Log-to-Rec709 Reference

What is Log footage?

Log (logarithmic) gamma is a recording mode where the camera compresses the full dynamic range of the sensor into a wider tonal range than Rec.709. The resulting footage looks flat and desaturated — shadow detail and highlight detail are preserved rather than rolled off. This gives you significantly more latitude in post: you can recover blown highlights or lift dark shadows without introducing banding or colour noise.

Why you need a technical LUT first

Applying a creative colour grade directly to log footage produces wrong results because the tonal response is non-linear. A creative LUT built for Rec.709 footage assumes a specific gamma curve. When applied to log, highlights are crushed and shadows are over-brightened. The technical LUT corrects the gamma curve back to Rec.709 before any creative work begins.

S-Log2 vs S-Log3: which should you use?

S-Log3 is Sony's recommended log profile for most cameras since 2016. It allocates more code values to the shadow region, giving cleaner shadow recovery in post. S-Log2 is older and flatter — it requires more aggressive correction and doesn't benefit from the improved shadow handling. Use S-Log3 unless your camera only supports S-Log2.

C-Log vs C-Log3: the Canon choice

Canon C-Log (sometimes called C-Log1) is the original, very flat profile. C-Log3 was introduced later with a gentler curve that's easier to grade — it's more similar to S-Log3 in feel. For most production use, C-Log3 is recommended. C-Log2 sits between them and is rarely used outside dedicated cinema work.