S-Log Settings for color grading

Having trouble color grading your S-Log footage?

Most people shoot S-Log in 8-bit -- this can sacrifice color depth for dynamic range...

Common wisdom is to crank the in-camera saturation up as high as it goes, so it's easier to grade in post. But, this fails to account for one thing: S-Gamut.

See, most people filming in S-Log use the default S-Gamut color space. Problem is, they don't properly transform from S-Gamut to Rec. 709 for grading.

This can cause issues with color accuracy -- especially in the skin tones.

A quick way to solve this issue in Davinci Resolve is to use the Color Space Transform plugin to convert from S-Gamut to Rec. 709.

For those who don't use Resolve, or use Final Cut Pro X or Premiere, a workaround is to change the color space in-camera from S-Gamut to something like Pro or ITU709 Matrix. This will give you more accurate colors, without the headache of trying to increase saturation in post.

[jan.tichavsky]

I suspected that cranking up saturation is not the way to grade colors! Using color spaces and transfer curves properly is much better but one must learn how to do it first, so thanks :)

[josipsuker]

Try making boosting saturation to +32. Add first node and reduce saturation in Resolve. Then, in second node, add color transform. It works. ;)

[bertinidiaz]

Awesome, thank you, perfect solution, and it works for me 🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺👍👍👍👍

[RitmosdelSur]

Itu709 Matrix does not require color transformation?

[isaacsnowhite]

Fantastic..I actually debating Still vs Pro (A6500) over 709..The starting point looks akin to Cine 2 (still) out of the camera but with more wiggle room in the highlights. I realize there probably just 709 variants but has anyone ever tried Still?

[masonthurman]

Do you lose any dynamic range when shooting in rec709? I get that cameras like the Sony a6400 have issues with colors since they are 8 bit but you completely lose the flat profile look when you convert to rec709 in camera