D-LogM is too Cumbersome to manipulate - Any Help is appreciated

[marwan_zakaria]

Hello - I was eager to shoot D-LogM (I am an avid photographer), so I did. Viewing files was underwhelming, and I knew I needed to transform the file using DJI LUTs. I tried the DaVinci software, but I got stuck. I watched a couple of videos, and I got lost. I gave up.

I am seeking help from anyone who has a simplified video tutorial or a tool that I can use (with just a few clicks) to see what the D-LogM can offer.

 

[moldorf]

Hello - I was eager to shoot D-LogM (I am an avid photographer), so I did. Viewing files was underwhelming, and I knew I needed to transform the file using DJI LUTs. I tried the DaVinci software, but I got stuck. I watched a couple of videos, and I got lost. I gave up.

I am seeking help from anyone who has a simplified video tutorial or a tool that I can use (with just a few clicks) to see what the D-LogM can offer.

there are a lot of experts here who will have a lot of tools they use and a lot of processes they employ

I have tried DaVinci, Vlogger, Cap-Cut. There are significant learning curves to each

now, I can't tell from your post, but if you're using DLog for video, you might consider AVIDemux. It is a free video editor. I have landed on it as my go-to editor. It is quite a bit simpler, in my view at least, but can do a lot of things as well as those 'bigger' editors. And it can handle DLog files

download and install AVIDemux (assume all the caveats about insuring your computer's security)

Avidemux - Main Page

(again, I don't vouch for the security of anything on the internet)

* install AVIDemux on your system. Now here's the part where you may have to go thru the process of installing various codecs that you may want/need to use

* open AVIDemux. On the main page, toward the bottom on the left there is a drop down menu of the output format, By default for some reason it's MKV output. I always change that to the MP4Muxer

* next, navigate to your DLog file and open it. It might take a few seconds if it's a big DLog file

* by default, on the left column, video and audio outputs will be set to 'copy'. You'll need to change the video with the drop-down menu. Now, I always work with NVidia HEVC but I believe I had to get that codec from Microsoft. But there are other options you may be familiar with like MPEG4 AVC (x264). Select one of those.

* next in the same drop down box, select filters. A new box will open. By default, the left column is set to 'Transform'. Go down 4 places and select "Colors". Then, for Colors, the central column will now have the option of 3D Luts. If you click on that it will allow you to apply whatever DJI Lut (cube) you want to use. Apply it and you'll now be able to see the transformed DLog file

personally I prefer the 'DJI Mavic 3 D-Log to Rec.709 vivid V1.cube'. But a little less dynamic cube is the 'DJI Mavic 3 D-Log to Rec.709 V1'. Obviously, I have a Mavic 3, but you'll need to substitute the cube for your drone

after loading the Lut, you can start to edit and adjust using all the tools in the AVIDemux editors. There's a learning curve, but it is just simpler, and in my view more intuitive. But people who have used more powerful editors are sure to disagree with me on this

again, AVIDemux can do everything I need an editor to do, but that's just me. After using DLog for a year or so, I still can't decide if it's actually better than capturing in normal video and doing minor adjustments

 

[smbishop]

By far, the simplest way to see the Lut in action is to use the DJI Fly app or LightCut. If you choose one step edit, you still need to go into 'Edit more', then filter, color recovery and choose D-LOG M. This will apply the DJI Lut.

In Davinci, if you are using Windows, you need install the HEVC video extensions and I am pretty sure only the Studio version supports 10 bit.

One of the better tutorials and easiest approaches in Davinci Resolve:

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And a simplified version of the same thing:

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[Kilrah]

or a tool that I can use (with just a few clicks) to see what the D-LogM can offer.

What it offers is the opposite of a few clicks, it's more flexibility than standard... but at the cost of knowing what you want to achieve and how to do so. Gotta learn and spend the time.

 

[Felix le Chat]

Hello - I was eager to shoot D-LogM (I am an avid photographer), so I did. Viewing files was underwhelming, and I knew I needed to transform the file using DJI LUTs. I tried the DaVinci software, but I got stuck. I watched a couple of videos, and I got lost. I gave up.

I am seeking help from anyone who has a simplified video tutorial or a tool that I can use (with just a few clicks) to see what the D-LogM can offer.

Davinci Resolve does have a very steep learning curve and the available tutorials can be irritating and confusing, but it is still the only pro-grade (and free) editing suite I have gone back to time and again because it is worth all the long term frustration and head scratching.

Eventually, the penny will drop and you'll start getting the results you're after. Nothing quick and easy gives you worthwhile returns.

 

[Salamifish]

Hi in my opinion (as a colourist) it would be the easiest way to convert it properly into a known grading working colourspace-this way it doesn't matter too much which camera type is the source as long as you convert correctly. All grading operations are then pretty much the same, no matter which camera/drone was used. Common working colour spaces are logc (arri), aces and davinci intermediate. just convert correctly into it, do all the creative stuff in it and apply a working colourspace to rec709 transform in the end.

 

[Xitor]

Easy button is to just apply the DJI lut and then if you want a little color grading.

 

[skyline x]

View attachment 183150
Hi in my opinion (as a colourist) it would be the easiest way to convert it properly into a known grading working colourspace-this way it doesn't matter too much which camera type is the source as long as you convert correctly. All grading operations are then pretty much the same, no matter which camera/drone was used. Common working colour spaces are logc (arri), aces and davinci intermediate. just convert correctly into it, do all the creative stuff in it and apply a working colourspace to rec709 transform in the end.

This would be great, however the issue is DJI doesn't publish their math for dlog-m, because it isn't standardized between models that shoot on it, nor is it true log. There isn't a reliable way to precisely convert it into something like DWG. The only option would be to start coloring, then at the end, use DJI's dlog-m to rec709 lut (specific for each camera). What I have found works better, is to shoot in HLG (works on the pocket 3 and the min 4 pro), since that can be easily converted into DWG. I haven't conducted tests yet, however many people believe HLG is better then dlog-m.

 

[Salamifish]

This would be great, however the issue is DJI doesn't publish their math for dlog-m, because it isn't standardized between models that shoot on it, nor is it true log. There isn't a reliable way to precisely convert it into something like DWG. The only option would be to start coloring, then at the end, use DJI's dlog-m to rec709 lut (specific for each camera). What I have found works better, is to shoot in HLG (works on the pocket 3 and the min 4 pro), since that can be easily converted into DWG. I haven't conducted tests yet, however many people believe HLG is better then dlog-m.

I have transforms for old DLog-M, the new one and some DCinelike conversion. All capable to convert into any colour managed environment. This tool has all my transforms included but I also sell them separately for Davinci Intermediate and ACES.

 

[Droning on and on...]

To get the best video, color grading is always necessary, whether dlog or not.

Most video looks subjectively better to most people with a little more saturation, contrast, and temperature adjustment.

The various log formats just give more room for turning the knobs. Try shooting some standard video and start with playing with the simple contrast/brightness/saturation/temperature/gamma controls. Use some late afternoon footage when the sun is low, near setting but still in the sky, to experiment with. This will help train your eye.

When you get an idea how to "correct" standard video after grading several, tuning dlog will be much more straightforward, and you can add in adjusting highlights, shadows, curves, and some of the more sophisticated controls.