Does FCP-X CC Benefit From Using the Original .R3D Files Compared To A ProRes Export?

[Brock S.]

Just curious, my business partner and I have been debating when using the original .R3D files in Final Cut, if FCP basic color correction (exposure, hue, saturation, contrast) actually treats them as raw, compared to if we exported an .MOV.

For example, if we import a freeze-frame jpg of a shot, and blow out the whites, will the .R3D have tangibly more range than the .jpg or flattened .mov?

Thanks for any clarification!

 

[Terry VerHaar]

A good question to ponder. If I am not mistaken, all the adjustments you make to the interim files will translate faithfully back to original R3Ds, assuming you go back to them for your final render. Your example, though, seems a little odd to me as it implies using a file that isn't a temporary proxy but rather a conscious replacement. Since your jpeg and your R3D files won't be linked, you won't get the benefit of the R3D.

OTOH, if you create proxies for your edit and then color correct the proxies but relink to the original R3Ds for your final output, all cc will be applied to the R3Ds. What I might be suspicious of, though, is whether monitoring the proxies during cc will fail to give you a complete and accurate sense of the corrections you are making. The difference would probably be subtle but might be present.

 

[Brock S.]

Thanks a ton Terry for your feedback! I guess my main question is this: are there quality differences in color correcting an .mov compared to the raw .r3d's in FCP-X?

Like if i decided to export .MOV's out of redcine and use those for my edit AND final delivery, instead of relinking the .R3D's at the end before export. Am I losing anything be deciding not to use .R3D's?

 

[Scott Crawley]

Like if i decided to export .MOV's out of redcine and use those for my edit AND final delivery, instead of relinking the .R3D's at the end before export. Am I losing anything be deciding not to use .R3D's?

Generally speaking yes, but all depends upon the parameters you set when encoding your proxy.

 

[Terry VerHaar]

Generally speaking yes, but all depends upon the parameters you set when encoding your proxy.

I agree with Scott. In the extreme, if you were to export a ProRes 444, you'd probably have very little loss, if any, of quality in your final product. A highly compressed H.264 might yield less desirable results.