Video COLOR mode preferences?

[KiterTodd]

What color modes do you like on the M2P?

I don't have the drone connected at the moment, and I can't even find a manual online that goes through all features, so, from memory I think we have

DLOG
HLG
Normal

"Normal" shows the most accurate representation of color, if not a hair too much saturation. The other two modes look very flat but perhaps that is intentional so you can adjust in post. Are you seeing the same?

I watched a comparison video yesterday between the M2Z and the M2P and they noted that the ZOOM is a good bit sharper than the PRO. I actually like a little more sharpness and will probably bump that setting up a click, as I did notice the PRO videos look soft. Maybe that's intentional for the "Pro" users, but I was happy with the old MP sharpness for my use.

Just curious what other people are finding they like.

Also, if you've found a manual out there that steps through all the settings and features, please provide a link. The DJI manual is pretty limited.

 

[gnirtS]

"Normal" is a picture style, its colour graded in software, its sharpened in software and is pretty much "good to go" without post processing. It provides 8 bits per channel of data.
DLOG is a flat profile which will appear faded and washed out along with less sharp. It requires post processing BUT has far more leeway in editing to colour correct. It provides 10 bits per channel data.
HLG is a HDR Log format. Similar to DLOG but geared up for HDR editing workflows.

Most of these comparison videos are junk, they aren't comparing like with like. There are several comparing DLOG to normal footage elsewhere etc.

Basically, if you dont want to edit, use None. If you are prepared to edit every clip than use DLOG.

When it comes to editing, the more thats been done to a clip regarding sharpening, colours and so on in hardware, the less you can get back out of it with software to change.
So a flat colour, less sharpened image is going to give you more scope to work.

 

[KiterTodd]

Thanks, @gnirtS . That helps.

I'll likely end up in Normal, although I do like to do some HDR and/or color correcting editing in post, I don't do it every time. Sometimes it's just a quick share and I don't want more post work than needed. Hmmmm...

 

[gnirtS]

You can do some if you want just not huge amounts.
Dlog 100% requires it on every clip.

 

[GaryOC]

Most of these comparison videos are junk, they aren't comparing like with like. There are several comparing DLOG to normal footage elsewhere etc.

I like to do just a little processing, not a lot, so I tend to use Normal. When I unloaded some of my first footage from the M2Pro it looked so much better than most of what I was seeing on YouTube. It's a different approach and I'm sure I won't get the wider color range from the other options, but it still looks darn good. I'm mostly a photographer and pretty happy with the photos and video from the M2Pro. Even just when using "Normal".

 

[gnirtS]

Normal is fine - the improved sensor and image processor mean the footage is substantially better than the old mpro1.
Where the extra data will come into play are going to be scenes with a lot of range in lighting and things like blue skies where if you pushed too much in editing you'll get banding.

But for most scenes people will play with, normal will be fine.