Panasonic Releases Free and Awesome VariCam & EVA1 3D LUT Library : A gem for Filmmakers

There’s nothing like a good 3D LUT! The VariCam FREE LUT Library includes 35 3D LUTs, providing options using both conversion LUTs as well as artistic look LUTs, to the V-Log/V-Gamut format of the VariCam and the EVA1 cinema cameras.

What the LUT…?

LUT (Look Up Table) is an essential tool in the filmmaking process, especially when you shoot Log (logarithmic curve) in order to preserve the dynamic range which is one of the main advantages of cinema cameras. Those Log-recorded images are used to provide the greatest possible flexibility for later color correction, yet they are not intended to be viewed directly because those images are flat-looking, desaturated, and faded.

Every camera manufacture has its own Log curve. In the case of the Panasonic cinema cameras, the Log formats are V-Log and V-Gamut. When acquiring in native V-Log/V-Gamut, the VariCam lineup of cinema cameras captures imagery with more than 14 stops of Dynamic Range and a very wide color spectrum, but again, you can’t use it as your final image, which means you will need to transform it to something more viewable.

Conversion LUT vs Artistic LUT

A Conversion LUT translates the flat V-Log material to a more restricted, yet contrasty, dynamic range, and shifts the color space to match the monitor, bringing both parameters to a technical standard for viewing such as Rec. 709. These conversion LUTs provide a neutral matching of the signal to the monitor, so they can be considered technical LUTs.

Artistic LUTs create stylistic visuals like soft blue dusk, golden magic hour, or harsh desert sun by combining the technical conversion with creative changes to gamma, contrast, saturation, and other aspects, as you can see in the examples below.

Take a look at the amazing LUTs library gallery which consists of screenshots taken from the Panasonic website. Click on the image to explore bigger sizes and details. 

Also, you might be checking out the video below: 

Loading and Using LUT

3D LUTs can be loaded into VariCam cinema cameras. Note that the VariCam can records RAW images without grading but can apply a LUT to the monitor and viewfinder outputs. Using a LUT with a monitor or viewfinder can contribute in lighting and exposing processes, and a proxy with a LUT applied is helpful for editing. LUTs can also be loaded into third-party LUT boxes for converting Log images on set during production.

You can download the desired LUTs from this link.: The options: VLT for loading into VariCam cameras, E-E.CUBE for post color grading and E-L.CUBE for monitoring “LUT box” devices

Final thoughts

To sum it up, LUTs are essential tool for filmmakers, directors, cinematographers and colorists. They allow to break the flat looking image of the RAW/ Log acquisition format to something more viewable. This is most important for cinematographers that use the viewfinder and for the directors that use the displays on set.

Moreover, artistic LUTs are utilized by colorist in the grading process in order to achieve the desired grade for the story.

However, good and high-quality 3D LUTs are hard to find. Filmmakers must do their homework in order to find the most efficient LUTs for their filmmaking process, cameras, acquisition and delivery. I say again, good LUTs are hard to find!

The VariCam 3D LUT Library seems like a gem in terms of LUTs quality. If you are VariCam and EVA1 shooter, you should definitely try those amazing LUTs. 

Did you try those LUTs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!