Nikon and RED Release Nine Free Image Recipes for Select Z-Mount Cameras

Nikon has launched 9 free Picture Recipes developed in collaboration with RED, bringing cinema-inspired colour profiles to the Nikon ZR, Z6 III, Z50 II, Z5 II, and Zf cameras by way of the Nikon Imaging Cloud.The discharge marks one other tangible consequence of Nikon’s acquisition of RED Digital Cinema in March 2024, following the launch of the cinema-focused Nikon ZR earlier this 12 months. These Picture Recipes operate as baked-in image profiles that emulate standard RED LUTs, permitting shooters to attain cinematic seems to be instantly in-camera with out intensive post-production colour grading. For individuals who want to show round footage shortly or ship non-Log materials to shoppers, this strategy gives a sensible various to the total RAW or Log workflow.What precisely are the Picture Recipes?The Picture Recipes are primarily customized Image Management profiles based mostly on RED’s CineBias colour science. In contrast to conventional LUT recordsdata that may be utilized in post-production, these profiles are utilized in-camera throughout recording, producing absolutely baked-in footage. The strategy is much like how Sony’s S-Cinetone works on FX-series cameras, offering a ready-to-use cinematic aesthetic straight out of the digital camera.9 recipes are included within the launch: R1_CineBias gives a clear, cool, gentle cinematic base look with subtly enhanced blues and greens whereas sustaining pure pores and skin tones. R2_CineBias-T (Cool Environment) wraps photographs in a mild teal-green hue for a moody, introspective high quality. R3_CineBias-C (Crisp Teal Distinction) delivers sharp, dramatic contrasts with a recent, edgy really feel. R4_CineBias-CC (Noir Vibes) creates an atmospheric teal tint with a moody, nearly surreal aesthetic appropriate for dystopian or dramatic storytelling. R5_CineBias WC (Grit & Glow) thrives on excessive distinction, mixing deep shadows with vibrant highlights the place oranges and reds pop with vitality.The remaining profiles push into extra experimental territory. R6_CineBias-TC (Inexperienced Edge Experimental) contains a sturdy greenish tint that dominates the colour palette for an avant-garde aptitude. R7_CineBiasOffset offers a refined, cinematic colour grading with a cool, muted tone preferrred for narrative work. R8_CineBias Achromic strips all colour for a pure black-and-white aesthetic with balanced grayscale tones. R9_CineBias BleachBypass introduces a high-contrast, desaturated type harking back to basic movie processing strategies.Suitable cameras and technical requirementsThe Picture Recipes can be found completely by the Nikon Imaging Cloud service and work solely with cameras that help this platform. Presently, this consists of the Nikon ZR, Z6 III, Z50 II, Z5 II, and Zf. Notably absent from this record are the flagship Z8 and Z9 cameras, which don’t but help the Imaging Cloud service. That is considerably shocking given the numerous video capabilities Nikon has constructed into these our bodies, and customers of these cameras might want to await future firmware help or depend on conventional LUT workflows.The recipes can solely be utilized when recording in SDR tone mode and won’t work with N-Log or HLG footage. Suitable codecs embody ProRes 422 HQ 10-bit (MOV), H.265 10-bit (MOV), H.265 8-bit (MOV), and H.265 8-bit (MP4). For optimum outcomes, Nikon recommends setting Lively D-Lighting to “Further excessive” or “Further excessive 1” when utilizing these profiles, as this preserves spotlight particulars whereas attaining wealthy, cinema-like tonal gradations.The Nikon ZR is only one of many Nikon cameras that help the Nikon Picture Recipes. Picture credit score: CineDWorkflow implicationsOnce downloaded from the Nikon Imaging Cloud, the Picture Recipes seem within the Set Image Management menu as customized profiles. As a result of these are baked-in seems to be utilized throughout recording, customers sacrifice the enhancing latitude usually afforded by Log or RAW footage. This trade-off is intentional: the profiles are designed for shooters who prioritize quick turnaround instances or who have to ship ready-to-use footage with out intensive colour grading.The dearth of a power or opacity slider means customers should commit absolutely to every look. Among the extra aggressive colour remedies, notably the experimental profiles like Inexperienced Edge or Noir Vibes, might show tough to change considerably in post-production. For initiatives requiring most flexibility, taking pictures in N-RAW, REDCODE RAW NE, or ProRes RAW stays the higher alternative, with colour grading dealt with in software program like DaVinci Resolve utilizing RED’s normal LUT packages.How this suits into the Nikon-RED ecosystemThe Picture Recipes characterize one other step in Nikon’s integration of RED colour science throughout its mirrorless digital camera lineup. Following the Nikon ZR launch, which launched REDCODE RAW NE inside recording and RED colour science to a Nikon physique, these profiles prolong RED-inspired seems to be to extra reasonably priced cameras within the Z-mount system. For shooters working with each Nikon hybrids and RED cinema cameras on the identical manufacturing, the shared colour basis may simplify matching footage throughout completely different digital camera our bodies.4 of the recipes (CineBias, CineBias Offset, Bleach Bypass, and Achromic) have been accessible beforehand as downloadable LUT recordsdata for N-Log footage. The brand new additions push the artistic choices additional with extra stylized seems to be that may require appreciable effort to recreate manually in put up.The total record of the present Nikon RED Picture recipes from the Nikon Imaging Cloud web site. Availability and pricingThe Nikon and RED Picture Recipes can be found as a free obtain by the Nikon Imaging Cloud service. Customers might want to register for the service (which is free) and guarantee their digital camera firmware helps cloud connectivity. The recipes work with each video and nonetheless images, although they’re primarily marketed towards video creators searching for cinematic aesthetics.The free availability makes these profiles value exploring for any Nikon shooter with a appropriate digital camera, although the baked-in nature and lack of depth management imply they require some dedication to make use of successfully. Will you be attempting these RED-inspired seems to be in your Nikon footage, or do you favor the flexibleness of grading Log materials in put up? Don’t hesitate to tell us within the feedback under!