A thorough study of Cine3


In this lesson we’ll focus on just one picture profile – Cine3 – against four color spaces: Cinema (the one Sony wants you to use with it) Matrix 709 (Rec. 709) Pro (Rec. 709) S-Gamut (for S-Log2, but let’s see for ourselves!) Cinema Color Space Here’s what Cine3 looks like, in the Cinema color space (In this ... Read more

In this lesson we’ll focus on just one picture profile – Cine3 – against four color spaces:

  • Cinema (the one Sony wants you to use with it)
  • Matrix 709 (Rec. 709)
  • Pro (Rec. 709)
  • S-Gamut (for S-Log2, but let’s see for ourselves!)

Cinema Color Space

Here’s what Cine3 looks like, in the Cinema color space (In this order: -4, -2, 0, +2, +4, click to enlarge):

What do you think?

Matrix Color Space

Here’s what Cine3 looks like, in the Matrix color space (In this order: -4, -2, 0, +2, +4, click to enlarge):

What do you think?

Pro Color Space

Here’s what Cine3 looks like, in the Pro color space (In this order: -4, -2, 0, +2, +4, click to enlarge):

What do you think?

S-Gamut Color Space

Here’s what Cine3 looks like, in the S-Gamut color space (In this order: -4, -2, 0, +2, +4, click to enlarge):

Who wins? Look for these things:

  • Which has better texture in the underexposed regions?
  • Which looks better when clipped either way? Is there a good roll-off at either end?
  • Which as more dynamic range?
  • Which has better skin patches?
  • Which has a better look overall?

Try to at least answer the above before reading the next. Otherwise I’ll be putting words in your head. Here’s a tip: Study each exposure point against the others. E.g., study all -2s together, then 0s together, and so on.

What I think

The highlights become yellow. The dynamic range in the shadows is lower than Cine2, but it’s better than Standard mode. The colors are most accurate with the Cinema color space. S-Gamut has better dynamic in the highlights, but it turns yellow and ugly.

Here’s the official wording from Sony:

Intensifies the contrast in light and shade more than [Cine1] and[Cine2] and strengthens gradation in black.

Click on the link below to the next lesson or head over to the main menu (above). If you need help with something, feel free to send me an email. I’ll try to get back to you as soon as possible.

Author Bio
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Sareesh Sudhakaran is a film director and award-winning cinematographer with over 24 years of experience. His second film, "Gin Ke Dus", was released in theaters in India in March 2024. As an educator, Sareesh walks the talk. His online courses help aspiring filmmakers realize their filmmaking dreams. Sareesh is also available for hire on your film!