Get GH4 V-LOG for FREE !!

Chad Hucal · September 19th, 2015, 11:13 AM

First, thanks for that video Luc. I'm glad no one grabbed your camera and ran out the door when you were in the fast food restaurant.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around why I would need/want this particular VLOG feature. I still have firmware 2.2. From what I see it only flattens the dynamic range of the image and desaturates it. I know that's a good thing so that you have more freedom and options in post to do specific color corrections and looks, but is it really any different than using Cinelike D with a few custom settings?

I use Cinelike D with some custom settings gleamed from either Tom Antos or Phil Bloom's suggestions. That gives me a desaturated and flat image that I'm able to mess around with and apply different great LUT's from Color Grade Central.

I assume this is all the same thing? VLOG is just a specific variation? Am I missing something?

Ted Ramasola · September 19th, 2015, 12:32 PM

I'm still in testing Phase of putting Vlog against the other profiles but so far this is what I gleaned from my own tests.

Cine D at its default setting can be made to look just as flat as VLog using custom luts. But Vlog has unique characteristics to consider as another tool in your kit.

Slight detail is gained in the shadow area versus Cine D. This is even greater compared to Standard profile.

For Highlights, VLog handles falloff much better than cine D and other profiles.

And here is the best improvement for me. Vlog has better and more natural looking skin tones.

I did a controlled test to change ISOs and maintaining similar exposure on a set by only controlling aperture.
My ISO used in a series of test are 400(lowest in vlog) 800, 1600, 2500

My conclusion is, 800 seem the cleanest, followed by 400. Is 800 the base ISO? I don't know.

Gary Huff · September 19th, 2015, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Ramasola

My conclusion is, 800 seem the cleanest, followed by 400. Is 800 the base ISO? I don't know.

400 is the base ISO and it's also the lowest you can set. On the A7R II Slog2 works the same way, you cannot set the camera lower than 800 when you are in Slog2 mode.

The reason 800 can be cleaner than 400 is that the image in front of you needs 800 ISO sensitivity in order not to be underexposed, which is tricky since Vlog L only has that small window of 7.5-79 IRE in which to work

David Parks · September 19th, 2015, 02:02 PM

800 ISO is the base for Vlog not 400. Vlog L icurve is pretty much the same as Vlog for 12 stops. That is why you can apply the Vlog technical LUT. Vlog L was designed to match with Varicam. The other base for Vlog on the Varicam 35 is 5000 ISO but Vlog L cut off around 1600 ISO. If you want to u understand vlog l then study the Panasonic documentation of Vlog and its curve characteristics.

http://www.dvinfo.net/article/acquis...ate-suite.html

Luc Spencer · September 19th, 2015, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Ramasola

And here is the best improvement for me. Vlog has better and more natural looking skin tones.

from my vid, the part with me in front of the camera, I can't see it. natural gives better skin tones. but all i did was apply the v709 lut, did you do anything else? i did not try reducing red in the midtones like you said.

Luc Spencer · September 20th, 2015, 07:36 AM

From yesterday's wedding:

LEFT: V-Log + V709 lut + RGB curves to reduce redness + fast color corrector to increase contrast and saturation 160%

RIGHT: Standard profile [was lazy yesterday] + RGB curves for some minor color adjustment [was a really tough reception, did not get the WB quite right. 2500K and pushing it further into the blues still did not get rid of enough red it seems]

Both at ISO 2000. Still seeing more noise in V-Log, which is a no-no for me. I'm on the edge many times as it is. However, I do have to admit I like the extra detail visible in the black dress. But I think I could have had the same result if I had filmed in Natural or CineD with lowered contrast and such.

Noa Put · September 20th, 2015, 08:06 AM

I"m just wondering if you cannot get the same or maybe even better result just using the cine-d profile and then experiment with i-dynamic, I used it like that in my last personal project and found that the result seemed pretty good without so much hassle with right exposure, noise and the burden of extensive colorcorrection.: (vimeo.com/137750652) There was enough detail in shadows and parts where the sun was shining when you look at the last part of the video at that castle, what more could a v-log do in such a case?

Luc Spencer · September 20th, 2015, 09:02 AM

I decided just yesterday to sell my wondlan carbon fiber stabilizer and probably get the HD2000 like everybody else. Was really excited to see how great your footage looked in that vid, I didn't even know about that product. But apparently it's unusable with the 7-14mm lens, too heavy *sigh*

Noa Put · September 20th, 2015, 09:30 AM

They just released a new and improved version which is for heavier camera's, no idea on price though: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asBW...ature=youtu.be
and yes, the version I use is only suitable with a 12mm or 9-18mm if you use a gh4, you can use heavier lenses but you are pushing or go over it's limits.

Brian Duke · September 21st, 2015, 12:46 AM

Question: Why am I getting an almost white image, like REALLY white image with the vlog? This was Interior stuff and I had shot some exterior which seemed much more contrasty.

Vishal Jadhav · September 21st, 2015, 01:22 AM

I guess interior you do not have much of shades of light giving you a more white like image , exterior has brighter contrasts and hence a slight better image.
Believe me thats the image that Vlog gives and thats why it is so nice to edit it in post.

Brian Duke · September 21st, 2015, 02:09 AM

It ended being fine once I messed around with it..

Another question... I keep seeing a temperature change, like a flicker throughout from greenish to reddish.. Could that be fluorescent light? But I have never seen that before shooting under fluorescent ceiling lights.

Bram Corstjens · October 16th, 2015, 06:55 AM

Anyone have a link to the 2.3 firmware?

Panasonic has released 2.4 with the following change...

Date/Version Description
2015/09/17
Ver.2.4
Improved V-Log L setting issue of firmware Ver.2.3.

Bram Corstjens · October 29th, 2015, 07:41 PM

Hmm, not sure but I thought I already posted this...

Older version Image App:
Zippyshare.com - com.panasonic.avc.cng.imageapp-1.zip

2.3 firmware
Zippyshare.com - GH4__V23.zip

Noa Put · October 30th, 2015, 01:03 AM

My guess is that Chris removed your links as it is not allowed to link to "illegal" software on this forum.

September 19th, 2015, 11:13 AM	#46
Chad Hucal Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 77	Re: Get GH4 V-LOG for FREE !! First, thanks for that video Luc. I'm glad no one grabbed your camera and ran out the door when you were in the fast food restaurant. I'm still trying to wrap my head around why I would need/want this particular VLOG feature. I still have firmware 2.2. From what I see it only flattens the dynamic range of the image and desaturates it. I know that's a good thing so that you have more freedom and options in post to do specific color corrections and looks, but is it really any different than using Cinelike D with a few custom settings? I use Cinelike D with some custom settings gleamed from either Tom Antos or Phil Bloom's suggestions. That gives me a desaturated and flat image that I'm able to mess around with and apply different great LUT's from Color Grade Central. I assume this is all the same thing? VLOG is just a specific variation? Am I missing something?

September 19th, 2015, 12:32 PM	#47
Ted Ramasola Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Allen, Texas U.S.A Posts: 1,117	Re: Get GH4 V-LOG for FREE !! I'm still in testing Phase of putting Vlog against the other profiles but so far this is what I gleaned from my own tests. Cine D at its default setting can be made to look just as flat as VLog using custom luts. But Vlog has unique characteristics to consider as another tool in your kit. Slight detail is gained in the shadow area versus Cine D. This is even greater compared to Standard profile. For Highlights, VLog handles falloff much better than cine D and other profiles. And here is the best improvement for me. Vlog has better and more natural looking skin tones. I did a controlled test to change ISOs and maintaining similar exposure on a set by only controlling aperture. My ISO used in a series of test are 400(lowest in vlog) 800, 1600, 2500 My conclusion is, 800 seem the cleanest, followed by 400. Is 800 the base ISO? I don't know. __________________ Ted Ramasola http://ramasolaproductions.com

September 19th, 2015, 02:02 PM	#49
David Parks Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 789	Re: Get GH4 V-LOG for FREE !! 800 ISO is the base for Vlog not 400. Vlog L icurve is pretty much the same as Vlog for 12 stops. That is why you can apply the Vlog technical LUT. Vlog L was designed to match with Varicam. The other base for Vlog on the Varicam 35 is 5000 ISO but Vlog L cut off around 1600 ISO. If you want to u understand vlog l then study the Panasonic documentation of Vlog and its curve characteristics. http://www.dvinfo.net/article/acquis...ate-suite.html __________________ David Parks: DP/Editor: Jacobs Aerospace at NASA Johnson Space Center https://www.youtube.com/user/JacobsESCG

September 20th, 2015, 07:36 AM	#51
Luc Spencer Major Player Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Romania Posts: 201	Re: Get GH4 V-LOG for FREE !! From yesterday's wedding: LEFT: V-Log + V709 lut + RGB curves to reduce redness + fast color corrector to increase contrast and saturation 160% RIGHT: Standard profile [was lazy yesterday] + RGB curves for some minor color adjustment [was a really tough reception, did not get the WB quite right. 2500K and pushing it further into the blues still did not get rid of enough red it seems] Both at ISO 2000. Still seeing more noise in V-Log, which is a no-no for me. I'm on the edge many times as it is. However, I do have to admit I like the extra detail visible in the black dress. But I think I could have had the same result if I had filmed in Natural or CineD with lowered contrast and such. Attached Thumbnails

September 20th, 2015, 08:06 AM	#52
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: Get GH4 V-LOG for FREE !! I"m just wondering if you cannot get the same or maybe even better result just using the cine-d profile and then experiment with i-dynamic, I used it like that in my last personal project and found that the result seemed pretty good without so much hassle with right exposure, noise and the burden of extensive colorcorrection.: (vimeo.com/137750652) There was enough detail in shadows and parts where the sun was shining when you look at the last part of the video at that castle, what more could a v-log do in such a case?

September 20th, 2015, 09:02 AM	#53
Luc Spencer Major Player Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Romania Posts: 201	Re: Get GH4 V-LOG for FREE !! I decided just yesterday to sell my wondlan carbon fiber stabilizer and probably get the HD2000 like everybody else. Was really excited to see how great your footage looked in that vid, I didn't even know about that product. But apparently it's unusable with the 7-14mm lens, too heavy sigh

September 20th, 2015, 09:30 AM	#54
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: Get GH4 V-LOG for FREE !! They just released a new and improved version which is for heavier camera's, no idea on price though: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asBW...ature=youtu.be and yes, the version I use is only suitable with a 12mm or 9-18mm if you use a gh4, you can use heavier lenses but you are pushing or go over it's limits.

September 21st, 2015, 12:46 AM	#55
Brian Duke Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hollywood, California Posts: 899	Re: Get GH4 V-LOG for FREE !! Question: Why am I getting an almost white image, like REALLY white image with the vlog? This was Interior stuff and I had shot some exterior which seemed much more contrasty. __________________ Visit me and my work at www.artofduke.com

September 21st, 2015, 01:22 AM	#56
Vishal Jadhav Major Player Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Pune, Mah , India Posts: 445	Re: Get GH4 V-LOG for FREE !! I guess interior you do not have much of shades of light giving you a more white like image , exterior has brighter contrasts and hence a slight better image. Believe me thats the image that Vlog gives and thats why it is so nice to edit it in post. __________________ vishal jadhav www.indianwilderness.com

September 21st, 2015, 02:09 AM	#57
Brian Duke Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hollywood, California Posts: 899	Re: Get GH4 V-LOG for FREE !! It ended being fine once I messed around with it.. Another question... I keep seeing a temperature change, like a flicker throughout from greenish to reddish.. Could that be fluorescent light? But I have never seen that before shooting under fluorescent ceiling lights. __________________ Visit me and my work at www.artofduke.com

October 16th, 2015, 06:55 AM	#58
Bram Corstjens Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Netherlands Posts: 126	Re: Get GH4 V-LOG for FREE !! Anyone have a link to the 2.3 firmware? Panasonic has released 2.4 with the following change... Date/Version Description 2015/09/17 Ver.2.4 Improved V-Log L setting issue of firmware Ver.2.3.

October 29th, 2015, 07:41 PM	#59
Bram Corstjens Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Netherlands Posts: 126	Re: Get GH4 V-LOG for FREE !! Hmm, not sure but I thought I already posted this... Older version Image App: Zippyshare.com - com.panasonic.avc.cng.imageapp-1.zip 2.3 firmware Zippyshare.com - GH4__V23.zip

October 30th, 2015, 01:03 AM	#60
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: Get GH4 V-LOG for FREE !! My guess is that Chris removed your links as it is not allowed to link to "illegal" software on this forum.