ProRes RAW over HDMI is lastly right here. Nikon Z6 and Z7 homeowners have been ready for this for a very long time.
We bought a chance to have a take a look at drive of the Nikon Z6 recording ProRes RAW over HDMI to the Atomos Ninja V. Now, this isn’t a assessment, that is first impressions utilizing a Beta model.
We solely bought to spend about half a day doing a little fast exams. I’ll do a full assessment at a later stage. Above you possibly can see the footage we took. I haven’t performed something to the photographs besides apply the LUT that Atomos advised we use. I didn’t need to fiddle with the colour or photos as a result of I need you to see what you get out of the field.
ProRes RAW was initially introduced simply earlier than NAB 2018, and RAW over HDMI was introduced manner again in January. It has been a protracted wait, to say the least.
My preliminary response to RAW over HDMI was What the? Atomos got here up with a manner of capturing the RAW video output from Nikon’s full-frame mirrorless cameras and recording that output in ProRes RAW to the Ninja V 4K HDR monitor/recorder.
You possibly can obtain the firmware for the Ninja V right here.
How does this work?
The Nikon Z7 and Z6 cameras can output a stream of RAW information through a 4K HDMI cable to the Ninja V. This information is then repacked into the ProRes RAW format and recorded to a detachable SSD drive within the Ninja V. When capturing is completed, the drive is eliminated and linked to a pc. Footage can then be decoded (debayered) and edited within the highest doable high quality. Utilizing ProRes RAW format retains file sizes manageable, and simple to edit.
Atomos states that, Capturing Apple ProRes RAW video with the Ninja V unlocks full management of the video picture on the highest high quality doable. The utmost dynamic vary, colour accuracy, and element are preserved, whereas on the similar time each side of the video picture will be managed with precision for max creativity. Colours will be simply matched and the additional data means footage will be simply be manipulated in post-production, which is very helpful for grading and VFX photographs.
I’m nonetheless not 100% certain how Atomos is doing this, however it’s technically doable to output RAW over HDMI. Atomos could also be utilizing a closed loop protocol with-in HDMI. What this principally means is that they’re simply taking the pixels and re-arranging them. One factor is bound, that is most likely solely doable as a result of Atomos is using ProRes RAW. ProRes RAW makes it sensible for separate firms to work collectively on RAW as a result of it gives a framework that they will each use with out giving freely their very own processing secret sauce.
Technically you would nonetheless do that with out ProRes RAW however you would need to open up all the processing on each ends to the opposite firm concerned. That is one thing that’s unlikely to occur.
I’d anticipate Atomos knew that this was all doable lengthy earlier than they ever introduced ProRes RAW or the Ninja V. Given the Nikon Z6 and Z7 will likely be able to outputting a RAW sign to the Atomos Ninja V, it’s no actual shock that we noticed Atomos and Panasonic announce that they’re engaged on RAW over HDMI for the S1H.
“We’re very happy with growing new ground-breaking know-how with an organization of the caliber of Panasonic. We’re each extremely dedicated to the democratization of filmmaking for creators, and the power to file ProRes RAW or ProRes RAW HQ from the S1H to a Ninja V 5.9kp30 is a significant leap ahead on this endeavor.”
Jeromy Younger, Atomos Co-founder and CEO.
Why has it taken so lengthy?
I believe the implementation of RAW over HDMI should have been a sophisticated course of. Technically this might have been carried out in a short time, however because it includes Nikon, Atomos, and Apple there have most likely been quite a few hoops that wanted to be jumped by way of.
In saying that, Atomos acknowledged fairly early on that it wouldn’t be out there until in direction of the top of the 12 months.
How do you get ProRes RAW over HDMI for the Z6/Z7?
Sadly, there isn’t a free lunch with ProRes Uncooked and the Nikon Z6 and Z7 collection cameras as Nikon has chosen to go the Panasonic route with a paid improve for ProRes Uncooked out to the Atomos Ninja V recorder.
Nikon launched this assertion in August:
“Scheduled to reach later this 12 months, the output RAW information stream will allow recording in ProRes RAW video format on the Ninja V 4K HDR monitor/recorder made by ATOMOS, Nikon’s collaborator in growing RAW video output know-how. RAW video information present the richest data, identical to nonetheless picture RAW information. By bringing much more flexibility to post-production colour grading, RAW video output help firmly locations the Nikon Z collection as an inexpensive contender for professional-level manufacturing and filmmaking of any scale. This function would require a further inside improve that can have to be carried out at a neighborhood Nikon service middle, which can incur a service cost.“
Nikon USA Press Launch
Ninja V customers can now replace with the free AtomOS 10.2 to allow RAW recording from HDMI. On the similar time, a brand new Nikon service process*, starting at present, installs RAW video output performance to the 2 in style Z collection cameras. This permits Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 cameras to output 12-bit 4K UHD or full-HD RAW through a 4K HDMI 2.0 cable*** to the Atomos Ninja V.
If you would like the RAW output enabled in your Z6/Z7 you need to ship the digital camera in to a service middle to have a further inside improve. The price of the improve ($200 USD) seems to be prefer it’s extra based mostly on labor value than the precise license like Panasonic has performed with the GH cameras. It’s doable Nikon didn’t anticipate the need to be as excessive as the fee so as to add the {hardware} to all of the cameras making it extra financially achievable to have the consumer pay for the improve.
In the present day Atomos mentioned,Prospects who want to have the RAW video output functionality put in on their Nikon Z 6 or Z 7 can convey or ship their digital camera to a Nikon service middle. The Nikon RAW video output functionality improve will incur a payment, however will likely be included freed from cost as a part of Nikon Z 6 filmmakers package and Z 6 important film package bundles. These prospects within the Americas and Europe who’ve already bought a Nikon Z 6 filmmakers package and Z 6 important film package will likely be eligible to have the payment waived (proof of buy required).
The Nikon Z6 value has been diminished various the final 12 months, so whereas individuals are prone to complain in regards to the further value, I believe a number of shooters received’t be too postpone by having to succeed in for his or her wallets.
Together with an upgraded Nikon Z6/Z7 you additionally want an Atomos Ninja V.
After getting these two issues it’s all fairly straight ahead.
Organising & Utilizing ProRes RAW on the Z6 & Atomos Ninja 5
There are a couple of steps you need to do with the intention to file ProRes RAW on the Ninja V from the Nikon Z6/Z7.
Firstly on the Z6, you need to go into the menu underneath HDMI Superior and choose RAW Output after which select to allow the RAW output. Similar to when capturing in N-Log, this disables any inside recording. You additionally must ensure that Exterior Recording Management is turned on.
You then go to RAW Output Mode and right here you choose the decision and body price.
On the Atomos Ninja V you have to go to the Enter settings and choose the Digicam as Nikon, the Gamma as N-Log, and the Gamut as Nikon RAW. You additionally want to enter the Recording Menu and choose ProRes RAW or ProRes RAW HQ as your recording format.
Listed below are the varied body charges and resolutions you possibly can output when RAW is chosen:
- 3840×2160 30p FX
- 3840×2160 25p FX
- 3840×2160 24p FX
- 3840×2160 30p DX
- 3840×2160 25p DX
- 3840×2160 24p DX
- 1920×1080 60p FX
- 1920×1080 50p FX
- 1920×1080 30p FX
- 1920×1080 25p FX
- 1920×1080 24p FX
- 1920×1080 60p DX
- 1920×1080 50p DX
- 1920×1080 30p DX
- 1920×1080 25p DX
- 1920×1080 24p DX
Are there any caveats?
The one caveat (at the very least with the beta model we had been utilizing) was that when you find yourself outputting RAW over HDMI on the Z6 you possibly can’t use the EVF. For some motive it will get disabled.
One other small caveat is that you have to choose within the RAW Output Mode whether or not you need to shoot within the DX or FX format modes. As it’s RAW, you possibly can’t simply have the digital camera set on say UHD 25p RAW FX after which go into the Video Recording Menu and choose DX. If you wish to shoot in UHD 25p in DX then you need to change the RAW output format within the RAW menu . If you wish to shoot in 50 or 60p you possibly can solely accomplish that in HD resolutions in both FX or DX.
What are the most effective practices for capturing RAW from the Z6?
Atomos informed us that it was finest to set the ISO on the Z6 to 100 or 400 to get the cleanest photos. We had been additionally informed to watch on the Ninja V in HLG. A number of this will change with the precise manufacturing launch of the firmware.
How is RAW over HDMI from the Nikon Z6?
I wasn’t fairly certain what to anticipate, however I used to be pleasantly shocked. There may be actually a distinction in picture high quality when outputting RAW over HDMI from the Z6. With none of the baked-in processing and compression occurring in-camera I discovered that the colours and general look of the fabric I used to be capturing had been so much higher than what I used to be used to from the Z6.
What I preferred was the power to shoot at decrease ISO ranges on the digital camera and nonetheless keep excessive dynamic vary. I used to be amazed on the latitude you would get capturing at 100 ISO. With the ability to shoot at decrease ISO ranges when it’s vibrant sufficient to take action on a mirrorless digital camera has the additional advantage that you just don’t want to make use of almost as a lot ND.
Coping with ProRes RAW information
That is fairly straight ahead in FCPX. The very first thing you have to do to utilize the total dynamic vary of the unique video out there within the working colour house is to alter the library color-processing setting to Extensive Gamut HDR. When colour processing is about to Extensive Gamut HDR, the built-in digital camera LUT doesn’t apply tone mapping and preserves the total dynamic vary for colour correction and results.
After getting performed this you possibly can drop your ProRes RAW materials right into a challenge. You then want to enter your Data Tab and right here you possibly can see your ProRes RAW controls.
The Uncooked to Log Conversion setting within the Information inspector applies customized log features created by completely different digital camera distributors so that you could colour appropriate
your ProRes RAW information as log video. As a result of ProRes RAW information include metadata that identifies the digital camera producer, Closing Lower Professional can apply the right log operate (comparable to Canon Log 2, Panasonic V-Log, or Sony S-Log3) throughout import.
You can even manually regulate the RAW to Log Conversion setting within the Normal, Prolonged, or Settings view of the Information inspector.
For this Beta model of RAW, we discovered it was finest to decide on Sony S-Log3/S-Gamut3.Cine for the RAW to Log Conversion. Why? As a result of on the time of testing there wasn’t any Nikon RAW to Log Conversion possibility out there.
We then used an Allister Chapman Allister_V-Look_-2P50 LUT. This appeared to provide good outcomes.
Now, you don’t must do it this manner. There are three main methods to make use of ProRes RAW with Closing Lower Professional in your post-production workflow:
• Utilizing Log Conversion with Constructed-in Digicam LUTs
• Utilizing Log Conversion with Customized LUT Results
• Grading Instantly With out LUTs
In contrast to most conventional RAW workflows, with ProRes RAW there aren’t any settings to alter white steadiness and ISO. If you wish to make adjustments to publicity and colour you possibly can by simply utilizing the in-built colour instruments in FCPX.
Sadly, should you aren’t an FCPX consumer you’re at present getting neglected to dry. ProRes RAW as of at present can solely be edited in a small variety of applications, together with FCPX. Regardless of bulletins that Avid and Adobe Premiere Professional will help ProRes RAW, that hasn’t occurred but.
Adobe and Avid’s announcement that ProRes RAW will likely be supported natively inside Premiere Professional and Media Composer was an enormous step ahead for the mainstream adoption of ProRes RAW as an trade commonplace.
“We’re proud that the ProRes RAW ecosystem Apple and Atomos began 18 months in the past has now advanced into the usual. Adobe, Avid, Closing Lower Professional X, and Edius customers now have the selection to make use of the ProRes RAW to edit on any platform.”
Jeromy Younger Atomos CEO
The ProRes RAW adaptation in Premiere Professional will likely be native, which is completely different from how Blackmagic RAW is at present supported. With Blackmagic RAW Premiere Professional customers want to put in a plug-in.
There may be nonetheless no present indication as to when this will likely be out there in Adobe Premiere Professional or Avid Media Composer.
Do you actually need RAW?
The reply to this can rely upon a person’s necessities. Not everybody must shoot RAW, actually an enormous proportion of working professionals won’t ever get requested to ship in RAW, however for individuals who do, it’s good that it may be performed over HDMI to a full-frame mirrorless digital camera.
If you wish to absolute best picture high quality you will get from the Nikon Z6 then recording ProRes RAW on an Atomos Ninja V is one of the simplest ways to go. You’ll want to clearly keep in mind that RAW doesn’t magically remodel this digital camera into one thing it’s not. For me personally, I desire that I’m now capable of file a 12-bit picture, that’s crucial factor.
The largest caveat, till you possibly can truly edit and take care of ProRes RAW information in most NLE programs, is that there isn’t a level capturing ProRes RAW in case you are handing materials straight off to a consumer who isn’t utilizing FCPX.
In case you are doing your individual initiatives then none of this issues.
RAW will not be some magical unicorn
RAW will not be going to make you a greater shooter. RAW doesn’t line up and compose or gentle a shot. It’s merely an acquisition format, nothing extra.
In the event you suppose you possibly can simply purchase a digital camera and begin capturing RAW and every thing will appear to be a Hollywood movie you’re sadly mistaken.
Preliminary ideas
You must hand it to Nikon, they’re the primary digital camera firm that has made it doable to output RAW over HDMI. With the diminished value of the Z6, you possibly can add an Atomos Ninja V and an SSD and create a reasonably inexpensive digital camera bundle that punches properly above its weight.
The one different full body hybrid mirrorless that may file RAW is the Sigma fp, however that’s CinemaDNG information which can be ginormous.
With a RAW output, the Nikon Z6 has abruptly grow to be much more enticing possibility for these customers who need a high-quality full-frame hybrid mirrorless digital camera.
