1DC: Do you use view assist when shooting Canon Log?

CraigM

CraigM

Active member
Just curious about opinions on using view assist when shooting Canon Log on a 1DC. Shane Hurlbut advises not to as it is a REC 709 LUT that in his opinion is too contrasty. Instead he uses a SmallHD monitor which has Canon LUTs. What is your work-flow for shooting log on this camera to ensure you are getting the most dynamic range? Thank you.
 
I shot with View Assist this past Sunday doing a Sobieski Vodka promo. It was an outdoor food/entertainment festival, so difficult to see the screen on the camera as it was.
I shot it all C-LOG with View Assist on (One of my first few times using view assist).

I had zebras set to 100, and WFW showing the waveform (not RBG) nearly the entire day, so I could tell immediately where I was exposure-wise. IMO I wouldn't use View Assist as a representation of what it will look like. It literally is just an 'assist' when you're shooting C-LOG. I would imagine a SmallHD and Canon LUT would be a better representation if you're looking for something close to the final product perhaps.

I've actually found View Assist helpful. Last week I shot outdoors again with lots of clouds going back an forth. I caught myself wondering "Is this underexposed, or just very flat because C-LOG?", and then turning the WFW back on to check. That was the first time I turned View Assist on -> Definitely will be using it more in the future in similar situations.
 
I personally do not use view assist. There is no limit to my frustration looking at the crappy image that it produces (crushed/blown/contrasty).

Of course, THAT is not the image being recorded so if it fits your shooting style it's just another tool.

I find looking at the actual log image gives me much more actual information about what is being recorded. I use a LCDVF that seals off the image from light, giving me a constant agains which to judge the image. If I don't have the LCDVF, I'm using a monitor and use its tools.

I quickly learned what image I like to see in FCPX/DaVinci and I prefer employing the mark 1 eyeball through the whole process.

Zebras can be fine, but it's important to know how to use them. A less experienced user might try NOT to blow out certain parts of the image, leading to under exposure where it counts. Log doesn't mean you try to keep all the highlights. You might be able to, but not always. That is also the reason I want to know what the actual tonality looks like when recording, without any compression or shifts.
 
Did a few trials a while back shooting a mixture of scenes with and without view assist, came to the conclusion that on average I found my exposures were more pleasing/accurate when it was ON. Since then for anything run'n gun, I have used view assist on both the camera and external recorders that support the feature.

The only time I forgo the option is in studio where I typically have access to controlled lighting and larger displays. The second things get frantic, it goes on.
 
Last edited:
View assist is incredibly helpful. If you're shooting in LOG with the intent to grade in post it will give you a good idea of where you're likely to run into trouble. If you want that nice highlight roll off you should should set your zebras closer to 70% and let your highlights live there. Anything higher and you'll start to lose highlights depending on how you grade. With my C300 I tend to under expose daytime scenes and over expose night time scenes.

I have a custom button on my C300 to toggle the LUT on and off. My 7Q monitor also has a Canon Log LUT as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top