Nikon has finally started the paid upgrade services to enable RAW video output for Z6 & Z7 after a long wait since the announcement. You can now shoot in 12-Bit, Apple ProRes RAW format as long as you have a firmware upgraded ATOMOS Ninja V to go along.
As the format is relatively new as of writing, only Apple Final Cut Pro X and Edius Pro 9 have native supports for the format. Unfortunately, both are not what I am familiar with.
Like many of you, I am very excited to explore into getting the best footage out of Nikon Z6 and here it is, the most affordable, full-frame portable mirrorless camera that shoot and output 12-bit RAW video, great for producing HDR contents without the usual high-cost of cinema cameras.
Before you start, the RAW video output require one time non-reversible and non-transferable activation at selected Nikon service centers. Depending on where you coming from, the activation will cost you USD 199 or more. With the activation ‘installed’, you are then free to upgrade to future firmware by yourself. The feature will require firmware v2.20 or newer to work, so you should not downgrade to anything prior to this for whatever the reasons is.
Once it is enabled by service center, you will need to activate the output from the HDMI setting menu as well as selecting the resolution you’ll work with. Z6 currently provide options to shoot in 4K UHD up to 30FPS, or 2K FHD up to 60FPS. You can choose to shoot any of the resolution using the full sensor width (Full-frame, or FX-format), or use only the middle portion of the sensor width (Cropped-frame, or DX-format). Do bear in mind that, Z7 offers lesser options in this case, check official technical guide (RAW Video Recording Edition)for details.
Once the HDMI cable is connected, ATOMOS Ninja V will shows a warning message if the recorder is not working in ProRes RAW mode, pressing OK to switch to the ProRes RAW mode and voila, everything else should be auto-detected, configured correctly and you can start shooting immediately! Otherwise, make sure you match settings for correct image processing as pictured above.
In short, Z6 will be outputting 12-Bit unprocessed data via HDMI connector to ATOMOS Ninja V (The only recorder supported as of writing) for decoding and then storing the data into MOV container with ProRes RAW codec. It will be in a wide color gamut , known as BT. 2020. It is slightly different from shooting with Log-gamma curve, you’ll be able to preview in full color spectrum on your Ninja V, and has access to the full range of ISO starting from ISO 100 to ISO 51200 for Z6. This provide a lot of flexibility when shooting in broad daylight to use larger wide open aperture without relying on ND filter, which in some case is troublesome. You can also visualize how will the footage looked like in various HDR mode using AtomHDR.
Bear in mind that as the RAW output provide unprocessed data to external recorder, this will also means that many of the in-camera functions will not be available. Features including High-ISO noise reduction, Active D-lighting, Electronic VR, Lens correction will not be there. On the other hand, in-camera sensor 5-axis VR, or the IBIS is still functional as well as the full auto-focus functionality thankfully. Who doesn’t love fast and easy face-tracking that works exceptionally well in interview shots right?
Once you gotten the footages ready, the next step is to consider the NLE you gonna use to decode and work with. For Mac users, the only option now would be Final Cut Pro X otherwise Edius Pro 9 for Windows users. If you are new to either software like me, FCPX is a lot simpler to use, and it is easier to work in and outputting HDR ready contents.
I am still learning myself and finding better ways to work in FCPX, I will be sharing some pointers as soon as possible. So do follow this blog for more, and let me know in the comment below if any suggestions. 😀
Last but not least, before I end this long-winded post, I have prepared 3 sample clips for you to play with…
- Nikon FLAT Profile, Rec.709, 10-Bit in ProRes 422
- Nikon N-Log, Rec. 2020, 10-Bit in ProRes 422
- Nikon RAW, Rec. 2020, 12-Bit in ProRes RAW.
All three files are straight out from ATOMOS Ninja V and zipped with the password – ‘albertyap.com‘. The clips were all renamed accordingly to the recording format.
Please be warned that the files are huge in size, you can download them here if you wish so.
Thank you and have fun playing.
Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!