Hello all,
I am editing videos shot with a Sony FX30 - 3840 x 2160, 24fps, 10-bit 422, 100Mb/s.
Normally I use the default settings in Properties (8-bit full-range etc).
Should I use 32-bit (full range), 32-bit (levels), or carry on using 8-bit? I don’t grade at all as I tend to use the picture profiles on the camera itself for different looks etc.
Many thanks! Build 300 is the best to date in my humble opinion 😀😀
Hi Bryan, I see you are using 10-bit 422. Are you using Slog 3? If you are using log or HLG and adding a LUT or color grading in VEGAS you should switch to 32-bit full with view transform set to off before rendering (it will match 8-bit full). This will avoid banding and other artifacts.
Otherwise if you are just using S-Cinetone or Cine2, etc. you don't really need 10-bit precision so you could stay in an 8-bit workflow. I use Cine 2 and 8-bit full range projects for my own Sony cameras.
If you make the grading/look in the camera, then use 8bit full range.
There are many reasons why you will not be happy with generating a look in the camera only. Differences in luminance and contrast will take place, color correction will be required - even to adapt different shootings to the same basis color.
So, this is not what is typically done. Typically, you would shoot in log in your FX30 - and make the grading in your grading application. Means - that you will transform the flat log picture in either rec709 for SDR (or sRGB for a monitor präsentation), or to HDR (HDR10 or HLG) if you wish to present the footage on an HDR-monitor - then you have rec2020. Here you will use the ACES transformation in Vegas, and that brings you to 32bit full range - or you use a LUT.
But have fun with your camera, and find out how good it works for you to avoid grading in your grading application!
Thanks guys!
I was using Cine4 in PP3 I think.
Slight correction - I recorded the clips in 10-bit by accident; When I had an A6500 the 4K 25p mode was always 8-bit, so I’ll change to 8-bit in this camera in future (or for now).
Even so, the imagery in the fx30 definitely trumps the A6500 to my eyes.
Thanks once again 😀
it is no issue to shoot in 10bit - especially if you wish a higher quality.
You can use 8bit to cut the footage, or even 32bit video if your machine is strong enough. Without transformation.
And render with 32bit video.
I have an a6600 and am considering the FX30 at some point so good to hear you find it an upgrade visually. For me I'm most interested in the better rolling shutter performance.
I'm happy to use Cine2 in 8-bit for now. Since you have 10-bit I'd use it (though whether 4:2:2 is necessary is a question- if it doesn't hurt editing performance you can use that instead of 4:2:0.)
Hi @RogerS
Apparently the A6500 and the FX30 have a different “colour science) to each other, while the A6600 may have the same science as the FX30.
I upgraded from (one of) the A6500s (I have 2 of them lol!! 😂) because it came out in 2017 I believe. I’ve still got the other one for a B-cam or as for b-roll etc while the FX is my main cam if that makes sense.
Apart from the more video-focused features on the FX, I’m not sure about the colour quality on the A6600. You may consider checking reviews from others as well before pulling the trigger. Good luck! 😀
Well, I actually owned both the a6500 and a6600 and created custom color corrections to match them. They're actually quite close to each other, I'm just picky.
FX30 is a different generation entirely so some color profiles like Cine look quite different to the a6600.
However, most use Slog 3 with the FX30. I did a test shoot with it and applied the Slog 3 Leeming LUT and thought it looked great. https://www.leeminglutpro.com/
If I get the FX30 I'd shoot Slog 3 the a6600 with Cine 2 and then use Leeming LUT to match them both. My main concern is switching to a 32-bit workflow in VEGAS as the performance seems to be changing a lot with each update. The media needs to be editable : )
If you are happy with the color science of the actual Sony camcorders - like the FX3, FX30 or even larger cthameras - then stay with it. They are rec709 profiles, so the advantage is that they can be cut and can be edited in a fast way. But then I would stick to 8bit, and try to get the color correction and (even more important) exposure right during shooting.
Share the link reference of Picture Profiles settings in Sony FX30 camera:
https://helpguide.sony.net/ilc/2220/v1/en/contents/TP1000876510.html
Cheers @Wolfgang S.
I had the A6500 for awhile but only used it for certain gigs like corporate video (interviews) etc.
Most of my other shoots (concerts, weddings etc - full event videos) I tend to use camcorders such as the AX700 to film on because of the overheating issues on mirrorless cameras.
The FX30 caught my eye because it had a fan on it and I wanted something in which the quality matches a mirrorless camera but has the stability of a camcorder when recording very long takes 😀
Most delivery, and the most compatible, is still 8 bit 420 REC 709. Nothing wrong with shooting higher bits if you may want to do something with it later.