Guide

How to convert log to Rec.709.

Updated November 7, 2026

Flat log footage is not delivery-ready. Convert it to Rec.709 first, then apply a creative look. Filmsilk and most cinematic .cube packs expect that converted Rec.709 world.

Step 1: Identify the log

• Check the camera picture profile / gamma (C-Log, S-Log, V-Log, Log-C, D-Log, and similar) and the color gamut if listed.
• If the waveform looks compressed and the image looks gray on a Rec.709 monitor, treat it as log until you convert.
• Do not treat HLG phone HDR as camera log—use the editor's HDR / color-management path instead.

Step 2: Convert in your editor

1. DaVinci Resolve: use Color Management or a dedicated conversion LUT / CST node before any creative LUT node. Full creative apply notes: Apply a LUT in DaVinci Resolve.
2. Premiere Pro: put the camera conversion under Lumetri Color → Basic Correction → Input LUT (or color-manage log media). Keep creative looks under Creative Look. Full steps: Apply a LUT in Premiere Pro.
3. Final Cut Pro: check Camera LUT on import / Info inspector, or apply the matching conversion before a Custom LUT creative look. Full steps: Apply a LUT in Final Cut Pro.

Step 3: Then apply the creative look

• Load the Rec.709 creative .cube after conversion.
• Dial intensity / Mix / Key Output Gain so skin and sky stay natural. Intensity guide: How to adjust LUT intensity.
• A/B a bright exterior, a dark interior, and a face before you lock the look.

Role of each tool: LUT vs color grade. What a 3D creative cube is: What is a 3D LUT?.

FAQ

What does convert log to Rec.709 mean?

It means applying a technical conversion (camera LUT, Input LUT, or color management) so flat log footage becomes display-referred Rec.709. Creative looks usually expect that converted image, not still-flat log.

Where do I get the conversion?

Camera makers publish free conversion LUTs for their log formats. DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro also include built-in conversions for many cameras. Use the exact log + gamut pair your camera recorded.

Should I put a creative LUT in the conversion slot?

No. Keep technical conversion separate from creative looks. In Premiere, conversion belongs under Basic Correction Input LUT; creative looks belong under Creative Look. In Resolve, use a dedicated conversion node before the creative LUT node.

What if I convert twice?

Double conversion crushes blacks, clips highlights, and oversaturates color. If Final Cut or Premiere already applied a camera LUT on import, do not add another conversion LUT on top.

Where Filmsilk fits

Every Filmsilk look is a standard 3D .cube for Rec.709. Convert log first, then try every look on your own frame before you buy. The Collection is $29 one-time; Filmsilk Complete is $39 with Studio export so you can tweak a look and save your own .cube.