Martin Stevens
REDuser Sponsor
Log provides for an even distribution of code values per stop of dynamic range. By putting in a black offset the math works to stop high gain near zero which can lead to excessive image noise, and gives the grade "room to move" and is necessary for the log to meet the cineon spec so that it works as grading apps expect.
The reason log encodes have more range their even distribution of code values ensures each stop has enough precision. Keeping linear light is great for colour and VFX math, but it's ever-so-wasteful on code values as each brighter stop has double the code values yet it needs no more code values than the previous darker stop. A log encode allows you to fit more stops into the available code values because it doesn't waste excessive amounts of code values on the brightest stops.
Graeme
And this is why RedLogFilm is so useful.
Thanks Graeme.
I like to think of RedLogFilm (and RAW) as a Digital Negative.