There are plenty of LUTs out there that aim at giving your films a distinct, beautiful look, but if you're looking for some that accurately emulate the look of 35mm film, you will definitely want to check out Koji Color's brand new suite.
Led by film color timer Dale Grahn (Saving Private Ryan, Gladiator), Koji Color's goal was to produce highly accurate 35mm film emulation for digital filmmakers. Koji isn't necessarily meant to be a finished grade for your footage, but a starting point that allows you to adjust the look (quickly) as you wish. Here's a bit of backstory from KC's website:
Seeing that film as a medium was facing possible extinction, the Koji team began in 2011 to attempt the accurate preservation of film color. Working with experts around the world and the top film labs in Hollywood, the team was able to preserve six 35mm print stocks, sometimes rescuing film cans from stock rooms at the last possible moment. These recovered film stocks were painstakingly preserved digitally, and are now available for use by digital filmmakers.
Koji includes 6 different film stocks and works with most major NLEs and post programs. It supports footage shot on DSLRs as well larger cameras, like the Alexa, Canon C-series, and more. But, before we get into the technical aspects, take a look at a piece made by filmmaker Paul Schefz using Koji.
Here are a few stills:
You can also try out Koji on your own still images using their web app.
Technical Specifications
- Works with: Davinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, After Effects, and Autodesk Smoke
- Supports footage shot on DSLR camera formats
- Supports log footage, including REDlogFilm, Arri Log C, BMDFilm, BMDFilmV2, Canon C-Log, and Sony SLog3
- Koji Log takes care of Rec.709 conversion for you -- no need to convert from log to Rec.709 (unless you want to)
Koji Packages/Pricing
- Koji DSLR: Brings beautiful, highly accurate film color to footage shot on DSLRs. Works with a wide variety of camera formats including Canon DSLRs, Panasonic DSLRs, and Blackmagic cameras (video mode). ($199)
- Koji Log: Fast, powerful film color for log footage. Designed to work natively with REDlogFilm, Arri Log C, BMDFilm, BMDFilmV2, Canon C-Log, and Sony SLog3. ($299)
- Koji Studio: Advanced film color for experienced colorists. Includes technical versions of the Koji film stocks with full color separation, as well as DCI-P3 output for Cineon. Includes Koji DSLR and Log. ($799)
Take a look at each Koji suite to see if they're right for your projects, and make sure you check the system requirements. Koji is also giving NFS readers a 10% intro discount on their products. This coupon code is good for just one week (until 10/15): NOFILMSCHOOL1WEEK.
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Your Comment
22 Comments
All the big names involved in the creating of Kojo, it must be a unique product! Nice is the try out of your own examples on their website, so you can see for your self.
The case of Venice with Koji 2393 was not very well chosen though. The colors in Venice are very subtle and anything but blueish.
This looks like a serious attempt to hold on to film. Can anyone tell where Film Convert stands in relation to Koji?
October 8, 2014 at 7:32AM
Glad I bought the Osiris LUT package over these as they are a fraction of the price.
October 8, 2014 at 8:12AM
Indeed. I am using the Osiris and the Impulz LUTs. I like them better than FilmConvert.
October 8, 2014 at 3:20PM
Crazy prices.
Vision Color Impulz emulates 35mm film stocks and has about 15 for only $50. I'm sure they are good but, come on...look at your competition before pricing stuff.
October 8, 2014 at 8:20AM, Edited October 8, 8:20AM
Yup, they seem to be using the old "Cost + Profit = Price" model, versus the "Market Price - Cost = Profit" model of modern business.
October 9, 2014 at 3:40PM, Edited October 9, 3:39PM
Oooof ... look at those prices! Just use the film emulation LUTS from Juan Melaras site, they're free. http://juanmelara.com.au/print-film-emulation-luts-for-download/
October 8, 2014 at 9:07AM, Edited October 8, 9:07AM
And while you're there, check out the rest of his site, it's fantastic.
October 8, 2014 at 7:54PM
These look cool but I'm all about ImpulZ baby :) The lengths which VisionColor went to accurately create their digital to analogue conversions is nothing short of commendable. Loads more stocks, cineon and print conversions, they support more cameras and they're about 8x cheaper. I am amazed that they've not gotten a mention on here before in fact.
October 8, 2014 at 9:09AM
Sadly i am not surprised.
October 10, 2014 at 1:51PM
How much does it cost to get a ad-blog post like this?
October 8, 2014 at 9:19AM
Anyone see the reference to BMDFILMv2? Can't seem to find any reference or explanation of what they mean by version 2. Is Blackmagic releasing an updated color science for their cameras that no one has yet been told about?
October 8, 2014 at 9:44AM
There were upgrades in 1.8...ish that improved the quality of ProRes out of the camera. They might also be referring to the 4k.
October 8, 2014 at 7:58PM
Koji has different versions for Log and DSLR. The DSLR version is Rec 709 only. If you're okay with that, use the DSLR version. If you want to work with the ProRes film footage, you need Koji's Log version.
October 8, 2014 at 10:09PM
That's expensive, but damn - they look good. Real good. A benchmark to shoot for in my own grading and LUT creation.
October 8, 2014 at 10:16AM, Edited October 8, 10:16AM
If i can use this in DV and export a LUT that i can shoot with .... Ohhhh boy !
October 8, 2014 at 11:42AM
Is this better than FilmConvert or what? What do the pros think?
October 8, 2014 at 2:48PM, Edited October 8, 2:48PM
What about S-Log2?
October 8, 2014 at 11:21PM
Great, an app that makes your VIDEO look like FILM and still looks like VIDEO. I'll sell my left kidney for that.
October 8, 2014 at 11:22PM
Did the Guys at Koji look at the market to see that their stuff is way overpriced?
October 10, 2014 at 9:30AM, Edited October 10, 9:30AM
With their pricing structure they must be owned by ZACUTO!
This is a prime example...$15.20 for a pair of 6 inch elastic cords??? BTW where does the .20 cents come in to play???? Such a F#$%ing joke! http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/657226-REG/Zacuto_Z_BNDS_Z_Bands_f...
October 11, 2014 at 4:55AM, Edited October 11, 4:55AM
you have to be a real dummy to buy this. all the footage is different, light on set is different as well, this lut won't help you really unless you do some "wedding" videos and don't care how your footage look like.
better to spend some money on Dan Margulis course or book and you will understand a bit more what's the color correction is.
October 12, 2014 at 7:38AM, Edited October 12, 7:38AM
also note that most of these are 5diii, blackmagic footage. i guess this is an attempt to sell that "film look" to prosumer/enthusiasts.
There isn't much very good arri/red stuff.
also they are too hyperstylizeed to make a judgement on how good they really are
October 18, 2014 at 4:05PM