Canon Log (C-Log 3): which LUT, and how to apply it

A Canon Log clip looks pale and flat. You need two things, in this order: the conversion to Rec.709, then your look.

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Canon Log, Canon Log 2 or Canon Log 3?

Depending on the body, Canon offers Canon Log, Canon Log 2 or Canon Log 3. Check the setting in your camera menu, and the color space next to it (Cinema Gamut or BT.709): the conversion LUT must match both.

1. Get Canon's official LUT

Canon publishes its conversion LUTs for free (Canon Log 2 and Canon Log 3 to BT.709) on its support site. Take the file that matches your profile and color space.

2. Convert in your editing app

• Final Cut Pro: the Canon Log 2 and Canon Log 3 (Cinema Gamut) camera LUTs are built in and often applied automatically (Info inspector › Camera LUT).
• Premiere Pro: if its automatic log handling is on, it converts Canon Log on its own. If not, apply the Canon LUT as an Input LUT (Basic Correction).
• DaVinci Resolve: a Color Space Transform node, input Canon Cinema Gamut and Canon Log 3, output Rec.709.
• CapCut (desktop): import the Canon LUT on the clip, then your creative LUT on top.

3. Add your look

Fix exposure and white balance, then add your creative LUT and set its intensity. Expose well on set: underexposed log footage quickly gets noisy in the shadows once converted.

Step by step per app: Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, CapCut, DaVinci Resolve.

In Color Studio, pick the Canon C-Log3 camera profile: the studio converts your shot before applying the look.

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