p.1 #1 · Film simulation on Sony cameras using picture profiles
I wanted to try something different for my photography, so I started investigating film simulations and how I might apply them in my photography.
Eventually I came across this website: https://www.veresdenialex.com/sony-film-simulation-recipes
I purchased the pdf and setup some of the profiles on my A7CR and have been experimenting. Last Sunday I was out hiking around Tahoe, and I set the camera up to the Kodak Gold film simulation. The profile settings only effect the jpeg file so you have to be shooting jpeg. I'm normally a raw shooter, and fairly deliberate in the photos I take. Shooting jpeg and experimenting freed me from my self imposed constraints.
I just wanted to share this experience and some of the results that I'm happy with. The experience kind of gelled with Alex Armitage's recent video about the benefits he found in his photography when he started shooting jpeg only. It's kind of freeing and I can quickly upload the photos to my phone and share them without post-processing them.
Has anyone else tried some film simulations using picture profiles?
They have profiles that can be applied to raw files through Lightroom. You have to first purchase their base color profiles, then apply their emulations on top of that.
Personally, haven’t tried the emulations. But I do use the base camera profiles. So I can’t recommend the emulations from firsthand experience. But it might be worth looking into
They have profiles that can be applied to raw files through Lightroom. You have to first purchase their base color profiles, then apply their emulations on top of that.
Personally, haven’t tried the emulations. But I do use the base camera profiles. So I can’t recommend the emulations from firsthand experience. But it might be worth looking into
The Kodak emulations are fairly spot-on, but pricey. If you love Portra, that one's definitely worth it.
p.1 #8 · Film simulation on Sony cameras using picture profiles
Are the Cobalt Profiles worth it? Especially given the fact you have to purchase the base profile first? Is the base profile that different than use Adobe Standard or Camera Standard?
p.1 #9 · Film simulation on Sony cameras using picture profiles
Dultimate wrote:
Are the Cobalt Profiles worth it? Especially given the fact you have to purchase the base profile first? Is the base profile that different than use Adobe Standard or Camera Standard?
Actually, the base profile alone can be worth it. How much you buy in to their film emulations is up to you. I only own the Portra profile because it's the best emulation for that specific film, and I love that look.
Whether or not the base profile for your camera is worth it to you is a matter of taste. This page gives a lot of good examples of photos pushed through both systems.
The Adobe processing certainly doesn't look bad, but the goal seems to be more finished product than it is a place for you to start your own editing, and that's what I like about Cobalt. It gives me a more neutral place to start my processing without favoring the warm tones.
p.1 #10 · Film simulation on Sony cameras using picture profiles
I like and use Cobalt profiles for most of my images. I have a few of their film packs but mostly use their base profile, Cobalt Colors, or their emulation of Fuji GFX Nostalgic Negative. All three have a balanced look.
While I used to shoot film decades ago, I see no point personally in trying to have the look of one specific film or another. It is more about the balance of colors and tones with no one answer being magic. To me, that is the benefit of digital…it is available for your interpretation, rather than that served up by a particular film company or preset.
p.1 #11 · Film simulation on Sony cameras using picture profiles
Grenache wrote:
I like and use Cobalt profiles for most of my images. I have a few of their film packs but mostly use their base profile, Cobalt Colors, or their emulation of Fuji GFX Nostalgic Negative. All three have a balanced look.
While I used to shoot film decades ago, I see no point personally in trying to have the look of one specific film or another. It is more about the balance of colors and tones with no one answer being magic. To me, that is the benefit of digital…it is available for your interpretation, rather than that served up by a particular film company or preset.
p.1 #12 · Film simulation on Sony cameras using picture profiles
3D LUTs are the best platform to create film and creative looks from. Right now the only Sony cameras which support them are its video-oriented bodies (including the A7s III), but hopefully they'll expand that to other existing and future models, since it works for both stills and video.
p.1 #13 · Film simulation on Sony cameras using picture profiles
I think that Cobalt is worth it. They often do 20% discounts, so look out for them. Bastian at Philipreeve.net did a good review of the Kodak Portra emulation (which I bought) and I've since bought the Fuji (when 20% off) I still grade a lot myself and try a couple of the Cobalts and what works best varies according to the images. I'm not trying to get. A 'film look', more a 'less-digital' look. I haven't worked out how to process those awful hard electric blue skies and find that the Cobalts always help that. The one real irritation is if you sell a camera, you have a redundant base profile. They ought to do a 'trade-in' deal!
p.1 #14 · Film simulation on Sony cameras using picture profiles
Viramati wrote:
interesting but not about to pay the high price for them
The pdf was 32 Euros.
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motiwala wrote:
Possibly, those pictures would look better without applying them.
Cool thanks
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aCuria wrote:
Not shooting raw is like throwing away the negatives.
I think its ok to do the picture profile thing but you should still keep the raw files. Storage is cheap these days.
There is better desktop based film emulation, like DxO FilmPack, Dehancer, Film convert
I did shoot raw + jpeg. My point, which I guess I didn't express very well, was that I wanted to experiment with achieving a certain look in camera. I was only ever going to share these on my private social media account and with my fellow hikers who don't want to wait for me to go home and post process the raws. I thought I'd share some here to see if anyone else had experimented with pp for an in-camera look.
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Dultimate wrote:
Along these lines are there any good Lightroom Presets that can do this in RAW?
There are a few. As others have mentioned, Cobalt Image does this. The link I provided, also provides Lightroom presets. By the way I have no affiliation with the products I have mentioned. Just sharing my experience.
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robert614 wrote:
Have you checked out Cobalt Image profiles and film emulations?
They have profiles that can be applied to raw files through Lightroom. You have to first purchase their base color profiles, then apply their emulations on top of that.
Personally, haven’t tried the emulations. But I do use the base camera profiles. So I can’t recommend the emulations from firsthand experience. But it might be worth looking into
Hi. Yes I have seen them before and they were what inspired me, along with Fuji presets, to see if I could achieve something similar in-camera with Sony. Fred posted about the cobalt profiles a few years ago and if I recall correctly, many posters were happy with them.
