Rumor has it that Nikon is working on a new version of N-Log. Allegedly, N-Log2 is already in use for testing purposes. Later, all N-Log-capable Nikon cameras are to receive an upgrade to the improved log profile via firmware update.
Nikon Z9 / Z8 / Z6III
Since the acquisition of RED, it is known that Nikon is striving to integrate the acquired know-how - especially in the field of Color Science - into its Z-line. The first steps were the release of some RED LUTs for N-Log last September, as well as the support of N-RAW in RED's transcoding tool REDCINE-X Pro, which will indirectly lead to Adobe Premiere Pro, for example, being able to interpret N-RAW after an update of the RED SDK.
Now N-Log2 is to follow, undoubtedly developed in cooperation with RED. Where is there room for improvement? The issue of consistency comes to mind: Ideally, every shot filmed in N-Log would have a similar look with the same LUT. So far, however, Nikon has provided its own LUT for each of its cameras. The RED LUTs already mentioned did bring a simplification in this regard, but even more could certainly be unified by an optimized gamma interpretation during the logarithmization of the linear sensor data.
To what extent the new N-Log2 is also related to the allegedly also in development Nikon ZR - "R" like RED - remains to be seen. According to rumors, this camera (www.slashcam.de/news/single/Geruecht--Nikon-ZR-wird-6K60p-Z-Mount-Kamera-mit-RE-19296.html) - the first Nikon Z with integrated REDCODE RAW recording - will be available alongside a continued N-RAW. A standardized pipeline would certainly be advisable here. We are curious to see what the curve specialists come up with.
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