How does the CineFlat picture profile compare with other Flat profiles?

The above link to Nikon Gamma Controls leads to the Beta 0.1 version I prepared in 2013. I've since developed and tested a final release that I'm preparing to document and post in Mar 2015. I had orginally intended to release it in 2014, but decided to postpone my plans while evaluating the implications of Nikon's 2014 Picture Control Utility version 2.0:

http://nikonrumors.com/2014/07/08/n...-picture-control-utility-2-0-0-released.aspx/

PCU 2.0 supports several significant new Picture Profile features, but only on the latest Nikon DSLR models. For video shooting, the most notable is Nikon's new Flat Picture Profile, intended for use with a color LUT in post-processing. (The new "Clarity" setting, however, works only on JPEG still images, not on video.) Unfortunately, the Flat Picture Profile is available only via the new NP2 Custom Picture Controls file format, which is currently supported only by Nikon's latest DSLR models.

In Jan 2015 there was a widely circulated rumor that Nikon was preparing to provide NP2 support for the D800 and a few other camera models with a new firmware download program. This would have given me an opportunity to evaluate Nikon's Flat Picture Profile and possibly support the new NP2 file format as well. To date, no such announcement has appeared from Nikon, and if nothing is forthcoming by the end of Feb, I plan to move ahead with my original plans: I will continue to support Nikon's NCP Custom Picture Controls format, which works compatibly with all modern Nikon DSLR models.

Unlike Nikon and third-party log-style Picture Profiles linked above, Nikon Gamma Controls does not attempt to provide a single "flat" tone curve suitable for all shooting conditions. I've instead prepared a range of gamma adjustment tone curves based on Nikon's built-in profiles: Standard, Neutral, Portrait, Vivid, Landscape, and Monotone. Each tone curve is calibrated to a precise gamma correction of the built-in profile, covering a range from gamma 0.4 - 2.5 in 21 steps. In practice, it's convenient to load a subset of 7 frequently-used gamma curves of your choice into Nikon's in-camera Picture Control menu. You can then preview the effects of the Nikon Gamma Controls in Live View mode, and select a custom gamma curve suitable for each particular shooting circumstance.

There are two main advantages to using calibrated gamma curves rather than a hand-tweaked "flat" Picture Profile. A log-type profile will typically produce low-contrast images that require post-processing with a color LUT to produce a realistic color palette. Since Nikon Gamma Controls are based on the camera's built-in Picture Profiles, they automatically produce realistic results with no LUT required. More significantly, these calibrated gamma curves can be freely adjusted non-destructively in post, without loss of image detail, using standardized Gamma controls found in all modern video editors. In my experience that greatly reduces the all-too-frequent guesswork involved in color-correcting custom Picture Profiles.

Stay tuned, I plan to post final release details in a separate topic in this sub-forum.
 
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Thanks for the clarification Lpowell. This is all quite a bit above my head. I was able to record some test shots today with a few of the above profiles. I'll try to upload the original files so that all of you skilled color graders can evaluate the pros and cons of each profile.
 
Here are the flat profiles in order from least flat (most contrast before grading) to most flat (least contrast before grading):

Nikon Flat (least flat)
Flaat 10
Flaat 11
Tassinflat
Alvaro-Yus
Cineflat (most flat)

I would hesitate to use Cineflat on the D5100/D7000 as it will produce a lot of noise in the shadow areas in low light conditions. I like Flaat 10 and Flaat 11 overall on my D750/D5300 combo.
 
CineFlat is a super flat pictur profile!
On a d7000 i wouldn't recommend it!
I shot a whole short film on it! There is noise on the d5300 even in very nicely lit scenes!
If you really need that dynamic range ..( it should give more than 12 stops according to me) only then use it otherwise flaat 11 is great! :)
 
Hi there! I need help to set the Flaat 11 into my D800, I spend 2 day tryng to follow the step by step way to do it on http://www.similaar.com/foto/flaat-picture-controls/index.html but unilikely i just cant doit... I will really appreciate a very clear step by step from some one who already did it. I shoot the next 2 day´s a Spot as second camera ( first its a BM ) and must be with this Pic Profile. Thanks in advance ( sorry about my English )
 
You simply copy the Flatt 11 profile to the root folder of your memory card, insert the card into your D800, select manage picture control in the menu, load/save, copy to camera, select Flaat 11. Your D800 owners manual should also explain the process.
 
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