Mastering S-LOG: Are You Using it Right? Exposing and Color Grading Tips Revealed

Why is everyone always talking about shooting in S-LOG? What is S-LOG? When should you use S-LOG? How do you properly expose LOG footage? How do you color grade LOG footage? In this video, we'll take a look at all of these things and get you off to the races using LOG footage!
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Table of Contents:
0:00 - Intro
1:18 - What Is S-LOG?
3:10 - Why and When should we shoot S-LOG?
5:04 - How To Properly Expose S-LOG intro.
5:34 - Turning On S-LOG
6:39 - Exposure Tool: Gamma Display Assist
7:35 - ETTR
7:55 - Exposure Tool: The Histogram
8:30 - Exposure Tool: Zebras
10:00 - When should we clip the highlights?
10:40 - Using Your Base ISO
11:14 - How To Color Correct LOG Footage
11:41 - Method 1: Using Grading Tools
12:28 - Method 2: Using a LUT
13:16 - Method 3: Color Space Transform (3 Ways)
14:40 - Conclusion
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Gear That I Use or Recommend:
Cameras:
▸ Sony A7IV - geni.us/sonya7iv_01
▸ Sony A1 - geni.us/sonyalpha1
▸ Sony FX3 - geni.us/sonyfx3_01
▸ Sony ZV-E10 (aps-c camera) - geni.us/sonyzve10
Full Frame Lenses:
▸ Sigma 24-70 f2.8 (best all around) - geni.us/O8eum
▸ Sony 16-35 f2.8 GMii (best wide angle zoom) - geni.us/aUDS
▸ Tamron 28-75 f2.8 ii (affordable all around) - geni.us/jAFz
▸ Sigma 16-28 f2.8 (affordable wide angle zoom) - geni.us/sigma1628_01
Aps-c Lenses
▸ Sigma 16mm f1.4 (best wide angle) - geni.us/Dunna16mm
▸ Sigma 30mm f1.4 (great mid range) - geni.us/dunna30mm
▸ Sony 18-105 f4 (best all around) - geni.us/Dunna18105
Audio:
▸ Rode Video Mic Go ii (on camera mic) - geni.us/54CjkY2
▸ Rode Wireless Go ii (compact wireless system) - geni.us/rodewgii
▸ Deity D4 Duo (tiny dual on camera mic) - geni.us/deityd4duo
▸ Rode Podmic (voiceover & podcast mic) - geni.us/rodepodmic_01
Lighting:
▸ Aputure Amaran F22c - geni.us/amaranf22c
▸ Aputure 300d ii - geni.us/aputure300dii_01
▸ Aputure 200x - geni.us/am200x
▸ Nanlite Pavotubes - geni.us/pavotube30xii
▸ Aputure MC (pocket sized rgb accent light) - geni.us/c8HAAnq
Other:
▸ Shimoda Explore V2 (main camera backpack) - geni.us/shimodaexplorev2
▸ WANDRD PRVKE 31L (other camera backpack) - geni.us/wandrdprvke31l
▸ Peak Design 45L (travel/camera backpack) - geni.us/peakdesign45L
▸ 3Legged Thing Punks Brian Tripod 2.0 (travel tripod) - geni.us/3ltpunksbrian2
▸ Freewell Magnetic Variable ND Filters - geni.us/freewellmvnd
▸ Peak Design Camera Strap - geni.us/peakdesignslide_01
▸ Peak Deisign Capture Clip - geni.us/peakcaptureclip_01
Complete Gear List:
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[@skymakai]

As someone who already knows all this stuff... This is SO GOOD! Seems like so many people are explaining Log in a way that creates more confusion, then also telling them, "just add saturation and contrast." It's refreshing that you made such a clear and complete tutorial on Log!

[@dunnadidit]

Thanks so much!!

[@marscell151]

for real.

[@davidpoo66]

Ok good job, I'm confused 😮

[@jeromegrier6229]

I thought I was the only 1 hearing that from other videos..

[@kevinwhalen9377]

Finally a video with a simple explanation of LOG using graphs and charts instead of having to visualize the whole thing. Nice work!

[@dunnadidit]

Glad to hear it helped!

[@tomdemeo2708]

Simple? I’m dizzy

[@cynthiahanna2276]

I've watched countless hours of video to try to understand SLog3, and this is by far the best tutorial I've come across! You answered so many of the questions I had, and also questions I didn't know I should be asking. Thank you so much!

[@geodude4real]

I watched hours of videos to learn so much of this over the last week and a half. I wish I'd watched this first. You explained it with all the examples and "why"s and "because"s that all the other videos left me wondering. Such a perfect video

[@metallicakevin1]

As a completely begginer, this is best video i've seen about this topic

[@dunnadidit]

Thank you so much for saying that!

[@neilaldwinnazar4446]

Yes bro, as a beginner, He explained a lot that nobody else.

[@PREPPERINES]

Man this is very well done. I’ve been feeling so overwhelmed lately man. Being a beginner and learning as much as I can I’ve been scared of slog. Not only did this video chill me out with the awesome music, but it was very informative my guy. Thank you so much!!!

[@gekalskip]

your explanations are the best out there, the way you start with the simple basics and progress the complexity later on is amazing for amateur-professionals like myself. Thanks a lot!

[@teambiscuitstudios]

Dude, this is a great explanation. I thought I was beginning to grasp s-log but this video has added another dimension to that understanding. Your tutorials are both entertaining and very helpful. Thanks man...

[@jonathanshilton]

Hands down the best video on S-Log. I’ve watched tons of videos and this simplifies it, but doesn’t lack detail. I started shooting video for clients a couple of years ago. I’ve been avoiding shooting S-Log because of the exposure and editing difficulties and for fear of messing up the shoot. I’ve tried several other profiles, but with real estate being my main subject, I need the best dynamic range, so I’m gonna have to bite the bullet and get on with it. This video has really given me the confidence to do it. Thanks!

[@singaporedan7701]

Thanks for taking the trouble for preparing this extensive and simple to understand video on S Log. You have put in alot of effort. I appreciate it

[@juliantheeditor]

This is exactly what I needed to grasp S-Log much easier. Thanks a bunch for posting! Great videos!

[@arranpbrown]

This video was EXCELLENT, Dunna! So well put together, and simply explained. I feel like I’m 90% of the way there with S-LOG footage, but this just added that remaining 10% of missing knowledge! I hope this video gets the love it deserves! 👏

[@dunnadidit]

Thanks so much!!

[@DavidPilcha]

This was by far the best and easiest to understand video about S-Log. I've attempted to shoot with log before but had no idea how to handle the footage until now. Thank you very much for this amazing explanation and yet another great video. :)

[@grzegorzcaputa]

I am here for the first time! I've been using S-log for years and I know what it is, but I still love this movie. Good job!

[@PaperKittenProd]

This!!!!! This is by far the best video on this subject, specially the last part. Congrats man!

[@EVOlutionHTC4g]

I just switched from Panasonic to Sony and I’m glad I looked at this video, because you simplified the whole thing for me.

[@gedreeves9692]

Great video Dunna. Have been shooting s-log3 for about 6 months now and having this video would have helped me learn it a lot quicker back then 😂😂 I am finding a lot of luck with the Phantom and Victor Laforteza S-log3 LUTs, would definitely recommend anyone to check them out!

[@southflcc]

This is quite possibly the most clearly informative and well organized explanation of the entire process, thank you. I have been confused for ages and never found true answers until now

[@dunnadidit]

Thanks for letting me know!

[@ottokite]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. That's the first time anyone has explained this so clearly.

[@rtejerof]

Your videos are always amazing, but this is definitely one of the best. I learned a lot!

[@simontchoukriel]

Sick. Thank you for sharing such great tips on how to properly expose and color grade. Keep it up!

[@jonathanellis5811]

So anyway: I think I’ll stay just a photographer for now.

[@craigmawanga8353]

😂😂😂. I'm on video number 5 now trying to understand S-Log

[@squaresaucemedia]

This is hands down the best slog breakdown I’ve seen out of many. Definitely subscribed. Also liked the video on how you set up in a small space. Dope channel really enjoy it .

[@MauriceMercado]

This was very helpful I am new to Sony and recently started using the A7IV For work. I came from Nikon DSLR. Needless to say it’s been a big learning curve for me. I am now a hybrid shooter. And I’ve had a difficult time wrapping my head around S log in general. Thanks for making this video congrats on all of your channel success. Like many others you are an encouragement to a smaller channel like myself.

[@MiggyBars]

I've been struggling so hard with getting into the in's and out's of LOG in general. You helped me sooooo much in my understanding and comprehension. This stuff can be very intimidating straying away from standard picture profiles. So thanks for helping me jump in full force!! 🙏 Great content man.

[@AaRi3Lf]

Thank you so much for that well needed video!!! Very clear and it has all the information I needed. :D will check other videos , thanks!

[@Slowsteading]

Super helpful intro to the world of S-LOG, thanks for breaking it down! Loved all the Victoria footage in the examples as well 👌

[@VisualsByWonga]

NAILED IT!!!! I'm a self taught videographer and photographer and you literally made me understand everything like I was a 5 year old. Super grateful!!!!! This video was super informative. Can't wait to start shooting in Log

[@nitinmeria]

After watching dozens on YT videos on SLOG what I liked about this is : 1. Only you mentioned about Gamma display assist 2. You taught us how to find the correct zebra level for our camera and our pp 3. Explained in a layman way of all the nitty-gritty on log profiles which basically would apply to any camera capable of shooting log. Thank you for doing this wonderful work hope you achieve what you desire. Peace ✌

[@adventure_photo]

Best explanation I’ve heard yet! Thanks, just what I needed to start using S-Log. 👍

[@islandskateboarding2709]

Man your channel is my new favourite when it comes to these things, it's helped me a lot !!

[@starskymedia]

This should have millions of views! Incredible and simple explanation, great video mate

[@eddy4943]

Video was so great , the histogram trick completely helped with the noise

[@angelthman1659]

Great video! The best and clearest I've seen on this topic.

[@easybreezy5820]

Great video! I loved starting with the basics and the step-by-step tutorial! Awesome work! Thank you!

[@rav_666_]

So much effort was put into this video and as a newbie, I appreciate the clear explanation and visual presentation!

[@Ricky-vz2xn]

Thanks Dunna, I'm an experienced photographer used to shooting in raw but a video newbie. Your vid gives me a good basic overview to start shooting in S-Log, without confusing the concept with lots of tech info. I had a basic grasp of why I should use log, but thus far had never ventured beyond using S-Cinetone. I just never quite got around to understanding the specific settings to use in practice, so this helps demystify things and gives me a base to start growing my practical and theoretical understanding. Things differ slightly from model to model. Picture 'profile 8' isn't shown in the menu on my FX3, but this looks to be set via the 1st menu, 1st sub item (Image Quality/Rec) then 4th lower menu (Log Shooting Settings). I see I can switch off or select between 3 options (Flexible ISO / Cine EI Quick / Cine EI). I know Cine EI just gives ISO options of 800 and 12800 only. This may be a good choice when I better understand it, but I'm going to start experimenting with 'Flexible ISO' and look at grading within DaVinci (something else I need to spend time learning how to use). One general 'thing' I find confusing with Sony menus is a tendency to 'grey options out' and declare something like "This operation or setting not available as follows" then reference one of the earlier settings, already selected, without much (well any) real explanation of the what and why. But I'm slowly getting there.

[@mediabykim]

Echoing all the comments. Finally a simple and straightforward learning format. Thanks for thinking like a beginner when creating this video!

[@deardaughter]

This may be the single most useful video on the internet.

[@davinshi.visuals]

GOOD STUFF! I’m a Canon shooter and I’m glad you said “this applies to majority of log footage”. Seems like not a ton of info is out there for Clog but there is a ton for Sony since it’s video first. Thanks for this!

[@eamonshields2754]

Super helpful, awesome stuff thanks!

[@annextesfaye7088]

Very helpful video. I'm trying to work my way up from A7IV S-Cinetone to LOG. I'll definitely refer to this video when it is time. Thank you!!

[@rkivlogi]

Far the best video on Log. I just hit the like button 15 times just because the video was so so good. (As always) Thanks!

[@abhishekbajpai4936]

I have subscribed to you today, I'm lucky enough to find your video first while looking to learn S-Log, I'm new to this and will start shooting in S-log now and hopefully your channel will help a lot. You are doing a great job.

[@divides_by_zero]

Great video. Very educational. You packed so much useful information into a short video. I've been wondering what all this S-LOG stuff is about, but I didn't want to take a bunch of time going down the KZbin rabbit hole to figure it out. Thanks!

[@dunnadidit]

Glad to hear you say that! I worried I was skipping over too much, but the this was what I thought was the most important stuff

[@davidandresgarzonvelasquez3229]

Hey man ! Thank you a lot, such a good video . You explained very clear.

[@omarortizytc]

finally something simpler and easy to understand! thank you Dunna!

[@matthewjamesduffy]

THIS is the video I needed haha. I really like how you explain WHAT IS S-LOG and not just how to edit it, as I am a total noob with colour grading. Super helpful thank you!

[@dunnadidit]

Nice! This is exactly the response I was hoping for!

[@lamarthomas1127]

This is the best video I've seen on understanding log video. As a new aspiring videographer this was great. Thank you for the info!

[@dunnadidit]

So glad to hear that!

[@jackfisher7274]

I'm brand new to log... like 3 hours brand new! Super helpful video... Thanks

[@Andre.Waterman]

Awesome video! Very helpful!! Thanks brother!

[@lammai8886]

amazing videos Dunna, i'm just starting to learn this and yours are the best out there.

[@jennifercall9014]

Good video. Definitely need more of these type of videos.

[@survivetoptraining]

Thanks, so far one of the best explanations !!! really helpful

[@dafe3707]

That gamma display trick is a lifesaver!! thank you!!

[@AlexKovshovik]

Again, excellent and very practical! Thank you!

[@SecdumSociety]

FINALLY !!!!!!! Thank you so much. Simple but detailed . Thanks bro !

[@gospyder]

Great video! I’m definitely going to start. It just seemed daunting but as you mentioned , practice! 👍🏼

[@unexplainedoccurrences]

Thank you, I feel very lucky to have found this video, really has helped. Great video, thanks!

[@matthazey7746]

Great explanation! Loved it!

[@Daibutsumusic]

Just started with my FX30, and wanted to know all the things you've mentioned in this video. I'm going to be doing a lot of low light (nightclub environments) video work, and want to make sure I understand how (and when!) to use SLog3. This was amazingly easy to understand and follow. I'll be coming back for more info. Thanks Dunna!

[@GratiasK]

AMAZING TUTORIAL GENUINLY HELPED ME

[@TravisMThompson]

I applied all your tips to my Sony A7C thanks for the informative video! Loving the zebra display!

[@levelupwithmikenewman]

This is absolute gold. I started to get serious about my channel for gear reviews a little over a year ago. I have a Sony ZV-E10 with sigma 16&30mm lenses. I have struggled to get a handle on the s-log, color correction since jumping into a Sony Camera and using it outside of my studio. Your video is beyond helpful!!! So digestible! If you would ever have the time to jump into a podcast in the future to help explain this to my viewers (how to level up for beginners) it would be awesome. Regardless, your channel is outstanding, presentation amazing, digestibility of your information you give - amazing. Thank you!

Best summary of this topic on YT. Now I'm ready to buy the ZV E1

[@igorpapana1875]

You're really good at explaining how things works, you make your audience to really understand what are you talking about.👍

[@dunnadidit]

Thanks Igor!

[@matthewosbornmedia8828]

As someone who knows this information but has learnt this through a lot of trial and error and poor tutorial I wish I had this a couple of years ago. Top work as always and this is something I can share now when I get asked

[@dunnadidit]

Thanks dude! Glad to hear you think it’s well put together!

[@DwellonJen]

this was so helpful! thanks for the video! :)

[@agentdvois]

This is the most in depth S-Log video I've ever seen. I'm on my 3rd time watching to fully get it, but very well done

[@dunnadidit]

Thank you so much!

[@xannymusic]

Bro made it so simple for us to understand! Legend

[@LouiDVisuals]

Thanks! Watched a loooot of these kind of videos explaining how to expose slog 3 correctly but this one was def the best yet!

[@dunnadidit]

Great to hear! Thanks!

[@felixs.8905]

Shot my Videos before in LOG, but without realy understanding how to professional deal with it. I realy love your Videos, their are so easy to understand, funny and i like the look of your videos. Keep going :D

[@Tonewooduk]

Thank you so much for this information, you made it so easy for me to understand.

[@oliverlloyddesign]

As always, SOLID video!

[@styloggers]

Fantastic video man👍. Now i will be shooting in s log3. Thank you

[@motonagam]

It was a very informative video! Thank you!

[@sambrad94]

Thought I knew enough about S-Log 2 footage turns out I don’t 🤣 thank you for this brilliant video! So helpful!

[@Titocorrea650]

Very nicely done. Thank you so much.

[@ColMadden]

Thank you for the clear explanations. I now have a much better understanding of the subject. I appreciate the effort you put into making the video.

[@atanuly]

Helped a Lots.. thanks 🙏

[@John_Lilley]

omg 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 such a great explanation. Now I get it. thank you!!

[@prefix808]

SOLID video and advice, thanks Dunna!

[@rndm_diary_stuff]

this is so good, fast and specific

[@RKAlapana]

Good and explained in a detailed way....thanks

[@Yolocheese]

You definitely earned a sub buddy! Amazing tutorial! GOD bless

[@Brian444]

Awesome video. You’re a really great content creator and I always look forward to your newest vids. Keep it up 🤙🏽

[@dunnadidit]

I appreciate it!

[@SethFox94]

Incredibly powerful video, tons of knowledge compressed in a way that's easy and quick to understand and apply. SOLID work man.

[@dunnadidit]

Thanks so much for the positive feedback! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Alexinf1]

I am Literally just now getting into photography and videography, so to just have this video come out before my first camera (a7iv) even before it ships is a blessing!

[@dunnadidit]

Ayyyyy! So exciting the a7iv is fantastic!

[@petaren]

Thank you for this video! Very well explained. Definitely a Video I needed to watch, but did not know how to phrase and search for.

[@dunnadidit]

That’s great to hear!

[@casquinha7863]

thank you so much, really really helpful and well explained!!!

[@FightingMSA]

I was so used to being filmed for the 2 documentaries about my rare and terminal illness that I got brave enough to buy my own camera (which I call Augie) I admit I am still a complete newbie, but liked the way you explained it. Thank You. Austin Crawford

[@HarrisonFamilyValues]

I just started shooting log footage. Learning a lot but still have a ways to go till I get comfortable.

[@TourayMediaGroup]

Great content as allways!

[@paulponcet2547]

thank you, once of the best video for slog

[@ark-a4924]

great informative video bro, thanks

[@davidson2812]

Awesome explanation, thanks

[@mrpeoples01]

Greg video and info, thank you!

[@NickandRachel]

Thanks for the video very well put together! Could you make a tutorial video using slog 3 on one of your hikes and showing how to use it run & gun style with conditions that are out of your control?

[@mortystation]

15:20 I was going nuts trying to correct a sunrise shot with a LUT, but tat is the key. Soved. THANKS!

[@Trevellian]

Great overview. Have you considered creating a series of videos on this topic, each a deeper dive into one particular area? Scopes, color grading, 3rd party LUTs.

[@dunnadidit]

Not yet! But I’ve got a list I’m working my way theough