GH3 GH3 color profile suited for color grading and matching with Canon

S

svem

Active member
Hey,

On the GH2 I set the film mode to Smooth with everything set to -2. And I found that worked well for color grading and matching with Canon video images.

What have you guys found is a good Photo Style on the GH3 that is good for color grading and matching with Canon video images?

Thanks
 
I also used Smooth -2 for my GH2 and haven't found one that's the flattest on the GH3 yet. Hence, I've settled on Natural -4, -4, -1, -5 as that seems to be the consensus from a small number of GH3 users so far.
 
I'm probably one of that small number as I've posted a few tests using one of the initial units.
I've been producing a lot and still trying to find time to test the GH3 more, but so far, specifically comparing various versions of Standard and Natural, the Natural, -4 -4 -1 -5 is something I've settled on.

There's absolutely no reason to not dial everything flat (though the saturation is a bit different for me.)
What is obvious to me at least is that anything close to the default "0" settings is just too much of a video image - classic high contrast and over sharpened.
Now there's nothing wrong with that if that's your creative intent but if you're looking for a "Negative" that will allow you to apply a curve that gives a "rounder" more organic look, then these settings will definitely get you there.

We got the GH3s specifically for slow motion, and frankly I thought it was lacking in "filmic" potential when I first tested it.
But a couple of weeks of shooting and tweaking has changed my mind, as has shooting with the 45mm Zuiko in terms of giving a Canonesque image, regarding DOF.

Regarding saturation - the reason I'm looking at -1 or even flat there, is that I'm also experimenting with FilmConvert as a first pass for grading.
Still waiting for them to give us flat GH3 profiles but starting with Generic sRGB works well for now.
FilmConvert changes the color space, thereby reducing the strong reds and overall saturation that's more inherent in a standard video image, so it's still an experiment - but I'm leaning toward keeping saturation flat if using it.

It's all creative so there are no rules, but so far Natural -4 -4 -1 -5 is a solid place to start and get good results.
I'm just starting to grade and edit a couple of weeks of mixed Canon and GH3 footage for a film project and I'll have a much better sense in a couple of days of how well they cut together.
But I think they'll mix fine.
 
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I'm getting my GH3 next week. Quick question in response to these settings - I have the SLR Magic 12mm 1.6 & SLR Magic 35mm 1.4 which are softer focus lenses to begin with, what are your thoughts on the -4 Sharpness for those? Thanks in advance!
 
I've only shot with the 20mm 1.7 and the 45mm and both are really sharp lenses.
I'd just experiment and see where you like it with that glass.
 
svem said:
On the GH2 I set the film mode to Smooth with everything set to -2. And I found that worked well for color grading and matching with Canon video images.
Click to expand...

Hey Svem,
I have an upcoming shoot with both the GH2 [using FM2.02] and a 5D.
we tried to do some camera matching, but have found the GH2 looks more "orange" in the reds then the canon did.

What setting did you have the 5D at with the GH2 at smooth [-2 all the way]

Thanks
J-P
 
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