S-Log in Plain Language
- Thread starter Peter G. Johnson
- Start date
Yes, but its not that simple.
You have to expose for it in a certain way, and its really not a good idea to record it to XDcam. You cant really expose for it like you would a regular image. you have to expose far lower in the scale, record externally, then push it back up in post. The truth is, doing what was done in this video is not giving you the full power of what it can give. Exposing your subject at normal levels, is throwing away the increase in latitude. you expose skin @ 40IRE. the first shot of the correspondent is more like what an sLog exposure should look like.
Then in post you drive up the 10bit 422 or 444 external capture image to normal levels. you retain 2 additional stops over key that way, and with the 10bit signal you get no banding or artifacts.
You have to expose for it in a certain way, and its really not a good idea to record it to XDcam. You cant really expose for it like you would a regular image. you have to expose far lower in the scale, record externally, then push it back up in post. The truth is, doing what was done in this video is not giving you the full power of what it can give. Exposing your subject at normal levels, is throwing away the increase in latitude. you expose skin @ 40IRE. the first shot of the correspondent is more like what an sLog exposure should look like.
Then in post you drive up the 10bit 422 or 444 external capture image to normal levels. you retain 2 additional stops over key that way, and with the 10bit signal you get no banding or artifacts.
starcentral
Veteran
I don't think its that simple either, you might decide to pick your skin exposure level based on what else is going on in the scene. If you are indoors you have no reason to expose skin that low in my opinion, outdoors with clipping skies or bright spots yes sure maybe go down a stop or two to protects highlights.
There is no rule where to expose skin.
There is no rule where to expose skin.
Just trying to help.
Do what works for you.
Do what works for you.
The fact of the matter is you expose your shot to reveal or not what you want to. BUT, what Timur says here is accurate in light of the images shown on the OP's linked clip and agree it would be "in general terms" a more accurate approach. Some of what you're seeing in that clip is simply highlighting the cameras incredible low light performance as opposed to DR of S-Log.
starcentral
Veteran
Timur make no mistake, your work is definitely appreciated as its given many of us some clue and tips on how we might go about setting exposure for a scene using SLOG. Many of us thank you for that, and taking the time to test and post results on the board.
I'm just trying to correlate shooting skin @ 35-40 when setting up a scene and pushing up to say 60 in post, and what I might gain or lose doing that. ie. added possible noise but smoother highlights, pros/cons., etc... On a side note, man 13.5 stops is insane!
My own F3 comes this week and slog later on, so I will be able to start my own tests and experiment for myself.
You're not suggesting that if you want black in the final product or look of the scene that you shoot black at 0 IRE are you?
I'm just trying to correlate shooting skin @ 35-40 when setting up a scene and pushing up to say 60 in post, and what I might gain or lose doing that. ie. added possible noise but smoother highlights, pros/cons., etc... On a side note, man 13.5 stops is insane!
My own F3 comes this week and slog later on, so I will be able to start my own tests and experiment for myself.
You're not suggesting that if you want black in the final product or look of the scene that you shoot black at 0 IRE are you?
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My main point being, exposing for what looks good on sLog (in log form), is not what it seems.
Just be careful and do lots of testing.
Just be careful and do lots of testing.
Wave of Light
Carbonite Member
Are you saying, that like film, you don't "see" what you are getting by looking at the monitor in either S-Log or LUT, rather after proper Color Correction you then "see" what you have?
Well that's what the lut is.
It showsyou what you're getting, and gives you a grading reference.
It showsyou what you're getting, and gives you a grading reference.
dcarstens
Well-known member
Just be careful and do lots of testing.
This is the key differentiation between merely copying the techniques of others and actually knowing your tools!
Been shooting a feature w/ it for the past 2 weeks.
I have had the freedom to have 13stops of range in the scenes, and knowing the limits of log has helped me produce some stunning images.
The lut has been key, as it shows me what the final image will look lke while retaining the detail in a natural looking image for the director and producer.
Infact I just shot a scene, where the entire exposure lived between 10 and 25 IRE.
With the lut in place, we were able to see the image with its proper range, and it looked amazing. Definitly a reel piece.
I have had the freedom to have 13stops of range in the scenes, and knowing the limits of log has helped me produce some stunning images.
The lut has been key, as it shows me what the final image will look lke while retaining the detail in a natural looking image for the director and producer.
Infact I just shot a scene, where the entire exposure lived between 10 and 25 IRE.
With the lut in place, we were able to see the image with its proper range, and it looked amazing. Definitly a reel piece.
Duke M.
Veteran
Nope they gave us options. Don't buy it if you don't need it, which makes the camera more affordable for more people. Then when you get the client that wants to go full throttle with 14.5 stops, you can do it with a minor upgrade.
Once the F3 goes to 13.5, you never go back...
LeavingTheCandy
Well-known member
I'm with you Timur! However, I've been shooting outside with it and think I need more ND...LOTS more!
LeavingTheCandy
Well-known member
ND3 and 6? Forget it outside...get double that.
A ND .3, .6, .9 and a 1.2 will do the trick, cause you can use the internal ND and tweak to the desired stop from there.
LeavingTheCandy
Well-known member
I was doing some testing to see how the internal ND's stacked with filters in front of the glass do. I'd always prefer to use a single ND than adding more. As for me, I'll be getting some higher density ND's.
Mitch Gross
Veteran
That video was interesting, although I don't agree with some of his statements on a technical level (of course he notes that he's not a technical guy). I did my own "Why Shoot in LOG?" video a while back using an ARRI ALEXA, again trying to explain the concept in layman's terms. The concepts apply to any camera that allows LOG capture. Perhaps some of you may find it useful.
http://blog.abelcine.com/tag/log-c/
http://blog.abelcine.com/tag/log-c/