Unlock Cinematic Color Grading with Phantom LUTs
If you're a filmmaker or videographer who shoots with Sony cameras, achieving that coveted cinematic look is likely one of your top priorities. Enter Phantom LUTs, high-quality color grading tools that can make a world of difference to your post-production workflow. In this blog post, I'll break down what Phantom LUTs are, how to use them effectively, and some best practices for working with them on popular Sony camera models.
What Are Phantom LUTs?
LUTs, or Look-Up Tables, are essentially color presets that adjust the color and tone of your footage. Phantom LUTs are specifically designed for filmmakers who want a polished, cinematic finish. Whether you're shooting with an A7S III, FX3, FX30, or ZV-1, these LUTs can help you unlock the full potential of your footage.
Why Use Phantom LUTs?
Phantom LUTs stand out because they are optimized for Sony cameras, allowing you to make the most out of your camera’s dynamic range and color science. They come in two main types: Standard and Legacy. Each type serves a unique purpose:
Standard LUTs: Ideal for matching footage with other AR cameras and for modern Sony sensors. They offer natural contrast and work well for most filming scenarios.
Legacy LUTs: Designed for low-light situations or older Sony models. They deliver more contrast and encourage slight overexposure for a more natural look.
Shooting Tips for Optimal Results
To get the best out of Phantom LUTs, you need to start with a solid foundation. Here’s what I recommend:
Shooting in S-Log 3: This is crucial as it maximizes your camera's dynamic range (up to 15 stops on models like the A7S III or FX3). S-Log 3 ensures you capture more details in both the highlights and shadows, which can be a game-changer in tricky lighting.
White Balance Settings: Start with these recommendations:
Outdoor Daylight: 5,500 Kelvin
Indoor Daylight: 5,000 Kelvin
Night Shoots (Indoors or Outdoors): 4,300 Kelvin
These settings can vary, so don’t be afraid to adjust based on your specific scene. If you're working with multiple cameras, a custom white balance or a color chart is invaluable for maintaining consistency.
Exposure Techniques: Exposing correctly can be the difference between footage that’s easy to grade and footage that’s a nightmare. With newer Sony models (A7S III, FX3), you can often expose normally without issues. For older models or in low-light situations, slight overexposure helps reduce noise and brings out more detail in the shadows.
Best Practices for Applying Phantom LUTs
Once your footage is ready, it’s time to apply the LUTs. Here’s how to do it for the best results:
Start at 100% Strength: Applying the LUT at full strength allows you to see its intended look, including the gamma curve, contrast, and color settings. From there, you can tweak it to suit your needs.
Grading Workflow in DaVinci Resolve:
Start with a blank node.
Apply the Phantom LUT to a second serial node.
Make color adjustments in the first node so that the LUT node remains untouched.
Choose the Right LUT Version:
65x LUTs: Best for post-production with the highest level of precision.
33x LUTs: Ideal for in-camera monitoring due to their smaller size.
For final exports, always use 65x LUTs to achieve the cleanest and most detailed results.
Special Tips for Using External Monitors
If you use an Atomos monitor, be aware that sending an S-Log 3 signal directly to the monitor can sometimes appear overly contrasted. Phantom has monitoring LUTs designed to correct this, giving you a more accurate preview of your footage.
Avoid Common Pitfalls
Do Not Bake LUTs In-Camera: Baking a LUT into your footage can lead to issues like banding, particularly if your camera uses lower-quality interpolation. It’s always better to shoot in S-Log and apply the LUT during post-production.
Use Tetrahedral Interpolation: For smoother color transitions, set LUT interpolation to “Tetrahedral” in both DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro. Final Cut Pro users are in luck, as this setting is enabled by default.
Post-Production Settings for Best Results
To get the most out of Phantom LUTs, make sure your post-production software is set up correctly:
DaVinci Resolve:
Set your color science to DaVinci YRGB.
Set the timeline and output color space to Rec. 709-A.
Premiere Pro:
Enable Tetrahedral LUT interpolation for smoother color.
Final Cut Pro:
You’re good to go! Tetrahedral interpolation is enabled by default.
Final Thoughts
Phantom LUTs can elevate your filmmaking, bringing out the best in your Sony footage and giving it that cinematic flair. With the right shooting techniques, application methods, and post-production settings, you can transform your raw clips into polished, professional-looking visuals.
If you found this guide helpful, be sure to experiment with Phantom LUTs on your next project. And as always, don’t be afraid to tweak and personalize your settings to achieve the look that fits your style best.
Happy filming!
