Inon puts the blue back in

by adamhanlon Thursday, June 14th, 2012

Trailed by Wetpixel Associate Editor Alex Mustard in the first Wetpixel Hangout, Inon has now announced the release of their color correction filters for the Z240/Z220/D2000 and S-2000 series strobes. These filters warm the strobes color temperature from a native 5600°K to 4900°K or 4600°K, typically providing a richer shade of blue in wide-angle images. The filters are available in two versions, one for Z and D series strobes and another for S series. In addition, they are available in either a 4600°K or 4900°K versions and with -0.5 or non-diffused versions.

All the filters will be available from late June, at prices to be determined. Wetpixel is expecting a set to arrive soon, so please stay posted for test images.

Press Release.

Color Temperature Conversion Filters.

INON INC. is pleased to announce official release of new Color Temperature Conversion Filter series for Z-240/D-2000 series/Z-220 series and S-2000 to be available later June, 2012. The new filters are to reduce color temperature of combined strobe light.

Color Temperature Conversion Filter (4900K). Scheduled release date : Later June, 2012.
Color Temperature Conversion Filter (4600K). Scheduled release date : Later June, 2012.
-0.5 (4900K) Diffuser 2 (TTL/Manual). Scheduled release date : Later June, 2012.
-0.5 (4600K) Diffuser 2 (TTL/Manual). Scheduled release date : Later June, 2012.
Color Temperature Conversion Filter (4900K) for S-2000. Scheduled release date : Later June, 2012.
Color Temperature Conversion Filter (4600K) for S-2000. Scheduled release date : Later June, 2012.
-0.5 (4900K) Diffuser for S-2000. Scheduled release date : Later June, 2012.
-0.5 (4600K) Diffuser for S-2000. Scheduled release date : Later June, 2012.

Product features.

Adding these filters on strobe enables to reduce color temperature of strobe light. Two different grade filters deliver strobe light at color temperature 4900K or 4600K from original 5500K and each grade filter has non-diffuse version at same power output and half stop diffused version which increases beam angle to 110 degree. These filters have been designed on totally new concept to control color temperature of underwater strobe to extend range of underwater imaging expression.

Reducing color temperature of strobe light will yield following effects; Capture skin tones of a diver more healthy, Brighten up warm color subject and Make back ground water color richer blue without changing foreground subject color by converting RAW image at 4900K or 4600K.

Sample image processed RAW file at color temperature 4600K. Changing color temperature adds vivid blue on back ground water. Equipment:Canon EOS50D/X-2 for EOS50D, Tokina AT-X107DX Z-240 x 2 (S-TTL Auto).
Photo data：Zoom wide end (10mm), F11, 1/60, ISO400.　
Filter：Left -0.5 White Diffuser 2 (TTL/Manual)(Processed RAW image at 5500K) Right-0.5(4600K) Diffuser (TTL/Manual)(Processed RAW image at 4600K)

Specifications.

Color Temperature Conversion Filter (4900K)
Compatible strobe: Z-240/D-2000/D-2000S/D-2000W/D-2000Wn/Z-220F/Z-220S/Z-220(*1)
Beam angle：Circular 100 degree
Color temperature：4900K
-0.5 (4900K) Diffuser 2 (TTL/Manual) Compatible strobe: Z-240/D-2000/D-2000S/D-2000W/D-2000Wn/Z-220F/Z-220S/Z-220(*1) Beam angle：Circular 110 degree Effect on strobe power：-0.5 EV. Color temperature：4900K
Color Temperature Conversion Filter (4600K) Compatible strobe: Z-240/D-2000/D-2000S/D-2000W/D-2000Wn/Z-220F/Z-220S/Z-220(*1) Beam angle：Circular 100 degree Color temperature：4600K
-0.5 (4600K) Diffuser 2 (TTL/Manual) Compatible strobe: Z-240/D-2000/D-2000S/D-2000W/D-2000Wn/Z-220F/Z-220S/Z-220(*1) Beam angle：Circular 110 degree Effect on strobe power：-0.5 EV. Color temperature：4600K
Color Temperature Conversion Filter (4900K) for S-2000 Compatible strobe: S-2000 Beam angle：105 x 95 degree Color temperature：4900K
-0.5 (4900K) Diffuser for S-2000 Compatible strobe: S-2000 Beam angle：Circular 110 degree Effect on strobe power：-0.5 EV. Color temperature：4900K
Color Temperature Conversion Filter (4600K) for S-2000 Compatible strobe: S-2000 Beam angle：105 x 95 degree Color temperature：4600K
-0.5 (4600K) Diffuser for S-2000 Compatible strobe: S-2000 Beam angle：Circular 110 degree Effect on strobe power：-0.5 EV. Color temperature：4600K

(*1) External Auto mode is not usable for when the filter is attached on Z-240/D-2000/D-2000W/D-2000Wn. Use S-TTL Auto or Manual mode.

Ignore the link above - here is where I bought the gel from: http://ow.ly/c1YvX
Posted by rsapple on 2012-07-05 09:12:06 And, here's Alex Mustard's comments: Colored gels can be cheaply purchased, cut with scissors in a circle the same shape as your strobe, and placed behind your diffusers. For my INON strobes I also had to use a sewing needle to poke a hole in the filter that the diffuser screw went through. I use Lee color correction filters to lower the color temp of my strobes from 5500K to 5000K and 4500K. This will result in warmer lighting, and deeper blues when shooting in tropical water. You can experiment with other colored gels for different effects. I use Lee 1/4 CTO color correction filters to lower my strobe temperature to 4500K for blue-water wide angle shots.
Posted by rsapple on 2012-07-05 09:09:59 Oh - Lee Conversion Filter Gel #206 to be exact.
Posted by rsapple on 2012-07-04 18:27:31 I bought a 24" square sheet of Lee color gel for $7.00 and cut out my own pieces the exact size and shape of the Inon z240 diffusion lenses - placing the gel sheet pieces between the diffusion lenses and the strobes. Reduces light from 6500K to 4600K. I have enough left over for probably another 20 to 25 strobes of similar size or smaller. http://ow.ly/c1mKv Works very well! Richard applecorps@theapples.com
Posted by rsapple on 2012-07-04 18:26:24 I have been using Inon strobes for well over twenty years, first the Z-220's, (still in the field) and now Z-240's. I think I will get my investment back if I pop for a few of these store made diffusers. Phil
Posted by Phil Rudin on 2012-06-14 16:17:16 I'd already been trying Alex's suggestion of a straw filter behind the diffuser. I don't recall the exact color number off the top of my head but I'm sure you can find it in a search. Much cheaper I'd think, although a crinkly filter behind the diffuser might be a bit less hip. ;-) Would be nice if in new strobe purchases they gave the user the option of the diffuser he or she wanted included (better yet include them all, but I'd understand if they wanted to limit the 'freebies' to only one).
Posted by rtrski on 2012-06-14 15:10:09 These diffusers are a very exciting new product to me i will be interested to compare my Z-240 W/A stuff to new images with the new diffusers. Phil Rudin
Posted by Phil Rudin on 2012-06-14 11:05:48