K5600 Lighting HMI fresnel spotlight with 400W single-ended burner, adjustable beam angle (12°–60°), and 1.8 kg head for compact daylight fill lighting.
Technical Details
The Joker Bug 400 operates with a 400W single-ended HMI lamp and an electronic ballast with flicker-free technology. The unit measures 21 x 15 x 13 cm with a weight of 1.8 kg without ballast. The separate ballast weighs an additional 4.2 kg and allows cable connections up to 25 meters in length. Light distribution is achieved via a Fresnel attachment with spot setting (12°) and flood setting (60°). The cooling system uses a quiet axial fan at a noise level of 35 dB.
History & Development
K5600 Lighting introduced the first Joker Bug in Paris in 1995, developed by company founder Kas Oosterhuis. The 400W variant followed in 1998 as a mid-range model between the 200W and 800W Bug. In 2003, the system received the Technical Emmy Award for innovation in television engineering. The current generation from 2019 integrates DMX control and LED status indicators.
Practical Use in Film
Roger Deakins used the Joker Bug 400 for daylight fill light in "1917," mounted hidden in trenches. For "The Grand Budapest Hotel," the camera team around Robert Yeoman utilized its compactness for tight hotel room setups. The quick setup time of under three minutes makes the unit ideal for run-and-gun productions. Typical applications include window backing, car interiors, and as a hard key light. The disadvantage lies in its limited output for large setups and the 15-minute cool-down period for lamp changes.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to the ARRI M8 (800W), the Bug 400 offers significantly lower weight with half the light output. LED alternatives like the Aputure 300d achieve similar light output with variable color temperature but cannot reproduce the pinpoint hardness of HMI light. The Joker Bug 800 doubles the output but requires a 32A power supply instead of 16A. For exterior shots in strong sunlight, the HMI Bug remains unrivaled, while LEDs represent the more flexible choice for interiors.