic dimmer.
History & Development
K5600 Lighting developed the first Joker Bug in 1995 in France in response to the demand for mobile HMI lights for exterior shoots. The revolutionary design separated the heavy ballast from the fixture head for the first time, opening up new mounting possibilities. The Bug-Lite series for 12V battery operation followed in 2003, and the waterproof Underwater version for dives up to 50 meters deep in 2008.
Practical Use in Film
Emmanuel Lubezki extensively used Joker Bugs for "The Revenant" (2015) to simulate and enhance natural daylight in the Canadian wilderness. The compact units could be easily mounted on tree branches or rigging points where conventional HMI lights would have been too heavy. In "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015), John Seale used the 800W version as a backlight for vehicle shots, with the lights directly attached to the car rig.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to conventional 575W HMI lights, the Joker Bug 400W offers nearly identical light output at 30% less power consumption. LED alternatives like the ARRI SkyPanel S30-C achieve similar lux values but allow for color temperature adjustments from 2800K to 10,000K without conversion filters. Modern battery systems like the V-mount compatible Joker Bug 400W enable up to 45 minutes of continuous operation with a 290Wh battery.