Nikon has just dropped an exciting new update that will elevate your video workflow! If you’re shooting with Nikon mirrorless cameras and using N-Log, you’re in for a treat. Nikon has released four types of Creative LUTs (Lookup Tables) and one Technical LUT, created in collaboration with RED Digital Cinema. These LUTs are available free of charge and are designed to give your footage a look comparable to that shot on RED cinema cameras. Whether you’re grading your footage in post-production or want to preview your final look on set, these LUTs have you covered.
Here’s the official press release from Nikon for all the details:
NIKON RELEASES FOUR NEW LUTS FOR N-LOG CREATED WITH RED
MELVILLE, NY (September 12, 2024) – Nikon is pleased to announce the release of four types of Creative LUTs and one type of Technical LUT created with RED, all available free of charge. These LUTs can be utilized when grading video footage recorded in N-Log with Nikon mirrorless cameras* and for confirming a close-to-finished look while shooting on location by installing them on external monitors.
The Creative LUTs have all been created under the close supervision of RED Digital Cinema, Inc., a subsidiary of Nikon that is renowned for excellence in its manufacturing of professional digital cinema cameras. The line-up consists of ACHROMIC, FILM BIAS, FILM BIAS BLEACH BYPASS, and FILM BIAS OFFSET. These LUTs enable users to apply the essence of RED’s color science to Nikon mirrorless camera video workflows, making it possible to achieve a look comparable to video shot on RED cinema cameras when working with N-Log footage.
Creative LUTs:
- ACHROMIC — Low contrast monochrome
- Achromic gives footage a low-contrast monochrome look while still maintaining the detail of the textures. It creates a soft and refined atmosphere and gives a classical feel.
- FILM BIAS — Warm colors and a satisfying level of contrast
- Film Bias produces a film-like warmth and texture onto N-Log footage with balanced colors and a subtle contrast, as well as rendering skin tone very naturally. It can give a sophisticated feel to footage.
- FILM BIAS BLEACH BYPASS — Shallow tones and high contrast
- Film Bias Bleach Bypass, inspired by the bleach bypass film processing technique, has a very specific high-contrast and desaturated look to it. It reproduces footage with a harsh and faded feel.
- FILM BIAS OFFSET — Deeply warm nostalgic colors
- Film Bias Offset offers a film-like warmth and softness by applying a unique combination of color correction and contrast adjustment.
These LUTs are now available to download free of charge and can be found at www.nikonusa.com/redluts.
About Nikon Nikon Inc. is a world leader in digital imaging, precision optics, and technologies for photo and video capture, globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance. Nikon distributes consumer and professional Z Series mirrorless cameras, digital SLR cameras, a vast array of NIKKOR and NIKKOR Z lenses, Speedlights and system accessories, Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras, and Nikon software products. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com.
*Specifications, equipment, and release dates are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. Cameras compatible with N-Log recordings are supported.
My Experience Testing Nikon’s New Creative LUTs
I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work with these Creative LUTs over the past two weeks, and I’ve put them to the test in various shooting environments. In my YouTube video, I dive deep into each LUT, breaking down how I used them and sharing tips on integrating them into your workflow—whether for monitoring or post-production.
Here’s a quick rundown of the LUTs I cover in the video:
- ACHROMIC LUT – This low-contrast black-and-white LUT is subtle but maintains the texture of your footage, offering a sophisticated and classical look that’s perfect for adding a timeless vibe.
- FILM BIAS LUT – Film Bias is the foundational LUT, adding a warm, film-like tone to your footage. It’s all about subtle warmth and smooth skin tone rendering, making it ideal for polished, professional-looking results.
- FILM BIAS BLEACH BYPASS – Inspired by the bleach bypass technique in film processing, this LUT gives a high-contrast, desaturated look. It’s perfect for those grungy, noir-style projects, bringing an edgy and dramatic feel to your footage.
- FILM BIAS OFFSET – My personal favorite! Film Bias Offset builds on the warmth of Film Bias but adds deeper contrast in both luminance and color, giving your footage that iconic separation and “pop” that RED’s color science is known for. It’s fantastic for achieving high production quality with rich, dynamic visuals.
Installing and Working with the LUTs
To use these LUTs, you can download them directly from the Nikon website here. Once downloaded, you’ll need to install them into your LUT folder, which varies depending on the software you’re using:
- For DaVinci Resolve, drag and drop the LUT files into your LUT folder, which you can find by going to Preferences > Color Management > Open LUT Folder.
- For Adobe Premiere Pro, you can apply LUTs directly in the Lumetri Color panel by selecting the LUT under the Creative or Basic Correction tabs.
- Final Cut Pro users can add LUTs by using the Custom LUT effect, which can be found in the effects browser under Color.
Once installed, you’ll be able to apply these LUTs during editing or when previewing footage on external monitors.
How to Use the LUTs
In the video, I also discuss how you can use these LUTs as both monitoring and finishing tools. If you’re using them as monitoring LUTs, particularly with an external monitor like the Atomos Ninja V, you’ll want to be careful with your HDMI settings. From my experience, setting your HDMI output to “limited” is key to avoiding blown-out highlights and crushed blacks, giving you the proper representation of the LUT.
When using the LUTs for post-production, I recommend working in DaVinci Resolve. I walk through two methods:
- Non-Color-Managed Timeline:
- In this setup, I demonstrate how to use the DaVinci Wide Gamut with simple CST (Color Space Transform) nodes to ensure your LUT is receiving the right input for Rec. 709 output. This method allows for great control in adjusting your image before applying the final LUT.
- Color-Managed Workflow:
- In this color-managed approach, I show how DaVinci Resolve’s wide gamut and HDR processing mode can streamline your workflow, automatically transforming your Nikon Log footage for Rec. 709 output while giving you unified control over your color adjustments. This method is ideal for those looking to maintain a consistent and balanced look throughout the project.
Both workflows offer flexibility depending on how deeply you want to manage your color grading. I also offer some tips for dragging the LUT directly onto your timeline for those of you who are new to DaVinci Resolve and just want a quick, simple solution.
Feedback and Improvements
While Nikon’s Creative LUTs are fantastic, I share a few areas where I think they could improve, especially in run-and-gun shooting situations. For example, I think a firmware update that eliminates the 4-5 second blackout when recording would make a huge difference for event shooters, such as wedding videographers who can’t afford to miss a moment. Additionally, it would be awesome if Nikon allowed users to upload custom LUTs directly to the camera to replace the current View Assist feature, which I find less reliable for exposure accuracy.
Final Thoughts:
Nikon’s collaboration with RED has produced LUTs that bring the best of RED’s color science to Nikon’s mirrorless cameras. If you’re a Nikon shooter looking to elevate your video work, these Creative LUTs are a game-changer. They’re free, easy to use, and can be installed on external monitors for on-set previews or used in post-production for final grading.
I break down how to use these LUTs in DaVinci Resolve and offer tips for integrating them into your video workflow. You can watch the full tutorial on my YouTube channel.
Let me know what you think of the LUTs in the comments, and don’t forget to hit that subscribe button to stay up to date with more reviews, tutorials, and insights into all things Nikon and beyond. Keep climbing, stay inspired, and as always, stay fabulous.
