CinemaDNG from Sigma FP import PP ME / Davinci Resolve

H

hojomo

Well-known member
I decided to get a used sigma fp, a camera no one has bought; so I suppose I was asking for a situation like this (I am actually really happy with this for it's intended uses). Anyways, although Adobe Lightroom & Camera RAW/PS can see and process the dng files just fine, neither PP or ME accept them, both giving an unknown format/corrupt error on import.

Researching it seems people still shooting this format mostly use Davinci Resolve, and I think it makes sense to get that soon (aware of speed editor bundle and might do it but how long is the anticipated wait?). I was wondering if anyone out there had a solution to Adobe being able to process it's own video format thru it's software (other than LR>TIFF>ME which I tried but is insanely time consuming*), along with any experiences using davinci with this format.

I'll probably end up getting the successor to the Ninja V (currently using a smallHD Focus 7) or whenever they have another sale so long term I have more a manageable workflow, but this can work for several projects for me.

*I plan on saving to a couple different versions of Prores depending on content, after basic processing regardless of NLE
 
This was always the problem with CinemaDNG.

As much as us old Blackmagic users loved it (or pretended to, ha), we had no choice but to use Resolve or photography software to process the files. I used LR and it was always a nightmare...took all day to get 20-30 minutes of footage by the time you were done with everything.

FCP X imports it but it's useless there as some random look is applied without being able to adjust any of the RAW data.

Last I heard Premiere fully supported it, but IDK.
 
hojomo said:
I decided to get a used sigma fp, a camera no one has bought; so I suppose I was asking for a situation like this (I am actually really happy with this for it's intended uses). Anyways, although Adobe Lightroom & Camera RAW/PS can see and process the dng files just fine, neither PP or ME accept them, both giving an unknown format/corrupt error on import.

Researching it seems people still shooting this format mostly use Davinci Resolve, and I think it makes sense to get that soon (aware of speed editor bundle and might do it but how long is the anticipated wait?). I was wondering if anyone out there had a solution to Adobe being able to process it's own video format thru it's software (other than LR>TIFF>ME which I tried but is insanely time consuming*), along with any experiences using davinci with this format.

I'll probably end up getting the successor to the Ninja V (currently using a smallHD Focus 7) or whenever they have another sale so long term I have more a manageable workflow, but this can work for several projects for me.

*I plan on saving to a couple different versions of Prores depending on content, after basic processing regardless of NLE
Click to expand...

I used to own the original BMD Pocket Camera, and for working with CinemaDNG, Davinci Resolve is the best NLE to use for that and you can use the free Davinci Resolve version to process and edit the files for now. Sigma do not have a their own log gamma, etc. so when you bring the files into Davinci Resolve they will be processed with BMD's log gamma and colorspace. However one of the better workflows for processing the CinemaDNG files with the Arri Alexa colorspace and logC gamma can be seen below. If you don't feel comfortable editing in Davinci Resolve, I suggest processing them as seen below, maybe doing a lightgrade and exporting to ProRes or whatever codec you prefer, and then editing in Adobe PP.

https://timurcivan.com/2020/06/an-e...workflow-and-how-to-get-the-most-from-the-fp/

https://vimeo.com/433312447
 
Thanks for responding guys. Norbro you are definitely describing what I initially went thru with Adobe and thank god with Resolve it's a dramatically different story (at least for Sigma FP dngs, current versions of ME & Premiere is not compatible at all).

Teddy thank you so much for this vimeo workflow link. It is priceless, so awesome.

I downloaded the free version of Resolve 16 and it's resolution limited; but otherwise seems to work great. I am really eager to learn Resolve's grading features & node-based workflow. I am still planning on doing final editing in Premiere for a lot of what I'm doing, AE integration is going to be pretty important & valuable

Can't imagine not being the case but figured I would ask, I cancull & do rough cut/grades of the various footage I have in the free version, save those project files and then when I receive the Studio license be able to render out files at full UHD resolution with no issues right?
 
hojomo said:
Can't imagine not being the case but figured I would ask, I cancull & do rough cut/grades of the various footage I have in the free version, save those project files and then when I receive the Studio license be able to render out files at full UHD resolution with no issues right?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can do that with no problem.
 
CDNG is a deep digital negative format that is not practical for direct editing. It should not be treated like video.
My CDNG workflow mimics film negative workflow. I process it in Resolve with a color managed workflow to convert it to a “best light” corrected video display format and color space of choice then export that as a master quality digital intermediate for editing.
Prores, DNX, or Cineform DI’s are far superior for editing to virtually any other codec choices, raw or not.

Below is a short tutorial I did for fellow Bolex users on this process. I use Cineform DI’s and generally convert all footage to Cineform with 48Khz 24 bit broadcast wav format audio for editing and finishing regardless of codec or source.
 
hojomo said:
Thanks for responding guys. Norbro you are definitely describing what I initially went thru with Adobe and thank god with Resolve it's a dramatically different story (at least for Sigma FP dngs, current versions of ME & Premiere is not compatible at all).

Teddy thank you so much for this vimeo workflow link. It is priceless, so awesome.

I downloaded the free version of Resolve 16 and it's resolution limited; but otherwise seems to work great. I am really eager to learn Resolve's grading features & node-based workflow. I am still planning on doing final editing in Premiere for a lot of what I'm doing, AE integration is going to be pretty important & valuable

Can't imagine not being the case but figured I would ask, I cancull & do rough cut/grades of the various footage I have in the free version, save those project files and then when I receive the Studio license be able to render out files at full UHD resolution with no issues right?
Click to expand...

Free Resolve exports UHD formats up to 3840x2160 just fine. It doesn’t export 4k or higher resolution DCI formats. It lacks some other features like noise reduction too. I use Neat Video noise reduction as a plugin.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top