Nikon Z8 & Z9: How to Film in N-LOG, Unlock the Hidden Features & Everything You Need to Know

[@SooksVI]

In the latest firmwares, Nikon enabled low ISO settings down to an equivalent ISO 200. Nikon says this doesn't hurt dynamic range and helps with cleaner shadows. Of course you'll only be using this in bright conditions.

[@CameraToFreedom]

Now I have to see! What would be amazing!!!

[@jamescohen]

I just wanted to say how really useful and appreciated this video is. The REC2020 tip alone was worth the time invested, but I made all the changes. Looking forward to checking out the results. This is one of the very best, if not the best setup for a Z8 Z9 for video I've seen so far. Again, thank you!

[@CameraToFreedom]

Man James! That’s the nicest comment ever! Appreciate you!

[@jamescohen]

@@CameraToFreedom One question: When I ETTR if the footage looks over exposed, how do you darken it without making it look under exposed? With my Sony when I use S log they all say to ETTR (expose to the right) but the only way to make it look right is exactly the right LUT. Any videos on grading footage exposed your way please?

[@CameraToFreedom]

@jamescohen James I have to see what you’re talking about. Sorry I couldn’t be more help.

[@jamescohen]

No worries. I'll play around with it more. Hoping there is also a zebra setting I can use to check exposure along with the histogram.@@CameraToFreedom

[@MarkoTomic]

Great video, I would like to see more video centered content for the Z8/Z9

[@CameraToFreedom]

More to come Mark and thanks for the comment!

[@richards1243]

What do you film your KZbin video in. Log or a certain pic profile

[@CameraToFreedom]

What’s up Richard. I use my z6 with 35mm f1.8 lens with neutral profile color then I color it up

[@apexhobbies]

I've been struggling to get NLOG to look how I want for a while but this was a HUGE help! Best tip was the curve instead of the LUT, and converting to rec2020. I can't believe what a huge difference that made. Thank you!

[@CameraToFreedom]

Glad to be of service!

[@CTMPRODUCTIONSLLC]

Any workaround to having to convert each file one by one??

[@CraigEggleton]

Thanks for rec 2020 suggestion. Huge difference.

[@CameraToFreedom]

Thanks for letting me know! :)

[@FullXposure758]

Bro the view assist tip was very useful, had no idea

[@CameraToFreedom]

Yeah I love that feature too! Makes such a huge difference. Thanks for letting me know man!

[@martin1233761]

facts because i came back to nikon after shooting sony for a couple years and sony got gamma display assist

[@CTMPRODUCTIONSLLC]

Thanks for the video! I had no idea that I had to change from 709 to 2020 in premiere. What do you do when you have to combine your footage with DJI footage? Do you shoot log with the drone?

[@CameraToFreedom]

I shoot log with my drone when I shoot log with my camera. You can mix those two. Thanks for the comment!

[@petersuvara]

Working out how to do the wave form took me a while also. :)

[@CameraToFreedom]

You have to actually research your camera to know all the cool features it has. Not like anyone tells you except our KZbin videos. Thanks for the comment Peter!

[@petersuvara]

@@CameraToFreedom pretty much. KZbin is the best for the camera community.

[@MooseManNaturePhotos]

Thanks so much, very helpful. I'm about to dive into NLOG and you've taken a lot of the gulp factor out of it! And I ordered an ND filter, thanks for that too!

[@CameraToFreedom]

Thank you so much for ordering the filter from my code! I’ll be making more nikon z8 videos for sure!!

[@jessehavok4181]

Do they not have zebra warnings for over exposure? I thought that was standard for all cameras.

[@CameraToFreedom]

Yes you can turn that on. I personally don’t like it on so I didn’t mention it.

[@AngelinaArabellaPhotography]

Hey thanks for the video! I do have a question, maybe you would know the answer? It's my first time recording in N-Raw 12-bit (NEV) N-Log at 4k 30p on my Z9 (I am currently learning DaVinci and moving away from Premiere) but anyway, the video is only 5 minutes long, however the NEV file seems to be super huge about 35gb and when played back in the software it is soooo slow to the point I can't effectively edit the file. As for premiere, it doesn't recognize the file at all (if that is at all relevant to the issue). Did I do something wrong? Should I just use the mp4 file that the recording came with (it saved as 2 files. one mp4 that is 1gb, and one NEV file that is 35gb). Thank you.

[@CameraToFreedom]

N-raw does take massive storage. You only use n raw for big video projects because of that. I usually use n-log for most of my video project. If you do use n-raw, you use the ‘proxy’ mp4 file which makes it easy to edit. You can attach those two files together in davinci. They do that on purpose cause most computers can’t handle editing that big of a file. Premiere isn’t nraw compatible yet but soon I’m sure.

[@AngelinaArabellaPhotography]

@@CameraToFreedom Thank you for the clarification! :)

[@AngelinaArabellaPhotography]

@@CameraToFreedom Makes sense! Thank you!

[@jamesgrove]

Thank you! Been pulling my hair out as a photogrpaher now using the video function of the camera as well.

[@CameraToFreedom]

Thanks James for letting me know in the comment! You still learning the ropes on photography? I should make best settings for photography video.

[@felm.974]

That was very helpful, thank you brother, I love my Z8 as well.

[@CameraToFreedom]

Thank you felm for your comment! Appreciate it :)

[@paulc2929]

Great Video and as a new Z9 owner that does video we need more detailed video specific reviews. I shoot Sony video as well but wondered why Nikon codec file sizes (even H265) is so large. shooting like 20 sec of video can be 800mb

[@CameraToFreedom]

That is one thing I wish nikon gave us options for. The file sizes are massive!

[@combat_casual]

Huge help in using log on my z8. Thank you!!

[@CameraToFreedom]

Glad to be of service and thanks for letting me know!

[@robertpizzo5681]

Another fantastic video!!! I have a question. I am coming from the Nikon Z6 and just purchased the Z8. I do product videos, social media ads, and company service overviews. What would be a good codec for me? Should I be shooting in NRAW or NLOG or I see I can do both. I want the workflow that is the easiest to work with and I use DaVinci Resolve and Premeire Pro.I like to color grade but like the piece of mind if I over or under expose I can correct it.I will be primarily shooting in 4K. Thank you for all your videos!

[@CameraToFreedom]

I would avoid nraw since it takes so much space in your card. Use blog if you need it to look like a movie quality. For social media I’d just use the regular video h265

[@robertpizzo5681]

@@CameraToFreedom Thank you for the quick reply, do you mean N-Log or where can I access B-Log?

[@robertpizzo5681]

@@CameraToFreedom also, do you use a mist filter on your footage? It always looks so smooth!

[@90sayan]

Whenever i am shooting in NLog in Z8 and trying to playback the same afterwards in camera it is only showing first 4-5 seconds. Any idea what i am doing wrong

[@CameraToFreedom]

I have never heard of that or had that happen. Double check on your memory card. Try using a different card either sd or cfast card.

[@StoicShutter]

Check you video settings. If you are trying to shoot 8k, you will need an ULTRA fast memory card. Even some of the other 12 bit codecs require a VERY fast CFExpress card. The CFE cards I had for my Z6 were even a bit too slow for the Z8. Seems like you are hitting the buffer zone and the recording is stopping. Also, try turning on the red recording border to see if it might just be the recording stopping. Makes it easier to see at a glance.

[@connorthompson05]

Your video helped me out greatly. Not sure why these settings are hidden in such a way. Thanks.

[@CameraToFreedom]

I’m sure they really didn’t mean to hide it but it would’ve been better if it was right in front of your face huh? My nikon z6 has it on automatically. As long as we know how to do it then it’s good. Loving your z8? My favorite camera ever this year!

[@nikitagouezel]

Great videos, great transmission, thank you very much from France!

[@CameraToFreedom]

Thank you Nikita!

[@leoramos2024]

Hafa Adai! 🤙🏽

[@CameraToFreedom]

Hafa Adai!!! 🇬🇺🤙🏽

[@jakilahmoulien9070]

I'm nice waiting for the Nikon Vs RED colour science comparisons😔

[@CameraToFreedom]

I have both. That will be my next video!

[@carternewton7465]

Update ! Nikon just released RED cinema lits for Nikon cameras!

[@CameraToFreedom]

Yeah that is so awesome! I wonder what else nikon is going to do with Red! Nikon z10 with red camera sensors! Or red camera that can take photos?! Hope they don’t ruin it 🙏🏽

[@gohilsavio]

ZF Nlog ❤

[@CameraToFreedom]

❤️😎

[@avinashrai11141]

Hard to understand why log videos are shot at higher iso even in bright day light even though the sensor can do much much lower iso and in case of z8 it is iso 64 which is almost 4 stops slower compared to 800 for log. This it can eliminate need for ND filter too.

[@CameraToFreedom]

Camera sensors have their best native iso setting. Some 800 and some 400. This helps catch the best dynamic range. When you go too low then the sensor then darker part of the image would be destroyed. It is weird when you think about it.

[@avinashrai11141]

@@CameraToFreedom But in case of Nikon z8,native ISO is 64 and 800 almost 4 stops higher than 64.

[@CameraToFreedom]

Get your K&F Concept Variable ND filters with my discount code MYONG at is.gd/p8Za03 and thank you for your support!

[@Vladi_mir_M]

CHROMATIC ABBERATION!! 😂

[@CameraToFreedom]

What’s up Vlad! Yeah that word is complicating 😜