How to expose Prores RAW

Here are my tips on how to expose Prores RAW using the Atomos Ninja V:

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Prores RAW review

I explain a lot of my rationale in this Prores RAW review video as well (as of 28th January 2020):

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What does Nikon say?

Nikon has published a Technical Guide for RAW recording, with the following info (paraphrasing):

• Standard Picture Control is applied to the LCD, not the Ninja V.
• The image on the Ninja V does not match the final image. Please read the Ninja V manual for details.

In other words, nothing about how to expose or grade.

Summary

Follow these steps:

1. Custom White Balance – this will save you a lot of time later. If you can’t, at least fix the WB to one value. Don’t use Auto WB!
2. Pick Prores RAW as the codec. You don’t need Prores RAW HQ.
3. In the Atomos Ninja V, pick Native or HLG. You don’t really need to pick PQ, and try not to pick 709. I’ve found the colors on the 709 way off even if you underexpose.
4. Most important step: Underexpose by 1.3 stops (or between 1 stop and 2 stops). This gives you enough highlight recovery options while maintaining a great image. Since the Z6 is a great low light camera you don’t have to worry too much about the noise in the shadows. The Ninja V shows too much noise, but it doesn’t exist in the footage.
5. Look at the Ninja V monitor and if the clipping looks too bad, you might want to underexpose a little bit to preserve those highlights. Once clipped, they stay clipped. If you don’t like what you see on the Ninja V, you won’t like it later in FCP X either.

That’s it! All you have to do is use the waveform to underexpose by 1 to 2 stops. If you’re used to grey charts, you know middle grey is supposed to fall at 45 IRE or thereabouts.

What you’ll notice is they typically fall at about 60 IRE or so, just underexpose and you should be good. What I’ve seen is you can and should trust the waveform monitor over any other tool in this case.

If you don’t know how to read a waveform monitor, now’s a good time. Here’s a great video to help you get started: