F3 + S-Log + -3dB + Neat Video = SUPER CLEAN!

[Nate Weaver]

I sure with there was a way to get rid of the nasty highlight handling of the F3 without $3700 for S-log. That still looks great.

S-log makes it a new camera.

[Steve Kalle]

Is that the Zacuto Follow Focus, Arri mattebox and Sony prime lens? If so, what are your thoughts on the FF? I use these 3 pieces and don't like the feel of the FF. I don't have a ton of experience with other FF and cine lenses; so, I don't know if it is due to the Zacuto FF or the Sony lens. Essentially, I find it rough and turning the FF is not smooth, which has caused a bit of camera shake even though everything was locked down on a Sachtler Video 18.

About Neat Video: When I got my nanoFlash several months ago to use on my EX3, I extensively tested various PP settings to reduce noise. Then, I combined Cineform and NV to try various settings in order to reduce the noise prior to applying vfx and grading. I found that applying NV before anything else was done greatly enhanced my ability to CC & grade. I brought the nanoFlash video into Premiere Pro, applied NV and exported as Cineform. After that, I edited with the Cineform files and then brought into After Effects for grading. I believe this process is the best because I don't want effects and CC applied to the noise, which can cause other issues and artifacts.

[Mikko Topponen]

It's even better if you use Neat Video in AE in 32-bit mode. It will basically generate new bits into the file and even heavy grading won't cause banding. It's pretty awesome.

[Nate Weaver]

Originally Posted by Mikko Topponen

It's even better if you use Neat Video in AE in 32-bit mode. It will basically generate new bits into the file and even heavy grading won't cause banding. It's pretty awesome.

Really? That's a big deal. Is that an official "feature" that has a name, or just something you found while testing?

I know that in computer-science/DSP speak that's essentially "dithering", but it's also helpful sometimes and I've never known any video app to offer it.

[Steve Kalle]

I have found in both Photoshop and AE that editing in 32bit mode does make a huge difference with color.

[Christoph Tilley]

Originally Posted by Steve Kalle

Is that the Zacuto Follow Focus, Arri mattebox and Sony prime lens? If so, what are your thoughts on the FF? I use these 3 pieces and don't like the feel of the FF.

I am using the Shoot35 FF and Mattebox which I really like. Check it out here: Welcome to shoot35!

[Steve Kimmel]

Originally Posted by Pietro Jona

At what stage of PP do you clean your footage? Is it the first thing you do, the last?
I'm going to try it with what I shoot my EX1 in low light.
Thanks

pietro

I have the same question.


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[Steve Kalle]

Originally Posted by Steve Kimmel

I have the same question.

The best time to clean your footage is the first stage because you don't want effects and color correction/grading applied to the noise. I believe that I stated earlier in this thread that I tested various workflows of when to use NeatVideo. Based on that testing, NV should be used at the very beginning. In addition, it is best to apply NV and export to Cineform, Pro Res HQ or DNxHD, and then edit. During my testing, I exported the same clip to Cineform with and without NV applied. Without NV applied, the resulting Cineform file was more than 3 times the size of the one with NV.

[Steve Kimmel]

Thanks. That's what I've been doing as well. Only issue is it takes a long time to run neatvideo on my native footage.

[Christoph Tilley]

Originally Posted by Steve Kalle

The best time to clean your footage is the first stage because you don't want effects and color correction/grading applied to the noise.

If there just would be a batch feature for NV :-( I would drop my whole footage in a batch and let it process over night or so.