Canon Introduces C-Log in 5DMark IV camera
Canon has for the first time introduced Clog in a DSLR camera other than the 1DC which was branded as a cinema camera. This will be a paid update. People have to take their 5D Mark IV camera to the Canon service centre to get the update done at a cost of $99 US dollars. India pricing is expected to be similar. This would be available in June 2017.
Canon CLog Chart
This is a video specific update. The Canon Log helps in recording the video files with lower contrast and sharpness and a wide dynamic range. According to Canon the dynamic range in the C-Log increases upto 800% or 12 stops (at ISO 400 or higher).
This helps preserve more details in highlights as well as shadows and provides a higher flexibility in post-processing. So one can easily match a particular look during post-processing if shot in C-log. Canon is also providing a View Assist setting which will show in the monitor how the graded image will look. This will not change in any way the captured image, either directly to the cards or when recorded externally to a recorder. I use this all the time shooting with my C300. So it would be a big help for people shooting with 5D Mark IV camera.
Look Up Table
The Canon Log feature includes two Look Up Tables (LUTs) that correct the recorded image’s gamma and color space when viewed on an external monitor. With Canon Log 10 to Wide DR LUT, the video file is converted to Wide Dynamic Range gamma, with well-preserved highlights and shadow detail. With Canon Log 10 to ITU-R BT.709 LUT, the file is converted to ITU-R BT.709, providing conventional camcorder specs for viewing in a color space consistent with an HDTV.
Spec Comparison of Clog on and off
| CANON LOG | ON | OFF |
| AF | Dual Pixel CMOS AF | Dual Pixel CMOS AF |
| AE | Manual exposure only | (1) Scene Intelligent Auto (2) Program AE (shiftable) (3) Shutter-priority AE (Safety shift possible) (4) Aperture-priority AE (Safety shift possible) (5) Manual exposure (6) Bulb (7) Custom shooting mode C1, C2, C3 |
| High Frame Rate Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 4K Frame Extraction | Yes (In the camera)* | Yes (In the camera) |
| HDMI Output | FHD, HD | FHD, HD |
| Picture Style / Auto Lighting Optimizer / Highlight Tone Priority / HDR Movie / Time-lapse Movie | No | Yes |
| Registering Custom Shooting Modes | Yes | Yes |
* The color space of the capture image is only ITU-R BT.601.
A word of Caution from Canon:
“When Canon Log is set, horizontal noise stripes may appear in movies depending on subject or shooting conditions. It is recommended to shoot a few test movies and check before the actual shooting. Note that noise may become more noticeable especially when you apply strong contrast during color grading of the shot movie.
Horizontal noise stripes tend to appear when the subject is dark and flat or [Peripheral illum.] is set to [Enable]. This noise may also appear when ISO speed is relatively low, such as at ISO 400.
When the noise is noticeable, it is recommended to set [Peripheral illum.] to [Disable], shoot in brighter exposure, and perform brightness adjustment during color grading. Also, noise may be decreased when you shoot at ISO speed lower than ISO 400 (even though the dynamic range will be narrowed).”
With Canon Log it would be easier to match the 5D Mark IV camera with existing Canon cinema cameras. Sony had been providing Slog in its mirrorless cameras for free of cost. Panasonic has been including its version of Log as a paid update to its GH4 and GH5 cameras. So Canon’s move to include C-Log is keeping with the industry trends. However, it is surprising that Canon has till now not announced introducing Clog in its top of the line DSLR ie in 1DX Mark II camera. Introducing Clog in 5D Mark IV and not in the 1DXII is a big let down for the people who had paid premium for the top end 1DXII. We hope that Canon listens to its loyal users and introduce Clog in the 1DXII camera as well.
Sabyasachi is available for Hire as a DP for shoots any where in India.
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