S-Log3 vs HLG3 with 8-bit video on a Sony a7iii

In this video I'm exploring the difference between using S-Log3 and HLG3 on the Sony a7iii. Both are very good in capturing a high dynamic range video but what about those 8-bit colours and the autofocus issue that we sometimes experience with S-Log image profiles?
My website:
www.m1r0photography.com/
My Instagram account:
/ m1r0_life_through_a_lens
My gear:
CAMERAS and LENSES:
Sony a7iii
Sigma 24-70mm f2.8
Tamron 17-28 f2.8
Sigma 105mm f2.8 Art MACRO
DJI OSMO ACTION
Insta360 X3
DRONES:
DJI Mavic Air / DJI FPV
MICROPHONE:
RODE VideoMic NTG, RODE wireless GO
Software:
Davinci Resolve Studio 18, Abobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop
Music and SFX:
Epidemic Sound

[@csanchezfilms1680]

I really appreciate that you are making video about the Sony a7iii.

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Thank you very much.

[@assaf_story]

so much effort, so much good and straight-to-the-point information - thank you so much man

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hey thanks a lot. I really appreciate it. Cheers!

[@jp.sebastian]

Dude... this was so incredibly well-informed. Thank you. Subscribed

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello. Thanks a lot and welcome to the channel. Cheers!

[@raffiputra244]

Great video! I always expose my HLG3 in -0.3 EV to preserve highlight details, then adjust the exposure in editing. HLG Footage tends to have very clean shadows, even when adjusted to +1.0 exposure in premiere. So, sightly underexpose + pull shadow/exposure in post production

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!

[@Dincerssssss]

That was what I wanted to ask exactly in the above comment. So; by underexposing a little, you recover shadow details efficiently and do not need to use nd filter. Am I right?

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Well an ND filter is used to slow down the shutter speed to 1/50s and not overexpose the shot. It's a necessary item in a midday shoot.

[@jeffoberg685]

Hlg3 wants to be exposed much darker than most other profiles. Middle grey is all the way down at 21%. However I tend to expose middle gray somewhere around 28% just to give a little more wiggle room in the shadows.

[@droneruthenes]

Nice video, great work 👍🏻 I use HLG3 every time since I had some issues trying to use Slog3 on 8bit camera.

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello. Yes it works really well with 8bit. No need for Slog3. Thanks for the comment. Cheers!

[@halimrahman]

I used 8-bit cameras and naturally, I'd use HLG3. Now with a7IV and ZV-E1 (10-bit), I've played around with S-Log3, it looks good with shadows fully retained (when properly shot of course), but somehow I still like HLG3 when it comes under a controlled environment (indoor interviews, for example). The result is "cleaner" (sharper) and the skin tone seems better too.

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello. Yes the HLG3 really looks good and the colour rendering is amazing. Thanks for the comment. Cheers!

[@AlejandroMaagno]

Fantastic video!

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Thank you very much. Cheers!

[@HamzaKhan-es2fi]

This video showcased the problems of the Sony A7III so much better then ALL of the other youtuber. I wish I had watched this video first before I bought my A7III

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hey! Thanks. I really appreciate it. Cheers!

[@Dincerssssss]

What can we consider buying instead of a7iii in this case?

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

I would highly recommend the a7IV. Way better in everything when it comes to video. Cheers!

[@danielmihaylov5525]

@@M1R0_Life_through_a_lensAnd way too expensive too, pass 😂👍

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Yeah!@@danielmihaylov5525

[@MeganMahoney-lb2tp]

This was really helpful! Do you have a tutorial on how to actually set it on HLG3?

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello. Set the picture profile PP10. You can also edit every picture profile manually. Cheers!

[@johnvillalovos]

Just curious if you have any initial thoughts on the Lumix S5 mark ii that was just announced.

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello. A video is on the way 👍

[@johnvillalovos]

@@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens cool 👍

[@k-qp2nv]

Thank you so much! Does HLG3 have a "native" ISO on Sony A7iii?

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello again. Set it to the lowest point for best quality.

[@VeeTravels]

This such fantastic demonstration of the Sony camera in the HLG3 Picture Profile, M1R0. The dynamic range is unreal. I am just curious, but which input color space and which color transformation are you using? I am struggling to get the colors right in my recent videos. Here are my settings: Input Color Space: Rec.2020 ; Rec.2100 HLG Timeline Color Space: Rec.2020 ; ST2084 1000 nit Output Color Space: Rec.2020 ; ST2084 10000 nit I would really appreciate the help. I think this video demonstrates the colors so well!

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello and thank you for the nice comment. I'm actualy using th Rec.709 color space because my videos are for KZbin and the Rec.709 is the standard. But in order to get here I have to do a color space conversion, so: - recorded color space (CS) in camera is BT2020 (Rec.2020) - editing timeline CS is Rec.709, Gamma 2.4 (good for monitors and mobile phones) - color space conversion is done in Davinci Resolve using the Color Space Transform tool where I just set the input CS to BT 2020 and everything else is left the same as the timeline, so output CS and Gamma ==> same a timeline. Input gamma is also same a timeline because HLG is a hybride gamma. - I do a basic exposure adjustment - before the Color Space Transform node! - export video... I hope this helps. Cheers!

[@VeeTravels]

@@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens Wow thank you so much. I am worried if I have my timeline set to Rec.709, it might compress the colors too much.

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

@@VeeTravels If the timeline is set to Rec.709, then you see how the end result will look like, if you export in Rec.709. If you are working on a HDR export, then you need a timeline color space with a wider gammut but you also need a HDR monitor to actualy see it. Also if you have video clips that were recorded with a wider gammut, then it makes sense to have a wider gammut timeline just remember that the end result will be in Rec.709.

[@VeeTravels]

My goal is to have my videos exported in HDR onto KZbin so I do not think exporting in Rec.709, Gamma 2.4 will allow that capability. I think exporting in Rec.2020 ST2084 will allow HDR to be detectable on KZbin. Do you think it will be better to convert my timeline to Rec.709 for proper editing using my SDR monitor or would it be better to use a monitor LUT?

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Aaaa OK. In this case you should have the time line at least 2020 or the same as your export colour space. I think you will have to use a hdr monitor for this otherwise you don't see how the end result will look like. Cheers!

[@imelogaming]

What is best for a6400 For best dynamic range can u tell me pp for this and.all setting

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello. On my A7III I use the HLG3 with bt.2020 which is under PP10. It's the best dynamic range vs. colours. Other settings are 1/50s SS, 125 ISO and f2.8. In most cases I use a variable ND filter for this to work. Also make sure to have the proper white balance set. 5500K is neutral. Thanks for the comment. Cheers!

[@antonioathanasiadis3307]

@@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens Hi, very good video. Do you use zebra level and how much?

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

@@antonioathanasiadis3307 Hello. I typically use 55 for the midtones.

[@Dincerssssss]

Do we need to use an nd filter with hlg3 color profile or are we gonna be able to go without an nd filter?

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello. It depends on the brightness of the scene and your chosen aperture value. In midday sun with f2.8 an ND will be needed. Thanks for the comment. Cheers!

[@sajjadakram7006]

Sir how to color grading slog3 video pls make video

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello. Will do. Cheers!

[@sajjadakram7006]

@@M1R0_Life_through_a_lensthanks

[@obarnabas]

I use 8bit RX100. I prefer HLG3 over Slog. You mentioned that in bright conditions Slog is better. But why? The lowest ISO is 800 you loose so much detail in the brightest conditions unnecessarily. Even in your video in the brightest scenes the HLG3 looked better most of the cases. I'm still just experimenting with HLG and my experience is also that you have to underexpose when filming you can add light way easier to HLG than darken the overexposed sky or lights. Not to mention that Sony TVs and even iPad detects HLG when playing back raw footage and it plays back as HDR fixing the exposure and colors on the go.

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello. Slog3 on an 8bit camera really only works if the scene is really bright and most of the details sit in the highlights. Otherwise the lack of colours make the image fall apart. Log should really be used with 10bit colours. This is why HLG looks better with 8bit. In any case if you want to do some colour separating in post, 8bit will not be good enough. Especially if the scene is mostly composed of shadows. Thanks for the comment. Cheers!

[@SatongiFilms]

HLG is a pain with color. as standard it comes in BT2020, converted to 709 skin tones look wrong. Slog/Sgamut colors FTW

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello. Thanks for sharing. I typically don't have problems with HLG but hey. Cheers!

[@valendis]

In every example I preferred the HLG3

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello. It does look good especially on an 8bit camera. Thanks for the comment. Cheers!

[@khaledsamra2500]

Thanks Who is better in your opinion Slog3 or HLG3 Which do you prefer in terms of dynamic range and color depth?

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello! With a7iii it's HLG3. Just looks better with 8-bit. With a7iv S-log3 and 10bit. Thanks for the comment. Cheers!

[@novikovgarage_SPB]

S- Cinetone !

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Ha! Would love to have it on a7iii. Thanks for the comment. Cheers!

[@ixography]

I have never an issue with autofocus when I use slog assist. However I only shoot in slog2 during the day and hlg at night .

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Thanks for the comment. Cheers!

[@wedworkflow]

HLG3 just give 0.4 stops in the comparison pp off. Most important that the bt.2020 gamut doesn't have huge magenta shift like a bt.709 in A7iii's color science.

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello. Interesting. I've actualy never tried the PP off ;) Will give it a try. Thanks for the comment. Cheers!

[@wedworkflow]

​@@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens Don't forget reduce highlights from 109% superbrights. It gives you +1 stop. But again it is bt.709 gamut with magenta shadows and gain spherical aberrations.

[@k-qp2nv]

i shot my first video on sony a7iii and hlg2 but i chose 709 - do you think i will have issues grading the footage? also, does a7iii have a native iso for HLG3?

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello. The bt.2020 has a larger gamut so more colours to choose from. I'm not sure if it makes a big difference with 8bit recording. The a7iii doesn't have a dual native ISO so try to keep it as low as possible in any PP. Thanks for the comment. Cheers!

[@wedworkflow]

Just create rec709 timeline, put your clip on it and apply "SDR confirm" plugin.

[@shamusic04]

Great video ! But the audio is really rough.

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Sorry about that ;). Thanks for the comment. Cheers!

[@roman_pokora]

8 bit cameras work better in S-Log2

[@roman_pokora]

Also I should mention, clipping point in S-Log2 or 3 on minimal ISO is the same as the clipping point on minimal ISO in HLG or any other profiles, the only thing that changes is your shadows and middle gray exposure. So, if you shoot in HLG without clipping on minimal ISO and your face is slight underexposed then you shoot in any sort of Log, then your face will be exposed closer to correct middle gray exposure and you will see less of color or compression artifacts and the same amount of noise.

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hello. Thanks for the info. Yes the Slog2 is a better choice for 8bit. Honestly HLG vs Slog2 is pretty much the same just the colours render out cleaner with HLG. I appreciate you stopping by. Cheers!

[@EFM_Max_Production]

Sorry, but this the most useless video that I saw on the topic of Sony profiles! (HLG/SLog)

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

Hey! Thanks for sharing. Will do it better next time. Cheers!

[@romansixbert4529]

Be kind! Learn to appreciate

[@EFM_Max_Production]

@@romansixbert4529 They value what is truly useful. There are 0 benefits from this video

[@MarioHilgenfeld-wh7hx]

​@@EFM_Max_Production Don't be so stingy with your feedback. Without more details, neither he nor we can learn anything from it. You seem to know more than the rest of us, so why not share your insights?

[@M1R0_Life_through_a_lens]

😉