Reddit
reddit.com › r/cinematography › what are s-log, c-log, etc?
r/cinematography on Reddit: What are S-log, C-log, etc?
October 16, 2013 -
Probably an amateur question, but reading American Cinematographer, I occasionally come across mention of "gamma function," S-log, C-log, and other logs. I was wondering what exactly these are, and what purpose they serve and so on? Thanks!
Top answer 1 of 3
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S-log is referring to an uncorrected sensor output that is flat and low in contrast. This image is taken into a color corrector where the colorist has more control over what colors he chooses to accentuate and the detail in the blacks and highlights is preserved. On most video cameras a Gamma Curve called REC709 is applied which brings the image levels close to what we see with our eyes, this is great for the average user, but for those who want more control, it is better to bypass the default in camera processing. C-log just refers to Canon's "log" shooting mode.
2 of 3
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Log is a format that compresses data very efficiently into the storage available. Every stop of dynamic range gets the same perceptual storage space, as opposed to linear gamma which is how the sensor sees the world and is very inefficient. (Someone here linked to my article that explains why.) The reason log looks flat is because you're often cramming 10-14 stops into the Rec 709 HD spec, which was only meant for about six stops initially. That means every two stops is crammed into a space meant for one, which lowers contrast considerably. Log refers to a logarithmically-encoded gamma curve. Gamma controls contrast and is separate from color space, which is something completely different although most log curves are meant to work within a specific color space (such as Sony's S-Log2 and S-Gamut). Log is not meant to be viewed directly: it is a storage medium only. You need to apply a LUT or some sort of gamma correction so that it looks proper on a Rec 709 display. (Rec 709 is the standard for HD broadcast that enables an image shot on a Rec 709-complaint camera to look normal on a monitor.) Viewing it directly results in a flat, colorless image. Log is NOT uncorrected sensor output. You'll never actually see that. Even viewing "raw" in cameras like REDs isn't raw, because raw is just Bayer pattern information that isn't viewable at all by humans on any device without some kind of processing. (If a camera manufacturer says they are showing you "raw" they are not being entirely truthful. They are showing you some representation of raw that has been processed to be viewable on a Rec 709 display but you are not seeing true raw.) Log is a way of processing raw data in such a way that the same information can be encoded in fewer bits. The rule of thumb I've heard is that you can capture the dynamic range of 12-bit raw in 10-bit log. Log is definitely not a replacement for raw as there are things you can do with raw that you can't do with log, such as go back to the same footage years later with a different deBayering algorithm and pull even more information out of it. It's the next best thing, though, and most TV series shoot log because it's a very efficient way to capture a lot of information for grading. (Features tend to capture raw more often than log.) Every manufacturer has their own flavor of log that works slightly differently. In particular, they each put middle gray and 100% white at different points on the gamma curve. It's important to know this as it helps with determining exposure and judging how much dynamic range you are getting above middle gray. Edit: wrote raw instead of log in last paragraph. Ooops.
Canon Community
community.usa.canon.com › t5 › EOS-DSLR-Mirrorless-Cameras › EOS-R-Why-use-C-Log3 › td-p › 474476
EOS R: Why use C Log3? - Canon Community
December 15, 2024 - This is my understanding of log. Shooting in CLOG maximizes the DR a camera's sensor is capable of capturing. Once the video is color graded you have the greatest rendering and control of tonal variance and detail in contrast and shadows.
Videos
11:32
Mastering C-LOG 3: The Ultimate Guide to Cinematic Exposure - YouTube
Unleashing the Power of C-Log 2 on the Canon R5 Mark II
Canon C-LOG Vs C-LOG3 Comparison | What’s The Difference? - YouTube
25:57
Canon C-Log vs C-Log 3 | Which One Should You Use? - YouTube
02:19
How to Shoot in Canon Log (C-LOG) - YouTube
What is the difference between Canon Log, Canon Log 2 and Canon Log 3?
The original Canon Log delivers a dynamic range of approximately 12 stops, Canon Log 2 up to 16 stops, and Canon Log 3 up to 14 stops. Canon Log 2 retains more detail in darker areas than Canon Log 3 but also features an elevated noise floor. Canon Log 3 is easier to grade thanks to producing a cleaner image and retains the same amount of highlight information as Canon Log 2.
canon-europe.com
canon-europe.com › professional photography & video › stories
Enhance your filmmaking with Canon Log - Canon Europe
What is Canon Log used for?
Canon Log is used to capture video footage that has a wider dynamic range and exposure latitude than standard video. The Canon Log tone curve is applied at the point of capture to retain more details in the highlights and shadows compared to standard video.
canon-europe.com
canon-europe.com › professional photography & video › stories
Enhance your filmmaking with Canon Log - Canon Europe
Which Canon Log is best for low light?
Canon Log 2 is the ideal choice for when maximum detail is required, particularly in low-light scenes to extract shadow information. However, it will also cause elevated noise in those darker regions of the image and therefore require more time in post-production.
canon-europe.com
canon-europe.com › professional photography & video › stories
Enhance your filmmaking with Canon Log - Canon Europe
Digital Photography Review
dpreview.com › articles › if you shoot log on the canon eos r5, you should shoot c-log3. here's why.
If you shoot Log on the Canon EOS R5, you should shoot C-Log3. Here's why.: DPReview | Photography News, Gear Reviews & Community
April 7, 2021 - As such, the C-Log3 curve seems a pretty good match for the camera, and it's unlikely that Canon will add the even wider DR C-Log2 profile. Canon Log 3 offers a little more dynamic range than Canon Log, but it's also less prone to clogged-up ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/canon › c-log 3 vs c-log 2
r/canon on Reddit: C-log 3 vs C-log 2
February 4, 2023 -
Hi I’m new to the whole high end camera thing. When I first got into shooting videos all the YouTubers were talking about C-log 3 when reviewing canon cameras. I recently for the first time heard about C-log 2. Is the difference that noticeable? What would be the differences?
Top answer 1 of 3
9
According to Canon, C-Log 2 gives more dynamic range in shadows, but is slightly noisier as a result. C-Log 3 preserves less shadow detail but has a cleaner noise floor, meaning it's less likely noise reduction is needed in post. The reality is very few Canon cameras carry C-Log 2, and C-Log 3 in theory provides more than enough dynamic range for most canon camera's, apart from those with dual gain output (C70). That being said, C-Log 2 does preserve more information in the shadows, and does permit better shadow recovery!
2 of 3
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R cameras only have Clog3 or Clog1. Dynamic range goes; Clog1 lowest, Clog 3, Clog2 highest. The r5 does not max out the dynamic range of Clog3. I assume it is similar story for the rest of the R line. So Clog2 would have only negative impact if it was used. R5 is not a great sensor, 10.3 clean stops with 8k raw in the R5. 11.9 in H2s. 12.3 in C70 Even beat by the tiny sensor in the GH6 at 11 https://www.cined.com/canon-eos-r5-lab-test-to-film-in-raw-or-not/ https://www.cined.com/fujifilm-x-h2s-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-exposure-latitude/ https://www.cined.com/canon-eos-c70-lab-test-with-the-raw-update-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-latitude/ https://www.cined.com/panasonic-lumix-gh6-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-latitude/
Canon Europe
canon-europe.com › professional photography & video › stories
Enhance your filmmaking with Canon Log - Canon Europe
While all of Canon's Cinema EOS ... retain detail in both the darkest and brightest parts of your footage, Canon Log is capable of far more than this....
Canon Asia
snapshot.canon-asia.com › article › eng › videography-faq-what-is-canon-log
Videography FAQ: What is Canon Log? - SNAPSHOT
September 15, 2023 - It is known as "log" as it encodes along a logarithmic scale instead of a linear one. The resulting footage contains more information on tone variations that are visible to us, which is also why they appear to have less contrast straight out ...
Fstoppers
fstoppers.com › video-editing › explaining-most-things-about-canon-log-c-log-get-started-filmmaking-684752
Explaining Most of the Things About Canon Log (C-Log) to Get You Started in Filmmaking | Fstoppers
November 23, 2024 - Having the ability to film in C-Log on this camera is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you get the benefit of filming in a log profile, which offers a more dynamic range by using a flatter gamma curve.
Sink or Surface
sinkorsurface.com › canon-log
Canon Log — Sink or Surface
RIGHT: CLOG GRADED · When shooting Canon Log for the first time you cant help but notice how flat and “grey” the image looks. While shooting and looking at the back of the camera it took some adjusting not previewing the same crunchy contrast and even skin tones that I am so used to with the Canon cameras. A way around this is ...
EOSHD
eoshd.com › news › eoshd-c-log-and-film-simulation-picture-profiles-for-canon
EOSHD C-LOG and Film Simulation Picture Profiles for Canon - EOSHD.com - Filmmaking Gear and Camera Reviews
May 6, 2024 - C-LOG (Custom LOG) greatly extends dynamic range in the shadows to match that of Canon LOG as closely as possible. This means you can expose for the highlights and maximise the dynamic range of your videos.
Rodrigo Polo
rodrigopolo.com › 2020 › 09 › 29 › canon-log-the-right-way
Canon Log the right way - Rodrigo Polo
December 24, 2025 - That Canon and Atomos produce more complete documentation and that all brands start using and promotion more standard terms, like calling “Canon Log” rightly “Canon Log 1”, and identifying it as a gamma, choosing the same name for the range, not “legal/limited/video” range, I hope this happens, but in the mean time, let the best youtubers explain things the way it is, I cannot recommend more the following channels and vídeos: Rafael Ludwig with his videos Exposing for C-Log with the EOS R, color correction with Premiere, FCPX and Resolve. Sidney Baker-Green with his video How To Grade & Expose EOS R Clog, one of the best videos I have seen on this topic.
Wondershare
repairit.wondershare.com › camera-error-solution › canon-log.html
Canon Log: What It Is, Variants, Free Download, and More
C-Log 3 is a more user-friendly variant of C-Log 2. It's designed to provide a good balance between easier color grading and dynamic range. CLog 3 is used in Canon's newer cinema cameras like the EOS C500 Mark II and EOS C300 Mark II.
Canon Community
community.usa.canon.com › t5 › EOS-DSLR-Mirrorless-Cameras › EOS-R5-choice-of-shooting-in-CLog-or-in-a-normal-picture-style › td-p › 521329
EOS R5 choice of shooting in CLog or in a normal picture style under indoor or nighttime conditions
January 4, 2025 - C-LOG has greater dynamic range and that means you will possibly see more noise in the darker shadows that it can capture. Using a Picture Style has less dynamic range and this means that often the shadows a simply black rather than show the noise. So this means that the question is more, do ...
Canon
support.usa.canon.com › kb › s › article › ART170262
Understanding the EOS C300's Canon Log Gamma
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
C-Log 3 on Canon: What It Is, How to Use It, and Why It Matters - YouTube
Unlock the full cinematic potential of your Canon camera with this in-depth guide to C-Log 3! This video will show you how to get the most out of Canon Log 3...
Published April 15, 2025
ShareGrid
sharegrid.com › articles › comparing-c-log-profiles-on-the-c300-mark-ii
Comparing C Log Profiles on the C300 Mark II
December 18, 2017 - The C300 Mark II, the C700, and the C200 all record at much higher bit rates than the C100, 5D MKIV, or C300, and thus can be pushed around a lot more in post-production. C Log 2 takes all of this new-found potential and hands it straight to the end user. Canon has created a very hands-off profile that is super flat and gives the colorist or editor a huge amount of post-production flexibility.
Hingsberg
hingsberg.com › 2013 › 01 › canon-c-log-exposed-literally
Canon C-LOG exposed, literally
Whether it’s S-LOG, C-LOG, LOG-C or any other flavour of the LOG gamma curve they all have one common goal and that is to preserve as much data information over the entire dynamic range of the camera sensor as possible. Shooting linear gamma (as RED does) or LOG gamma (as does ARRI, Sony F3 and Canon C100/300/500) are at quite opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of what is happening to the spread of data information used to represent the signal and to some degree the “lattitude” that can be gained depending on how you decide to expose either format.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/canon › what are some of the pros and cons of using clog2 over clog3? just the dynamic range?
r/canon on Reddit: What are some of the pros and Cons of using Clog2 over clog3? Just the dynamic range?
February 3, 2025 - You shouldn't see that much noise at 800 ISO from my experience. Are you pulling up shadows? ... Sorry, just normal clog, not 2. Im bringing down shadows not crushing. Can I pm you a pic? ... Sure, you can PM me. Why Clog though? I'd shoot clog3 on the r5 typically. ... Yeah, it's just that. If you're one of the weirdos that don't like using Color Space Transform or LUTs to convert to Rec709, it takes more work to grade Clog2. Most Canon cameras don't have Clog2 anyway, Clog3 is good enough for just about anything except high end work.
Digital Photography Review
dpreview.com › forums › camera companies › canon talk › canon eos r talk
Difference between picture styles and c-log? | DPReview Forums
January 8, 2022 - clog uses 10bit 4:2:2 with higher bitrate and wider gamut. the gamma curve from clog or clog3 is going to be better than w/e flat picture style you use. also canon supplies luts specifically designed to convert the footage to w/e format you need. Click to expand...
Pozo Production
pozoproduction.com › blog › demystifying-canon-log-3-capture-stunning-footage-with-your-canon-camera
Demystifying Canon Log 3: Capture Stunning Footage with Your Canon Camera — Pozo Production
December 15, 2025 - C-Log 3 is a powerful log gamma curve, which allows it to capture incredible dynamic range and cinematic quality video. But conquering its intricacies can feel daunting. So I decided to create this guide to help you capture the best possible C-Log 3 footage you can. This are just my tricks, and woul
Fstoppers
fstoppers.com › education › how-grade-canon-c-log-video-footage-549050
How to Grade Canon C-Log Video Footage | Fstoppers
February 9, 2021 - Coming to you from Bryan Redding of the Deaf Director, this fantastic video tutorial will show you how to grade Canon Log footage. Log is so named because it refers to a logarithmic function, which in turn refers to the tonal response curve of the mode, which allows for much more dynamic range to be captured — up to 800% more in Canon's case, allowing for a ton more detail to be captured in both the highlights and the shadows.