Sony FX6 & FX3: How to EXPOSE S-log 3 in LOW LIGHT. My Settings and no noise at iso 12800.

On a mission to become a true Cinematographer while being the most relatable filmmaker on KZbin :) Not selling useless LUT's but let me know if you want to chat-- bmc.link/abelg...
Just spreading my workflow and settings to expose S-log 3 in low light situation. And how to get the best footage out of the high base ISO of 12800.
I admit it's not as clean as shooting at iso 800. Where I would say if you're over exposing you're doing something wrong. But ISO 12800 is different. Very good and amazing because no other camera can match this. But it requires a bit more light and so I suggest over exposing at least by 1 stop.
The easiest way to achieve this is by monitoring at ei 8000, ei 6400 or max ei 10000. By doing this you footage will look darker on the monitor so you'll try to compensate by moving closer to light sources or opening the aperture.
In post you'll end up with a slightly over exposed log file. Where you should bring the overall exposure down BEFORE converting to REC.709. (Which is why I love the Davinci Resolve node structure for grading.)
Hope I at least helped one person....
All shot on the #sonyfx6 #sonyfx3 in #slog3 and a bit on the #bmpcc6k
‪@sonycine‬
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Talking head setup: Nanlite 60b + Pavotube 30c / Sony FX3 / Nikon AI's 35mm
--- Gear I use for my video production: kit.co/daanhan...
Ciao.

[@RazeN_Gaming]

Is it right that this isnt needed if you film with a Rec709 LUT? That is only for the Slog3 filming workflow right?

[@7thHill112]

Are you showing the menu settings of the FX6? its confusing because the text says FX3 in the beginning - I was under the impression you can't turn of the NR in the FX3

[@Abelgiandop]

That’s indeed true! That’s why it’s even more important to give the fx3 more light. So rate it at ei400-500 at all times so you will overexpose!

[@vegheadrew]

hey mate thanks for the video. I just got an FX6. Is there a way to view my footage in the monitor with a LUT on it, while recording it in S-Log? I know there is, but is there with the monitor that comes with the FX6, or does this only work with external monitors? I'm stuck.. and filming a shoot in SLOG is so boring haa.

[@Abelgiandop]

That’s definitely possible. If you have a lut loaded into the fx6, you can go to the quick menu by pressing once on the menu button. Then go to page 5 “monitoring” and in the stream/vf select mlut on. Shoot me a message on ig if you can’t find it!

[@vegheadrew]

Thank you so much! FOUND!!!@@Abelgiandop

[@Abelgiandop]

No worries. Have fun shooting now :)

[@RazeN_Gaming]

@@Abelgiandop Ok but how can you avoid that your footage isnt already in the LUT look? I have that problem. Loaded a LUT into the fx6 and in Davinci it is already in the LUT look, not Slog3.

[@426Studios]

XAVC-I from what I read is a format that isnt very tasking on your computer but costs you with a very large file sizes. The quality is the same. If you have a good computer, you dont need it. XAVC-S is good enough format because it is the middle ground format. HS is the most ideal because of low file sizes but with the same quality of XAVC-S, but you need faster cards.

[@Abelgiandop]

I’ve had quite some experience with both and don’t fully agree. Of course when you’re running out of memory cards on a shoot please switch to XAVC-S. Because nothing is worse than missing part of the story and coverage is key. But there is a visible difference between XAVC-S and XAVC-I. Definitely in low light XAVC-S is risky. Where you can use it is for interviews with a background that doesn’t change too much there there is no need for XAVC-S. Hope that makes sense😂

[@426Studios]

@@Abelgiandop We just did a test shot on multiple scenarios from daylight exteriors to nighttime interiors with low light. No visible difference. Together with the director of the film we are working with and the colorist, we analyze it and all of us see no difference. Its just that XAVC-I is easier to edit. Even in Sony's documentation there is no mention of better quality. From their documentation itself, they mentioned that XAVC-I is Intra compression which compresses the clip by frame instead of multiple frames by using XAVC-S (Long GOP compression), the reason that XAVC-I is easier to edit for its Intra compression.

[@426Studios]

@@Abelgiandop What Sony claimed though is the XAVC-HS format has higher quality with the same data volume as the XAVC-S but with our test, the difference is very minimal though as long as we have the budget for it, that's format we would be using. If very small budget then we would be using XAVC-S, especially if the budget wont permit us to use V90 cards or the faster CF Express Type A cards

[@Abelgiandop]

For the FX3 I agree! But I don’t think the all intra in 4k on the FX6 is 10 bit and I do see the difference 😅

[@426Studios]

@@Abelgiandop You can't choose a format on FX6 on All-I? No 10 bit options? How's that possible if the A7s3 still can let you choose 8bit or 10bit on All-I?

[@TheDIYFilmmaker]

Great video mate!

[@Abelgiandop]

Thanks much appreciated :)

[@adrianstanciu]

With my FX-30 to get no noise in low light conditions, I ditch Cine EI and use Flexible ISO, so I can go to the loweste value - 200 in my case for ISO. Then of course I need more light, but 0 noise. Dynamic range decreases with this scenario, but what I care (in low light conditions) is to have more stops under middle gray, and ISO 200 has the most - 9. I am a beginner, but this is what makes sense for me - I really don’t understand why it is recomanded to bump the iso higher in low light, this just brings noise, but maybe I am missing something.

[@Abelgiandop]

If you want more stops under middle grey it is indeed advised to use lower iso. What you’re doing is doing it in camera instead of in post production. A faster workflow but less flexibility after shooting.

[@adrianstanciu]

@@Abelgiandop yes, but because of how low the light is if I don't do this, I end up with noise in darken regions. No matter what I do in post, can't get rid of the noise. For my workflow is best to go to 200 and get more stops under middle grey.

[@shaunbless]

Do you expose two stops up in camera ?

[@Abelgiandop]

No not really! Only in lowlight situations when using the Second base iso (12800). Then I advise it.

[@atikanfilms]

Really helpful video! Thank You!

[@Abelgiandop]

My pleasure!

[@DreamSProductionCo.]

Is there noise reduction option on fx3?

[@Abelgiandop]

Hi sorry for the late response have been mia from Yt, but I’m back :) To answer your question. Yes there is. But it’s build in and you can’t change the settings of it. Something I really don’t like actually.

[@nickhansbauer]

This was great! Thank you! I have a couple questions: 1) Do you know if it's possible to shoot in Slog when in CUSTOM mode? (in order to have more freedom with the ISO but still shoot in SLOG) Or does recording in Slog only work in EI mode? 2) In CUSOTOM mode (different base ISO's than in EI mode) How far would you lower or raise ISO in the respective low base and high base modes, before just switching to the other? Like would the advantage of Low Base mode be that I have more dynamic range in bright scenes instead of crassly pushing down the ISO of high base 5000 mode?

[@Abelgiandop]

You can record S-log in custom mode! Just go to the settings > Paint/ Look > Base look > select one without a lut

[@Abelgiandop]

for the 2nd question. Honestly I don't know as I never do that and also not advise to do so. That's why Cine EI exists ofc. But from my experience with Sony cams I'd say 6400 is your switching point.

[@geartools5146]

Thanks for that! My concern is this: when i dialed the fx6 to the 12800 base, but Monitor it in ei6500 isnt that dangerous because the waveform doesnt Show me anymore of something is clipping in the Original footage ?! Great Video

[@Abelgiandop]

I use a external monitor. What I do is: leave a log view on the small monitor on the fx6 with zebras set to 93. This because the log view is not affected. And I view the lut at 6500 ei on an external monitor.

[@TinaKadoic]

Super useful, thank you! Question - how do you get the histogram to show up on Fx6? I can not find it for the life of me

[@Abelgiandop]

For me and I think I haven’t changed it when I press custom button 7 I can toggle between histogram and waveform. And within the assignable button menu it’s called “video signal monitor”.

[@SharifeLove]

What instrumental did you use in this? i watched this vid 3x just to hear it again lol

[@Abelgiandop]

Do you mean the music?

[@kostiaratel]

do you know why even when i'm in cine EI mode and when i change the gain/iso preset nothing change on my screen ? Thank's

[@Abelgiandop]

Do you have the m-lut function on? If you’re sending s log 3 to your monitor it won’t work

[@kostiaratel]

@@Abelgiandop merci beaucoup 🫶🏻

[@HansDtv]

there is a lot of noise in you (this) video right.. why?

[@CurtisRedden]

ISO is different than EI.... It doesnt affect final recorded image...

[@Abelgiandop]

True! EI is used to purposely under or over expose your image. Rating the camera at 8000 ei. Will make your footage look well exposed (if you expose well Ofc) on your monitor but the footage will be slightly over exposed.

[@KydKupa]

So why not just use the VND to gain the look in camera instead of bringing it down in post?

[@Abelgiandop]

Oh no it’s the most important part to avoid noise. Giving the sensor a bit more light while shooting allows for a cleaner image afterwards!

[@bwest6275]

@@Abelgiandop 100%