Simple LUTS have you covered as each have their own finely tuned conversion LUTS that were filmed like all the other cameras with in the Simple LUT space, using X-Rite Color Checker cards and X-Rite White Balance cards filmed entirely on location in the various conditions and using the different camera brands and the ND filter brands as each ND filter has it's own color cast and characteristics but you can read about that HERE.
What is included in your Simple LUTS pack for the specific ND filter brands listed below:
Compatible on with iPhone 15/16 Pro & Pro Max
ND filter brands that are on our list and they include, Smallrig VND, Freewell Standard day and Bright VND, Sanmarc VND, Sherpa VND from Freewell, Polar Pro Litechaser Pro, Polar Pro Peter McKinnon Signature series 2 VND, K&F True Color VND, URTH Neutral ND’s and Urth / Gobe VND and any updates to the filter brands will be a free upgrade and the use of these filters ensure the colours will be WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) More brands are coming soon!
Conversion LUTS included in the pack are Neutral or VND LUTS, filter dependant
for the APPLE LOG Profile and the same variations in the monitor LUTS
Simple LUTS works with all the greatest filters
Filming in Log on the iPhone 15/16 Pro takes creativity to a whole new level! Paired with monitor LUTs that let you preview your final look or even bake them in, it’s perfect for mobile filmmakers who want pro-level results straight from their pocket. Plus, the NO ND FILTER AUTO SHUTTER LUT PACK is included and also sold separately, giving you flexibility whether you’re shooting with or without filters!
iPhone 15/16 pro Set up Guide
Here’s a simple setup guideline to ensure optimal video quality, with an emphasis on using simple LUTs and ND filters:
Set White Balance
Lock the white balance at 5600K. This ensures consistent color temperature, especially when shooting outdoors in daylight, providing a solid foundation for color grading with simple LUTS.
Adjust ISO
Set the ISO to the lowest possible value to reduce noise and achieve the cleanest image quality. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your footage when applying LUTS in post-production.
Adjust Frame Rate
Choose your frame rate based on the desired effect, such as 24fps for a cinematic feel or 60fps for slow-motion footage. Consistency in frame rate aids in maintaining uniformity when applying LUTS across different shots.
Set Shutter Speed
Set your shutter speed to double your frame rate. For example, if you're shooting at 24fps, set the shutter speed to 1/50th of a second. This follows the 180-degree shutter rule, giving your footage natural motion blur, which is essential for achieving a cinematic look. We recommend using 50p/60p with 1/100 or 1/120th shutter speeds, respectively, as this allows you to utilise slow-motion and slightly darkens the image, unless using Auto Shutter with No ND filter, then just frame rate is the same.
Use ND Filters
To maintain correct exposure with the above settings, use ND filters. Different ND filter stops allow you to adapt to various lighting conditions without altering your shutter speed or ISO. Choose ND filters from trusted brands that are included on our lists to ensure high-quality, consistent results. Using Simple LUTS alongside these filters enhances the dynamic range and color accuracy of your footage, making it easier to achieve a polished look in post-production.
Apply Simple LUTs
After capturing your footage, apply simple LUTs designed for Apple Log profile. These LUTS work well with footage shot using ND filters, helping to bring out the full dynamic range and color depth captured in the scene. The combination of ND filters and LUTs simplifies the color grading process, ensuring professional-looking results with minimal effort. If using no ND filters with auto shutter at 50/60p and white balance always locked at 5600K, Tint at zero "0"
When using ND filters with low shutter speeds like 24p, 50/60p, lock your shutter speed to double the frame rate, make sure that white balance is and should be always at 5600k and your iso is at 55 ( reason is that all ND filters from ND4 to ND64 are calibrated with the lowest iso and expose levels will educate you to which ND is best or if you have chosen the right on) and also as important, Tint, when using the amazing Black Magic camera app is locked to zero “0”
Using the iPhone 15/16 Pro with the Blackmagic Camera App, combined with Simple LUTS and the right ND filter brand can significantly elevate the quality and consistency of your footage. This setup is particularly advantageous for filmmakers who want to achieve a cinematic look while maintaining control over their shooting conditions and post-production workflow.
Professional Control with the Blackmagic Camera App
The Blackmagic Camera app on the iPhone 15/16 Pro offers a powerful suite of tools that can elevate your mobile videography to professional standards. It provides full manual control over exposure, ISO, white balance, focus, and shutter speed, giving you the ability to fine-tune settings for different shooting environments. This level of control is essential when working with ND filters and Log profiles, ensuring footage that is easy to grade later. Additionally, advanced monitoring tools like false color, focus peaking, and waveform monitors help you capture footage accurately, making it ready for grading with LUTS.
Benefits of Using Simple LUTS
Simple LUTS can be integrated into the Blackmagic Camera app, allowing real-time preview of your color grade while shooting. This helps in making immediate adjustments to lighting, exposure, and framing to match the desired final look. These LUTs are designed to work across various lighting conditions, ND filters, and Log profiles, ensuring a consistent color palette throughout your footage. This is particularly useful when shooting in dynamic or challenging environments. Moreover, Simple LUTS offer customisable looks, allowing you to modify or create LUTS tailored to your specific project needs, giving you creative flexibility while maintaining a professional, cohesive appearance.
Importance of Using the Right ND Filter Brand
Choosing the right ND filter brand is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your footage. Different ND filter brands can introduce varying color casts, so selecting the correct one ensures that the LUTS you apply work as intended. ND filters also allow you to control exposure without altering other camera settings, enabling you to shoot with a wide aperture or slower shutter speed even in bright conditions. This is essential for achieving a shallow depth of field or motion blur that matches your creative vision.
Practical Workflow Integration
The Blackmagic Camera app’s real-time monitoring tools allow for on-set adjustments based on the ND filter and LUT combination you’re using. This might include tweaking exposure or selecting a different LUT depending on the lighting conditions, but always maintaining the 5600K white balance to ensure consistency with Simple LUTS. By using a well-tested combination of ND filters, LUTS, and the Blackmagic Camera app, you can streamline post-production. Your footage will be closely aligned with your final vision, allowing for quicker, more efficient editing.
Benefits of This Combined Approach
Using the iPhone 15 Pro with the Blackmagic Camera app, combined with Simple LUTS and the right ND filter brand, provides a powerful, professional-level filmmaking setup. This approach allows you to achieve cinematic quality with consistent results across different shots and scenes, reducing the need for extensive color correction. Additionally, the ability to preview LUTS in real-time and adjust on the fly gives you the creative flexibility to experiment with different looks and styles, all while maintaining control over the technical aspects of your shoot.
Professional Control with the Blackmagic Camera App
Manual Control Over Camera Settings: The Blackmagic Camera app gives you full manual control over exposure, ISO, white balance, and focus, allowing you to fine-tune your settings for different shooting environments. This level of control is crucial when working with ND filters and Log profiles, as it ensures you capture footage that can be easily graded later.
- Advanced Monitoring Tools: Features like false color, focus peaking, and waveform monitors help you precisely control exposure and focus, ensuring that your footage is captured correctly and ready for grading with LUTS.
- ProRes and Log Recording: The app supports recording in high-quality formats like ProRes and Log, which retain more detail and dynamic range, making them ideal for applying LUTS in post-production but also work perfectly well in the HEVC codec.
Benefits of Using Simple LUTS
- Real-Time LUT Application: Simple LUTS can be ingested into the Blackmagic Camera app, allowing you to preview your color grade in real-time while shooting. This helps you make immediate adjustments to lighting, exposure, and framing to match the desired final look.
- Consistency Across Shooting Conditions: Simple LUTS are often designed to work across various lighting conditions, ND filters, and Log profiles, ensuring a consistent color palette throughout your footage. This is particularly useful when shooting in dynamic or challenging environments.
- Customisable Looks: You can modify or create LUTS tailored to your specific project needs, giving you creative flexibility while ensuring that your footage maintains a professional, cohesive appearance.
Importance of Using the Right ND Filter Brand
- Color Cast Management: Different ND filter brands can introduce varying color casts to your footage. Choosing the right ND filter brand, that we cover is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your footage and ensuring that the LUTs you apply work as intended.
- Consistency in Exposure: ND filters allow you to control exposure without altering other camera settings, enabling you to shoot with a wide aperture or slower shutter speed even in bright conditions. This is essential for achieving a shallow depth of field or motion blur that matches your creative vision.
Practical Workflow Integration
- On-Set Adjustments: Use the app’s real-time monitoring tools to adjust your settings based on the ND filter and LUT combination you’re using. This might include tweaking exposure, or even selecting a different LUT depending on the lighting conditions but always maintain the 5600K white balance rule to ensure consistency when using Simple LUTS and Tint is set and locked to zero “0”
- Streamlined Post-Production: By using a well-tested combination of ND filters, LUTS, and the Blackmagic Camera app, you can reduce the time spent on color correction in post-production. Your footage will already be closely aligned with your final vision, allowing for quicker, more efficient editing.
Benefits of This Combined Approach
- Cinematic Quality: This setup allows you to achieve a professional, cinematic look with your iPhone 15/16 Pro, making your mobile footage look like it was shot on higher-end cameras.
- Efficiency and Consistency: By integrating Simple LUTS and the right ND filter brand, you maintain consistency across different shots and scenes, making your project more cohesive and reducing the need for extensive color correction.
- Creative Flexibility: The ability to preview LUTS in real-time and adjust on the fly gives you the creative flexibility to experiment with different looks and styles, all while maintaining control over the technical aspects of your shoot.
Conclusion
By integrating the Blackmagic Camera app with Simple LUTS and the right ND filter brand, you can push the boundaries of mobile videography and achieve cinematic results. This setup ensures that you capture high-quality footage with precise control over exposure and color, while also maintaining the flexibility to achieve your desired look in both shooting and post-production. This combination is ideal for filmmakers looking to bridge the gap between mobile and professional filmmaking, delivering footage that rivals higher-end cameras.