There are a number of slow motion sequences in my script for Man-child (only 8 days left... !), which makes a RED appropriate. Otherwise I would probably try to shoot it on a Sony F3 with the S-Log firmware (if the campaign is successful, that is... ). All the footage I've seen to date shot in S-Log has been beautiful, with very film-like highlight renditions and gorgeous colors. A common misperception with S-Log is that you need an uncompressed recorder to take advantage of it. Not true! DP Timur Civan recently ran some tests with a Ki Pro Mini:

These compositions are boring, very boring, but they are carefully chosen to reflect situations I've run in to the last few years, on various shots that have always bothered me and made me wish I had the "Infinite Dynamic Range" as MacGregor so eloquently put it. Well, for the most part, we have that now, at an indie price point. Yes, the Alexa is better.... by about a stop. (when you hit the 13.5+ zone 1 stop actually becomes a lot) but at 1/3 the price, this is terrifying performance... The thing when shooting sLog thats tricky; it goes against every instinct you have as a DP. You have to under expose, so far down that you think "Theres NOTHING THERE!!!!! WHAT THE #$%^ AM I DOOING!?!?!?!?" but use your exposure tools, use your false color, use your wave form. Skin tones stay at 35IRE, High lights on skin @ 40-45 IRE. Dont worry, its ALLLLL there....

Click on the video title and look in the right-hand sidebar if you want to download the .mov at Vimeo. Timur put the camera in a number of difficult situations and I think the resulting footage takes to "pushing" amazingly well. There's a lot of leeway for grading in post.

Also, I found another F3 S-Log clip as I was watching this lovely video profile by Ed David of a tailor down the street from me here in Brooklyn. Even just a simple rooftop test looks great:

Then again, I like flat, naturalistic images. Still, I have to profess my love for the appearance of Sony F3 S-Log footage. It's basically an entirely different camera with the paid firmware upgrade. What about you guys, anyone else like the aesthetic a lot? Heck, I may still shoot Man-child on the F3 -- if I get to shoot it at all... your help is really needed!

Hit the link below for uncompressed TIFFs and more info on Timur's testing.

Link: T.STOPS: Sony F3 - sLog Testing

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