Things I should have known about S-Log...

[Duke M.]

My S-Log arrived and as usually I started playing with it without reading any manuals. It really took me longer to figure out than it should have, so I thought I'd summarize in case it saves anyone else some time. That and there was no manual in the box other than installation in half a dozen languages.

INSTALLATION:
The installation of the S-Log key is fairly simple. The only trick to that is when you’re in the ‘Others’ menu you need to scroll down far enough until you find the ‘Install’ selection.

ENABLING S-LOG:
Finding the setting to turn S-Log on took a little longer. From the Menu select ‘Video Set’ (the third one down on the left) then ‘Dual-Link & Gamma Select’. Then either ‘1.5G RGB444 & S-Log’ or ‘3G RGB444 & S-Log’

CHANGES:
When you enable S-Log a whole bunch of menu items change and a few are added.

MENU ITEMS TURNED OFF WITH S-LOG:

• TLCS, AGC, AUTO SHUTTER,
• ATW, OFFSET WHITE
• FLICKER REDUCE, FLARE COMPENSATION
• LINEAR MATRIX, MULTI MATRIX
• DETAIL, SKIN TONE DETAIL
• KNEE
• PICTURE PROFILES

LOCKED AND NOT CHANGEABLE:

• PRESET WHITE (switchable between 3200k and 5600k. That 5600k side button now works the way I expected.)
• BLACK MASTER LEVEL = 0
• BLACK GAMMA =0
• LOW KEY SAT = 0

THE MONITOR LUT:
A LUT doesn’t affect dual link output. The LUTs only work with S-Log. They CAN be created with CvpFileEditor v4.20 and loaded into the camera with an SxS card. Only 10bit LUTs are supported. 12bit LUTs won’t work. Four LUTs come with it and you can add 5 more LUTs of your own.
The names of the LUTs are actually abbreviations so you can remember them:

• 709 (800%) is 800% dynamic range, in ITU=R709, just what it sounds like.
• HG8009G40 is a Hyper Gamma with 800% dynamic range, 109% white output, and an 18% gray card is 40% video output.
• HG8009G33 is a Hyper Gamma with 800% dynamic range, 109% white output, and an 18% gray card is 33% video output.
• 709 (180%) is a Gamma with an 87% knee point and 180% dynamic range based on ITU-R709.

The original manual doesn’t tell you much of anything. You need the F3 Supplemental Manual. S-Log starts on page 14. BTW, I learned that S-Log stands for Sony Log.

[gregpen]

Thank you, Duke, for an excellent summary!
Greg

P.s. Still awaiting my ProLock ;)

[Tony Brennan]

Also, if the in camera LUTs are turned on, they affect the exposure readings on the camera's in built metering. The exposure reading is for the LUT output not the true SLog output.

[Duke M.]

Also, if the in camera LUTs are turned on, they affect the exposure readings on the camera's in built metering. The exposure reading is for the LUT output not the true SLog output.

I noticed that. I was thinking I should move my zebra point from 70 to 60 or 65. Has anyone done this to figure out which corresponds to 70?

[lasikdenver]

I am waiting for 1.3 version to buy S-Log which allows for 4-2-2 with LUT and separate S-Log out which hopefully will help with this problem. I also have wondered if you could just record the S-Log with LUTs off but where do you set exposure?

[Duke M.]

I am waiting for 1.3 version to buy S-Log which allows for 4-2-2 with LUT and separate S-Log out which hopefully will help with this problem. I also have wondered if you could just record the S-Log with LUTs off but where do you set exposure?

That's my plan too. As I recall its v1.2 in November and v1.3 by the end of the year.

Anyone have new information on those dates?