Editing D-LogM video with DaVinci Resolve

KLJ5 · Jan 21, 2025

Hi everyone. I've been using D-LogM when shooting video with both my Mini 4 Pro and Mavic 3 Pro and edit with DaVinci Resolve. I'm wondering if any of you have any tips for use of Color Management settings. Firstly, from settings, would you prefer to use Color science DaVinci YRGB, or would you be inclined to use Color science DaVinci YRGB Color Managed and check the Automatic color management box? If the latter, my 'input color space' defaults to Rec .709. I've tried that and I've also gone to the DJI > DJID-Gamut/D-Log, which I thought would have been the best option. However, the result is way overly saturated and way too contrasty. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Also, are you inclined to import and use the DJI LUT's when color editing? I'd like to hear about that, please. Thanx in advance for any feedback.

MavicAir2Marc · Jan 21, 2025

You might try this...

JoelP · Jan 21, 2025

So for ACIS the input color should be DJI Dlog?

skiguy1701 · Jan 25, 2025

JoelP said:
So for ACIS the input color should be DJI Dlog?

Since you use DVR, the best thing you can do is subscribe to Darren Mostyn on YouTube. Here is the DEFINITIVE way to process DLog-M using Resolve. He is talking about the Osmo but this applies to all DJI drones that use DLog-M
Hope this helps!

jephoto · Jan 27, 2025

skiguy1701 said:
Since you use DVR, the best thing you can do is subscribe to Darren Mostyn on YouTube. Here is the DEFINITIVE way to process DLog-M using Resolve. He is talking about the Osmo but this applies to all DJI drones that use DLog-M

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Hope this helps!

Def knows his stuff. But needs to lay off the coffee…
Yikes

Split-Infinitive · Apr 3, 2025

JoelP said:
So for ACIS the input color should be DJI Dlog?

Sadly no.

Theres D-LOG and D-LogM

Most drones these days are D-logM. The Resolve input isnt for that. It tends to produce oversaturation and messed up blues when used.

Another option is use something like Leeming LUTs which convert it directly to full Rec.709 complainant Gamma 2.4

Salamifish · Apr 19, 2025

I have a new update on my DJI transforms for DJI DLog M. It has changed since Mavic 2 Pro and seems to be the same for DJIMini4pro, DJI Air3/3s, Mavic 3 Pro, some Osmos and a couple of others. Davinci DJI transform HDR V6

Filmarik · 2025-05-10T16:42:54-0400

Salamifish said:
I have a new update on my DJI transforms for DJI DLog M. It has changed since Mavic 2 Pro and seems to be the same for DJIMini4pro, DJI Air3/3s, Mavic 3 Pro, some Osmos and a couple of others. Davinci DJI transform HDR V6

From my experience grading Dlog-M footage does not require LUT. The DJI D-log M to rec709 LUT is way too contrasty IMHO. All the Dlog M footage really needs is to bump contrast and saturation a bit and apply a gentle S curve and tweak WB if your footage color is a bit off. You can adjust highlights and shadows if the scene was too contrasty like sunrise and sunset, and that is all you need to do to make the color and tonality to look ok.

Salamifish · 2025-05-10T16:51:55-0400

If that works for you that is totally fine. Wouldn't use DJI D-log M to rec709 lut as well. For my transforms it is more like bringing the DLog-M from a technical standpoint from something not defined to something known which makes it easier to work with it on professional and semi professional projects, especially if other camera sources need to match.

Filmarik · 2025-05-10T16:57:05-0400

Filmarik said:
From my experience grading Dlog-M footage does not require LUT. The DJI D-log M to rec709 LUT is way too contrasty IMHO. All the Dlog M footage really needs is to bump contrast and saturation a bit and apply a gentle S curve and tweak WB if your footage color is a bit off. You can adjust highlights and shadows if the scene was too contrasty like sunrise and sunset, and that is all you need to do to make the color and tonality to look ok.

Sorry, I did not mean to reply to your post or question your wisdom but rather reply to the OP's original question. I incorrectly used the "Post Reply"

motocatfish · 2025-05-11T21:43:24-0400

KLJ5 said:
Hi everyone. I've been using D-LogM when shooting video with both my Mini 4 Pro and Mavic 3 Pro and edit with DaVinci Resolve. I'm wondering if any of you have any tips for use of Color Management settings. Firstly, from settings, would you prefer to use Color science DaVinci YRGB, or would you be inclined to use Color science DaVinci YRGB Color Managed and check the Automatic color management box? If the latter, my 'input color space' defaults to Rec .709. I've tried that and I've also gone to the DJI > DJID-Gamut/D-Log, which I thought would have been the best option. However, the result is way overly saturated and way too contrasty. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Also, are you inclined to import and use the DJI LUT's when color editing? I'd like to hear about that, please. Thanx in advance for any feedback.

I use DV Resolve to edit DJI's D-Log M video files. I have an Air 3S and an Action 5 Pro. D-Log M is a flattened Rec.709, but the flattening algo is not published by DJI. Grrr...
Go to DJI's support pages and download the specific LUTS for your drone cameras. Install the LUTs.

Most of the YT color graders I've watched setup their Project Color Management as ...
Color science = DaVinci YRGB
(do not check use separate ...)
Timeline color space = DaVinci WG/Intermediate
Output color space = Rec.709 Gamma 2.2

Some use the DJI LUTs as the last node in their node tree, with all of their color-grading nodes ahead of the LUT node. This is what I'm currently doing. Once I defined a template node tree I always use, I followed the steps to convert the tree into a Power Grade. Then its easy to apply the same tree to all new projects & clips.

The DJI LUTs seem to work pretty good, as the additional color grading I need to do is minimal.

Some OTHER YT color graders seem to think you should CST from Rec.709 to DWG in 1st node, color grade nodes next, and the a final CST from DWG to Rec.709 in the last node. WithOUT using LUTs at all. Sounds like MORE color grading will be required without a LUT?

Not sure if CSTs will make a difference, but I hope to test the CST (no LUT) scheme soon.

Good luck!

Catfish ...