Filming in S-Log 3 on a Sony camera can be a great way to capture high dynamic range footage with lots of detail in the shadows and highlights. However, the footage can appear flat and desaturated straight out of the camera, which can make it difficult to assess exposure and color during shooting. In this article, we’ll go over the basics of filming in S-Log 3 on a Sony camera, and how to use user-made LUTs to make your life easier.
What is S-Log 3?
S-Log3 is a logarithmic gamma curve that is designed to capture a wide dynamic range of light. By compressing the dynamic range, more detail can be captured in the shadows and highlights than in a standard gamma curve like Rec.709. However, because the gamma curve is non-linear, the resulting footage can appear flat and desaturated, making it difficult to evaluate exposure and color.
How to Shoot in S-Log 3
To shoot in S-Log 3 on a Sony camera, you need to first navigate to the Picture Profile menu in your camera’s settings. From there, you can select PP7, which is the profile that is designed for S-Log 3.
Once you have selected the S-Log 3 profile, you will need to adjust the exposure of your camera. Because the S-Log 3 curve is designed to capture a wide dynamic range, it is important to expose the footage correctly to avoid clipping the highlights or crushing the shadows. The recommended exposure for S-Log 3 is to expose your subject at 18% grey, which can be achieved by using a grey card or a light meter.
Using LUTs to Make Your Life Easier
While filming in S-Log 3 can be a great way to capture a wide dynamic range, it can be difficult to evaluate exposure and color during shooting. This is where user-made LUTs come in. A LUT, or Look-Up Table, is a mathematical formula that can be applied to footage to adjust the color and exposure.
There are many user-made LUTs available online that are specifically designed for S-Log3 footage. These LUTs can be loaded into your camera or applied during post-production to quickly adjust the color and exposure of your footage. Some popular LUTs for S-Log3 include the FilmConvert LUTs and the LUTs included in the Adobe Premiere Pro Lumetri Color panel.
Tips for Filming in S-Log 3
When filming in S-Log 3, there are a few tips that can help you get the best results:
- Use a grey card or light meter to ensure correct exposure.
- Avoid overexposing the highlights or underexposing the shadows.
- Use a LUT to quickly adjust color and exposure during post-production.
- Use a monitor with a built-in LUT to evaluate exposure and color during shooting.
- Experiment with different LUTs to find the one that best suits your project.
Conclusion
Filming in S-Log 3 on a Sony camera can be a great way to capture high dynamic range footage with lots of detail in the shadows and highlights. However, the resulting footage can appear flat and desaturated, making it difficult to evaluate exposure and color during shooting. By using user-made LUTs, you can quickly adjust the color and exposure of your footage, making it easier to get the results you want. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to capturing beautiful, cinematic footage with your Sony camera.
