- Jan 28, 2019 - Here are some new LUTs for your Sony A7III / A7S III (and other cameras from the A7-series like A7 RIV / A7R III / A7S III and a6300 / a6400 / a6500 / a650.
- Sony created these LUTs for on-set monitoring while shooting, as well as for clip review afterwards. Developed alongside VENICE and also applicable to FX9, s709 renders imagery in subtle colours, with smooth colour gradation and a softer low contrast tone curve. S709 is close to the film colour characteristics, and allows directors, DOPs and cinematographers, to have the final film look.
Using Picture Profile presets with S-Log
When shooting in S-Log, use Picture Profile presets PP7, PP8, or PP9.
The PP7 preset combines S-Gamut and S-Log2, while PP8 is S-Gamut3.cine/S-Log3 and PP9 is S-Gamut3/S-Log3. Here, select PP7 (S-Gamut/S-Log2) and leave the preset details as-is. A distinction of this Picture Profile, intended for subsequent color grading, is a gamma broad enough for movie production.
Camera setting and types of Picture Profiles
MENU → (Camera Settings) → [Picture Profile] → desired setting.
- PP1:
- Example setting using [Movie] gamma
- PP2:
- Example setting using [Still] gamma
- PP3:
- Example setting of natural color tone using the [ITU709] gamma
- PP4:
- Example setting of a color tone faithful to the ITU709 standard
- PP5:
- Example setting using [Cine1] gamma
- PP6:
- Example setting using [Cine2] gamma
- PP7:
- Example setting using [S-Log2] gamma
- PP8:
- Example setting using the [S-Log3] gamma and the [S-Gamut3.Cine] under [Color Mode].
- PP9:
- Example setting using the [S-Log3] gamma and the [S-Gamut3] under [Color Mode].
- PP10:
- Example setting for recording HDR movies using [HLG2] gamma.
- Learn more
Why Log video looks faded and low-contrast
Professional CINEMATIC BRIGHT & SOFT WARM COLORFUL TONES Included 27 LUTs for videos on bmpcc – BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera and Sony S-LOG per exemple a6300, a6500, a7sIII Canon Log, Alexa mini. Theses LUTs created for Premiere Pro, Final Cut, Davinci Resolve, Lumafusion, Filmora, Sony Vegas, After Effects. 27.cube file Help. These are examples of my new LUT pack designed for the Sony a6000 or a5100 shooting in neutral with contrast and saturation at -3 and the sharpening at 0.
Often, gamuts used in professional video applications conform to ITU-R BT.709 (Rec. 709), established for HDTVs. This is illustrated below.
Here, the curved color space represents the range of human vision. The gamut of Rec. 709 is much narrower. In contrast, it is easy to appreciate how much broader S-Gamuts used in S-Log recording are.
When viewed on a screen designed for Rec. 709, Log video lacks contrast because the screen cannot display the full gamut.
The ITU-R BT.2020 gamut outlined in green can be reproduced by 4K equipment. This shows how much broader your creative palette is in 4K than in HD.
Appearance of S-Log2 video on a Rec. 709 screen
Easily reproducing colors on Rec. 709 screens with 3D LUTs
Optimal display of Log video on Rec. 709 screens requires color grading, when you will use lookup tables (LUTs). This conversion prepares the material for display on Rec. 709 screens.
Unlike 1D LUTs, which mainly adjust luminance, 3D LUTs control hue, saturation, and brightness of each RGB color. LUTs simplify color grading, because without them, instant S-Log video display matching the gamut of Rec. 709 screens would be difficult as you adjust tone curves, hue, saturation, and other details two-dimensionally.
When ILCE-7SM3 has recorded movies in the [S-Log3] gamma and S-Gamut3.Cine under Color Mode or S-Gamut3 under Color Mode, you can use this LUT.
Using Gamma Display Assist and external monitors
To make it easier to check S-Log video on a Rec. 709 screen as you shoot, use Gamma Display Assist to apply LUTs. The contrast of viewfinder and monitor display will look as if you were not shooting in S-Log. In this way, Gamma Display Assist enables precise camerawork, whether you are checking subjects or adjusting the focus.
You can also take advantage of LUT-compatible external monitors, which are now more common.
Comparison of using a LUT on an external monitor
This video introduces shooting in S-Log and shows how effective it can be.
When shooting in S-Log, you can choose S-Log2 or S-Log3. Colors are reproduced differently depending on your choice, so use the right option for your workflow.
In this video, you can see how S-Log2 colors differ from those of S-Log3.
You’re sitting at the theater watching the latest Michael Bay film when you realize, “I wish my wedding films had an over-saturated bride and groom fighting giant robots!” Well I have good news for you, I can help with one of those things. And no, its not CGI giant robots, you’ll have to learn Cinema4D for that. What I can help you with is using a Look Up Table, or as it is known on the street – a LUT – to color grade your wedding films and make them look awesome.
What is a LUT?
In the simplest terms, a LUT is a preset file that contains color, contrast, brightness, and saturation information in the .cube format. LUTs are used for a lot of reasons, including simulating film stock looks, emulating camera colors, or even color calibration. What we will be using them for today though, is to provide a starting point for your color grading. It can save you a lot of time, and allow you to explore new creative colors that you may not have considered before.
What is not a LUT?
A LUT is NOT a one click color grade for your film. You can’t just slap one on and render our your film. LUTs often don’t take into consideration your white balance and exposure settings, so you will still need to color grade your film. With a LUT though, the amount of color grading you will have to do is probably less than you would if you were grading from scratch.
Before we go on with talking about color grading with LUTs though, I would highly recommend watching two of my previous videos. First, watch “My Favorite Picture Profile for the Sony A7Sii, FS5, and a6300,” because I will be using that picture profile with these LUTS. Second, watch “How to EASILY color grade Sony A7Sii, FS5, and a6300 footage using Premiere Pro CC,” because I cover a lot of basics in that video that I will build upon in this one. Of course you are also going to need Premiere Pro CC. Thankfully, Adobe currently offers a free trial of the full Creative Cloud suite that you can use for 30 days.
Sony A6300 Lut
Now there are a BUTT-TON of LUT options out there for you. Here are my recommendations:
- IMPULZ LUTS – These look great and are made for a variety of cameras. Try out the basics, and if you like them consider the Professional or Ultimate packs.
- IWLTBAP LUTS – I haven’t had a chance to buy these yet, but I would recommend trying out their free LUTs. Hat tip to Kraig Adams for posting about these.
- James Miller’s DELUTS – These are by far my favorite LUTS. I’ve used them in multiple videos and I am a huge fan. Be sure to look at his CINE4, SLOG2, and SLOG3 Set.
Sony A6300 Manual
For this color grading tutorial I will be using James Miller’s DELUTS, specifically his CINE4 set.
Want to watch more? Check out my reviews of the A7Sii and FS5, as well as a tip for how wedding cinematographers and photographers can get along. I really hope this video tutorial has been helpful for you. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below, or send me a message.