Picture Profile for Run & Gun

[stevedocmaker]

Slog2 is great when exposed properly and graded well. But I and several others have mentioned the need for a PP that works less structured situations. Here's my first attempt. This still needs to be graded, but I like the results. This is not scientific, I don't have scopes, just an eye.

BTW, I'm finding that the deep reds need to be toned down and the greens are too blue in all the Movie, Pro, and S-log color gamuts (the only ones I've tested), so there's a secondary CC on the graded image to effect these changes. Also levels and curve adjustments.

Black Level: 0
Gamma: Cine1
Black Gamma:Middle, Level: 0
Knee: Auto, 100% Max Point, Mid sensitivity
Color Mode: Movie
Saturation +6 (could be a bit higher and toned down in the grade)

Straight out of the camera:

Graded:


I tried the Pro color mode, but I like the skin tones better with Movie. I had to crush the blacks, so changing the Black Gamma Level could yield a better straight-out-of-the-camera result. But in keeping with the theory that the closer you get to black the noiser the data gets, and since I'm going to grade and add a curve anyway, I'm content with this. A Cine2 gamma would add more contrast and require less curve adjustment, but I feel that you're flirting with disaster in the highlight detail if you go that route.

Grading was done in Premier Pro CC.

Feel free to chime in and/or offer adjustments!

 

[Mattoid]

My initial impression was that the graded shot has the blacks crushed a bit too much. I think a little bit more low end contrast in the picture profile and you wouldn't even need to grade to achieve the look you are going for.

I think the skin tone is pretty good. Its a shame that some of the highlights in the background are blown out. Have you experimented with the knee setting to see which retain the most detail?

I graded this in photoshop. Just a slight curve adding a tad of contrast in the shadows and a mild magenta bias with the colour balance to correct the slight green tinge I perceived on the chair back. (-2% shadows, -1% midtones, -5% highlights)

 

[cpc]

I generally find greens going blue better than pure greens.
BTW, Sony recommend using Cinema color mode with Cine gammas. Maybe it is best to use this color mode as a starting point in tuning a profile.

 

[cyork]

The blowout is to be expected. That's a tough exposure for any camera if you're not exposing for the window, controlling the light with a full. Natural light? That ain't bad at all. That said, cine 1 is full range I think, whereas cine 4 is broadcast safe so watch those scopes to make sure you aren't loosing the goods.

 

[stevedocmaker]

I generally find greens going blue better than pure greens.
BTW, Sony recommend using Cinema color mode with Cine gammas. Maybe it is best to use this color mode as a starting point in tuning a profile.

Obviously you don't live in Seattle. lol

I'll try the cinema mode for kicks, but it looks to me at first glance that it's too impressionistic. The movie mode/cine1 combo seems to give me the most neutral base from which to start, at least in my playing around so far.

 

[Demistate]

The blowout is to be expected. That's a tough exposure for any camera if you're not exposing for the window, controlling the light with a full. Natural light? That ain't bad at all. That said, cine 1 is full range I think, whereas cine 4 is broadcast safe so watch those scopes to make sure you aren't loosing the goods.

I just plugged the A7s camera into scopes. Cine 1 is full range, Cine 2 is the same but clamped in TV range, Cine 3 and Cine 4 are both full range.

At least on the FS700, Cine 1 and Cine 4 have the same dynamic range, Cine 1 gives more preference to the lower 50% of your range, and Cine 4 gives more preference to the upper 50% of your dynamic range.

 

[cyork]

I just plugged the A7s camera into scopes. Cine 1 is full range, Cine 2 is the same but clamped in TV range, Cine 3 and Cine 4 are both full range.

At least on the FS700, Cine 1 and Cine 4 have the same dynamic range, Cine 1 gives more preference to the lower 50% of your range, and Cine 4 gives more preference to the upper 50% of your dynamic range.

So, are you actually cutting anything worth keeping by using cine2 or is it just doing the work for you when it comes to reducing the full range clipping going on in premiere and FCPx?

 

[Demistate]

It doesn't actually clip off any of the dynamic range, it just legalizes the signal for you. Great for saving a step in post if you know You're going to not do heavy post.

Getting those extra 32 values in 8-bit can be good, but in my expierence, the codec already trashes everything below 16 due to the fact it's probablly not going to be seen. Going past 235 is very usable though.

 

[stevedocmaker]

Again, this is a PP that I intend to grade, I just don't want to have to be worried about exact exposure in the field. I also like the fact that you can use this with auto ISO, and fine-control exposure (ISO) with the compensation dial on the top of the camera. Very quick and ergonomic.

I've changed the Black Gamma setting to Middle, level: -6 and like the results.

There's some good info on the gamma curves here: http://www.video-gear.com/blog/using-picture-profiles-on-the-sony-fs-700 In a quick test, cine4 seems to tweek the colors a bit compared to cine1, which I find to be more more neutral overall.

I've done some quick tests with Movie vs Cinema color modes, and Cinema seems a bit more neutral, but if you're trying to match a Canon, Movie might be a better bet (it looks like yellows and reds are more saturated in Movie mode).

I've also tried lifting the black level to +2, just to help avoid those noisy bits at the bottom of the curve, especially if the scene is a bit under exposed.

Overall I think this is a good alternative to shooting Slog2 for field work.

 

[cyork]

Yeah, I'd say you have a good profile there, Stevedocmaker. It's a must to have something that can deliver a good SOTC. I'm hoping James Miller gives us a MMP2 equivalent in the future. Loved that profile on the FS100.

 

[Erik Naso]

Slog2 isn't the "all around" best gamma to use. If the shot isn't contrasty your really just making it harder or more complicated for no reason.

I too am liking CINE1 and CINE2. Pro looks good with both and add a little extra saturation works well. Around + 3 or +5.

 

[cyork]

Erik, yeah, better add sat in camera for sure. Pushing color back is just....well, backwards. Just trying to nail skintones and detail out of the camera for faster turnarounds and event work.