Nikon Z8 N-raw log video to mp4 log conversation possible?

[pradatta]

Hello friends I shoot in n-log nikon Raw but I want it to convert in n-log mp4 is it possible I don't want to colour grade right now just n-raw to mp4 with log setting for future color grade and size saving for now , if any one can help me in process thank you

 

[Alistair]

Hello friends I shoot in n-log nikon Raw but I want it to convert in n-log mp4 is it possible I don't want to colour grade right now just n-raw to mp4 with log setting for future color grade and size saving for now , if any one can help me in process thank you

I think you would need to use Davinci Resolve Studio. Don't use DVR colour management. Use a colour transform node in the Color tab. Input of Rec 2020 and gamma Nikon Nraw. Output the same. Then in deliver tab use a custom resolution of the Nraw file and H265 MP4. You could also trim unwanted parts of the clip if you want to save further file space.

 

[Nimi]

Hello friends I shoot in n-log nikon Raw but I want it to convert in n-log mp4 is it possible I don't want to colour grade right now just n-raw to mp4 with log setting for future color grade and size saving for now , if any one can help me in process thank you

Any of the NLEs would do that. It's in the Export module. You're not converting, per se, you're saving an MP4 version while maintaining the original file intact. That's the essence of non-linear editors.

But you lose the ability to do much by way of grading. You're basically baking in a desaturated, low contrast look. Think of the MP4 as a display/viewing file.

 

[pradatta]

I think you would need to use Davinci Resolve Studio. Don't use DVR colour management. Use a colour transform node in the Color tab. Input of Rec 2020 and gamma Nikon Nraw. Output the same. Then in deliver tab use a custom resolution of the Nraw file and H265 MP4. You could also trim unwanted parts of the clip if you want to save further file space.

Exactly what I want I will try it thank you so much

 

[MotoPixel]

Exactly what I want I will try it thank you so much

If you're just going to use the file for later viewing, and only edit the original NRaw file, why not use the MP4 that is created alongside the NRaw file? I realize it's only HD resolution, but otherwise it seems to be what you're asking for? As far as I recall, there is no way to turn creation of the MP4 files off when shooting NRaw, since those are used for in-camera viewing.

 

[MartyD]

I would pay attention to what Nimi said, he is the video expert. I don't think it is possible to convert the RAW to MP4 without losing the advantages of Nlog. You will have and MP4 file for viewing but not the color grading characteristics of Nlog.

 

[Nimi]

Here is an analogy. Nlog is a full 12oz cup. Mp4 is a 6oz cup. When you convert the nlog to mp4, you pour the entire contents in the 12oz cup into the 6oz cup. There is no recovery possible of spilled contents.

Log is a genius format. It preserves all the luma but compresses the chroma. It's worthwhile shooting in all situations and learning how to edit it.

If the goal is smaller MP4 files for viewing while maintaining the ability to edit further later, I suggest the following workflow, regardless of camera and editor:

1. Shoot log.
2. Open the log file in your preferred editor, transform to a 709 color space, correct for color balance, exposure, saturation and contrast,
3. Further edit to give it the look and sound you desire with graphics, titles, color grading, sound effects, and music,
4. Export as an MP4 file, which you can easily upload to YouTube or any social media site you use. You can also email it easily via most email programs.
5. Put the original file wherever you archive and don't worry about it.
6. Just remember that if you want to edit the movie further, open the file created by the editor, NOT the mp4 file. You might have to show it where the original file resides.

 

[MotoPixel]

Pradatta,

I tried what Alistair mentioned and it's quite simple to make an MP4 copy of your NRaw original as was suggested...I just did that with a clip in Resolve. As far as I could tell from evaluating the process, the only advantage of doing this as opposed to using the HD resolution MP4 proxy that the camera generates is that if your original clips are in 4K then generating your MP4 Nikon log copies in an NLE (in my case Resolve) is that you can do so in 4K. You don't have that option in-camera. If you're shooting HD, then no advantage.

As Nimi said, and it seems you already understand this, you give up a lot of editing latitude vs working with the Raw originals, but cataloging and viewing, of course they'd be fine. Of course if you like, you can output in Rec.709 and not be looking at a log file on a display that won't correct to the average viewer.

Here is a link to the file I generated...https://vimeo.com/1043968541/0dc3550e70?share=copy

Color page settings used in Resolve...

 

[Alistair]

Pradatta,

I tried what Alistair mentioned and it's quite simple to make an MP4 copy of your NRaw original as was suggested...I just did that with a clip in Resolve. As far as I could tell from evaluating the process, the only advantage of doing this as opposed to using the HD resolution MP4 proxy that the camera generates is that if your original clips are in 4K then generating your MP4 Nikon log copies in an NLE (in my case Resolve) is that you can do so in 4K. You don't have that option in-camera. If you're shooting HD, then no advantage.

As Nimi said, and it seems you already understand this, you give up a lot of editing latitude vs working with the Raw originals, but cataloging and viewing, of course they'd be fine. Of course if you like, you can output in Rec.709 and not be looking at a log file on a display that won't correct to the average viewer.

Here is a link to the file I generated...https://vimeo.com/1043968541/0dc3550e70?share=copy

Color page settings used in Resolve...
View attachment 104663

Spot on. BTW, you do not really need an intermediate timeline colour space, you can just use Rec.2020 with Nikon Nlog gamma. For the benefit of others, Rec2020 and Nlog gamma is the colour space of the Nraw file. These settings ensure that DVR does not apply different colour space and gamma and screw up the Nlog curve which the OP wishes to preserve.

For the wider understanding, the OP is shooting 12 bit Nraw but wants to convert to a smaller file size. 10 bit or 8 bit. He is shooting Nraw with an Nlog curve applied.

In Nlog, regardless of codec, the camera reports ISO 3 stops above what it actually uses, forcing underexposure by 3 stops (e.g. the camera will report ISO 800 but actually uses sensor ISO 100). It then applies a curve to shadows to lift them. see this doc for details of the curve applied In this way the highlights are protected and the curve is such that the scene is rendered with minimal contrast.

When shooting 10 bit or 8 bit, this curve is encoded by the camera into the file. When shooting 12 bit raw, the Nlog curve is simply metadata.

Exporting a 10 bit or 8 bit file in Da Vinci Resolve from an Nraw Nlog file with no colour management and no adjustments applied simply encodes the NLog curve to the exported file and the file exported will to all intents and purposes be the same as the in-camera 8 or 10 bit file. (there are some caveats but not germane for now).

This is my understanding of what the OP was seeking to achieve and the colour settings shown by @MotoPixel will meet that objective.

 

[Alistair]

I will just add that you can also shoot NRaw SDR ISO 100 and then apply N-Log as the initial conversion on Resolve's raw tab. That opens up the ability to use N-Log without the -3EV exposure metering.

For those desiring a deeper dive into NLog (not NRaw), there is no better resource than testcams on YouTube. Especially this one

but also he has a great video explaining dual gain on Nikon and other camera sensors.

 

[pradatta]

Spot on. BTW, you do not really need an intermediate timeline colour space, you can just use Rec.2020 with Nikon Nlog gamma. For the benefit of others, Rec2020 and Nlog gamma is the colour space of the Nraw file. These settings ensure that DVR does not apply different colour space and gamma and screw up the Nlog curve which the OP wishes to preserve.

For the wider understanding, the OP is shooting 12 bit Nraw but wants to convert to a smaller file size. 10 bit or 8 bit. He is shooting Nraw with an Nlog curve applied.

In Nlog, regardless of codec, the camera reports ISO 3 stops above what it actually uses, forcing underexposure by 3 stops (e.g. the camera will report ISO 800 but actually uses sensor ISO 100). It then applies a curve to shadows to lift them. see this doc for details of the curve applied In this way the highlights are protected and the curve is such that the scene is rendered with minimal contrast.

When shooting 10 bit or 8 bit, this curve is encoded by the camera into the file. When shooting 12 bit raw, the Nlog curve is simply metadata.

Exporting a 10 bit or 8 bit file in Da Vinci Resolve from an Nraw Nlog file with no colour management and no adjustments applied simply encodes the NLog curve to the exported file and the file exported will to all intents and purposes be the same as the in-camera 8 or 10 bit file. (there are some caveats but not germane for now).

This is my understanding of what the OP was seeking to achieve and the colour settings shown by @MotoPixel will meet that objective.

Yes you guessed correct all my requirements and if any one wondering why I am not using h265 instead n-raw I do wildlife and a resolution provided in in n-raw is most useful for me which is and not all available in h.265 codec or any other codec but only in n-raw
Thank you everyone for suggestions and helpful, ignore my English I m not good in English thank you