Nikon and RED - Streamlined LUTs for Professional Colour Grading!

Nikon's recent acquisition of RED.com signals its bold foray into cinematography. By blending RED's renowned colour science with Nikon's powerful mirrorless cameras, Nikon continues to revolutionise the world of video production. The latest fruits of this partnership introduce Creative LUTs for Nikon's N-Log video format, bringing cinema-grade colour capabilities directly to Nikon users.

Bringing RED's Cinematic Look to Nikon's Mirrorless Cameras

This collaboration enables users of Nikon's N-Log-capable cameras to achieve a RED-like cinematic aesthetic. This development release has been built from RED's history of IPP2 (RED's Image Processing Pipeline 2) LUTs, which were released in 2020. These original RED LUTs were developed for RAW footage to take advantage of the expansive Log3G10 gamma curve and REDWideGamutRBG colour gamut. Fast forward to today, these LUTs are now available across Nikon's mirrorless range, including the Z9, Z8, Z6 III, Zf, and Z7 II, as well as the D780, enabling filmmakers to recreate the rich cinematic colour tones that RED cameras are known for.

It's important to note that an external monitor is required to preview these LUTs during recording. This monitor offers real-time feedback on set, ensuring that the visual quality aligns with the intended post-production result. This enhances the overall workflow and bridges the gap between filming and editing, ensuring consistency in colour and tone.

Four New Creative LUTs: From Artistic to Cinematic

Nikon's newly released LUTs include four distinct creative profiles, each tailored to achieve specific cinematic looks:

Achromic

The Achromic LUT brings a low-contrast monochrome look that retains rich detail, perfect for artistic, moody scenes. It transforms footage into a soft, almost timeless aesthetic, ideal for projects seeking a refined atmosphere.

Film Bias

Film Bias delivers warmth and subtle contrast, emulating the golden hues of traditional film. This LUT is particularly effective for enhancing natural skin tones, offering filmmakers an organic, cinematic starting point for a variety of scenes. 

Film Bias Bleach Bypass

For a more dramatic effect, Film Bias Bleach Bypass recreates the classic high-contrast and desaturated appearance of bleach bypass film processing. The result is a stark, faded visual style that conveys realism with a raw, gritty edge.

 

Film Bias Offset

Designed for those seeking a nostalgic, vintage look, Film Bias Offset uses split-tone colour offsets to evoke classic film styles. With soft contrasts and a subtle warmth, it's ideal for landscapes and artistic sequences, making it a versatile choice for filmmakers aiming for a timeless feel.

These LUTs are available in 33x33x33 .cube format, which makes them compatible with most post-production software, such as DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere Pro.

There's also a New N-Log Technical LUT

In addition to the creative LUTs, Nikon and RED have introduced a new N-Log to Rec.709/BT.1886 conversion LUT. This technical LUT aims to enhance the accuracy of colour reproduction when converting from Rec.2020/N-Log footage, ensuring the faithful rendering of shadows and highlights. Building on earlier improvements from Nikon's firmware 3.0 for the Z9, this updated technical LUT provides greater consistency and accuracy in colour grading, delivering professional results straight from Nikon's mirrorless cameras.

Nikon's Cinematic Future

Nikon's partnership with RED not only expands the capabilities of Nikon's cameras but also sets a new standard for hybrid stills and video production. With more advanced cinematic tools on the horizon, Nikon and RED are poised to offer filmmakers a robust and versatile ecosystem, allowing them to push creative boundaries. For more information on cine equipment that’s tailored to your setup, speak to our team in-store, online or over the phone.