We've been hearing rumors that Canon will be releasing a firmware update for the Canon 5D Mark IV that will make it possible to capture in C-Log, Canon's own log file format, and that they will be making it available during NAB in Las Vegas next month. Whether the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II will get the same update is still unclear, but reliable sources have made it known that the 5D Mark IV is definitely getting updated.
What is Log?
Capturing in Log isn’t the same as capturing in raw. It’s a special way of capturing that maximizes the tonal range of a sensor by spreading the corresponding input/output luminosity function across a greater range, resulting in a low-contrast initial image, but allowing for more tonal range to be captured. Therefore, it might look flat and desaturated during capture, but it gives much more dynamic range and room for post-production and the use of LUTs (Look Up Tables) than a regular compressed video file would offer.
This will be a great added feature for the photographers who already updated to the Canon's latest full-frame camera and will most certainly convert the photographers who were looking around for extra video capability. Canon Rumors is reporting that the upgrade may require sending your camera back to Canon, however. We'll know more soon.
If you want to find out more about the differences between raw, log, and compressed video files, you can go to the AbelCine blog to find out more. And if you have made up your mind about getting your hands on the 5D Mark IV, follow this link.
[via Canon Rumors]
Day made! Can't wait to test that out!
"...It's a video file that shows video on a monitor and screen..." - What?
Hi Mike, when using c-log, the video will display, when shooting in RAW, the file will need processing, it's not a video file. You can read more about it here: http://blog.abelcine.com/2012/05/17/raw-log-and-uncompressed-explained/
The title implies this is confirmed by Canon, yet the first line is "We've been hearing rumors".
Seems that it's all but confirmed according to CanonRumors: http://www.canonrumors.com/c-log-coming-to-eos-5d-mark-iv-confirmed-cr3/
"Capturing in Log isn’t the same as capturing in raw. It’s a special way of capturing that maximizes the tonal range of a sensor by spreading the corresponding input/output luminosity function across a greater range, resulting in a low-contrast initial image, but allowing for more tonal range to be captured."
I'm not a video person but it sounds like log is raw for video.
Edit: Ok, I read the link provided by Wouter. That usage of raw is problematic since what we know as raw for still images is not simply data, but what we can see in a raw editing app such as Lightroom. So basically log is the raw version of still images. The word raw is being used differently for motion and for still photography. No wonder video can be so confusing.
Edit: And please photographers resist using video terms for still photography, such as color grading.
Some professional video cameras can actually record video in raw formats such as RED and Arri Alexa cameras (and many others), which is much the same as taking raw stills, so to compare log to raw can lead to some confusion as they are still different in video.
Just to explain why the article says they are not the same :).
From the link I read log is the equivalent to raw in photography. The raw example I saw in the link regarding videography is simply the light capture information before you can see an image. The same information with photography we never see. If such video cameras you speak of can show that gibberish information, for what purpose is it used for in videography?
I've been using the IV in 4k for a while now and utilizing the EOSHD C-Log setting... there is a ton of room to play. If I need to get something turned around quickly, the "Standard" picture mode is actually quite good, but man I love that C-Log imitation. So much hate for this camera but I love it, using it damn near everyday and it's great. Maybe not C series great lol. Can't wait for this update.
**** Good news!: EOS 1DX Mark II will now get the same C-Log update option too! Thank you Canon ****