colour

Discovery: 4K 8bit 4:2:0 on the Panasonic GH4 converts to 1080p 10bit 4:4:4

by

Pros are wondering what the benefit of 4K is to them in terms of overall image quality, when mastered and delivered for 2K / 1080p. A lot of work is still shot in 1080p and cameras like the Canon C300 are the workhorses of the moment.

In the case of the GH4 it may appear from the specs that it’s just an 8bit 4:2:0 camera internally.

Actually the theory is 8bit 4:2:0 4K material from this camera can be taken through a workflow in post that converts it to 10bit 4:4:4 1080p – with all the smoother tonality, better colour and workflow advantages that format brings. This is a big leap for 1080p based on the much more expensive C300 which only does 8bit 4:2:2.

I asked Go Pro’s David Newman (Sr. Dir. Software – follow on Twitter) whether this theory was correct…

Read moreDiscovery: 4K 8bit 4:2:0 on the Panasonic GH4 converts to 1080p 10bit 4:4:4

NEX 5N ‘easter egg’ found to increase video quality

by

[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/28596419[/vimeo]

Occasionally you stumble on something completely unexpected.

It’s great when this happens. The 5Ds and 7Ds, workhorses of the DSLR world, have nothing more to give; the lure and mystique of those early days in 2009 have all but vanished. The Sony NEX 5N however is different. A tempting new mistress who has yet to remove her makeup and demand you clean crusty left-over fries from the oven. I’ve only had the camera a few days I am still discovering new things about operating it and optimising the image. Usually the obvious stuff hits you first and then the smaller incidental bits. Well, I thought I’d try out the Sunset picture profile and I’m glad I did.

Read moreNEX 5N ‘easter egg’ found to increase video quality