Unlock the Timeless Look of Film: Fuji Vivid 500T Cineon Emulation LUT Package
In today’s digital age, achieving the authentic look of film is no longer reserved for big-budget productions. With the Fuji Vivid 500T Cineon Emulation LUT Package, filmmakers, colorists, and content creators can transform digital footage into visuals that evoke the nostalgia of classic film stock. This LUT package is designed for those who demand authenticity and precision—created not just to look like film but to be a true representation of Fuji Vivid 500T.
Why This LUT Package Was Created: A Colorist's Need for Authenticity
As a professional colorist, I’ve often faced the challenge of delivering a true film look that goes beyond superficial presets or stylized imitations. When a client asks me for a film look, I want to confidently say, “This is a film look.”
That confidence comes from knowing exactly how the LUT was made and what it’s based on. Most so-called film look LUTs on the market are built on guesswork, crushing contrast, oversaturating colors, and distorting tonal balance. They create an artificial aesthetic that looks nothing like real film. I wanted to change that by creating a Cineon Emulation LUT that is grounded in the science of color and the art of filmmaking.
The Fuji Vivid 500T Cineon Emulation LUT Package was developed from real CINEON scans and measured color chart references. It’s based on authentic Fuji Vivid 500T film stock, ensuring that the color transformation is accurate, natural, and consistent. This approach allows me—and now you—to deliver an authentic film look with absolute confidence.
The Challenge of Creating a True Film Emulation
Creating a perfect film emulation LUT is no simple task. One of the main challenges lies in the fact that film does not have a linear response. Unlike digital sensors that capture light in a linear fashion, film has a non-linear tonal curve that contributes to its unique, cinematic look.
To accurately emulate this in a digital environment, I had to reverse-engineer the process. Here’s how I did it:
- Reverse Matching the Tone Curve: I started by matching the tone curve to that of the ARRI Alexa using precise color charts. This allowed me to neutralize the contrast differences and focus solely on the color response.
- Isolating the Color Response: Once the tone curve was matched, I extracted the color response from the Fuji Vivid 500T film scans. This isolated the unique hues and saturation characteristics of the film stock.
- Re-Introducing the Tone Curve: After accurately matching the color response, I then re-introduced the non-linear tone curve. This restored the filmic contrast and highlight roll-off that defines the cinematic look of Fuji Vivid 500T.
This reverse-engineering method ensured that the LUT wasn’t just a stylistic look, but an authentic representation of the film stock’s color science and tonal behavior. By breaking down the process into precise components, I was able to maintain the integrity of the film emulation without compromising on color accuracy or tonal consistency.
This technical approach is what sets the Fuji Vivid 500T Cineon Emulation LUT Package apart from other film look LUTs on the market. It’s not about shortcuts or approximations—it’s about true film emulation grounded in color science and meticulous craftsmanship.
How I Use This LUT Package: Crafting a Warm, Moody Film Look
I personally like to use this LUT package for projects that require a warm, dense film look. The look is based on a warm CINEON scan, and instead of removing that warmth, I decided to keep it in because I wanted the emulation to be as close as possible to the original film stock.
When paired with a film print LUT in DaVinci Resolve, this choice results in a very characteristic, dare I say, “moody” look, which I absolutely love. It brings out deep, rich shadows and warm highlights that add depth and emotion to the scene.
To get the most out of this LUT package, I make simple offset adjustments under the LUT using the DaVinci Resolve printer light keys. This technique allows for fine-tuning of the exposure and color balance without compromising the integrity of the film emulation.
I then place one of the provided film print LUTs in DaVinci Resolve on top of the Cineon LUT. This workflow achieves an accurate Cineon-to-Print pipeline, preserving the look and feel of real film while maintaining complete control over the grading process.
Pro Tip: Adding Film Grain for Realistic Texture
If you want to blend in grain realistically, I recommend introducing the grain between the Cineon LUT and the generic DaVinci Resolve print LUT.
This technique allows the grain to interact naturally with the color space and tonal curves, giving it an authentic film-like texture. By placing the grain layer in this position, it retains the look of genuine film stock, enhancing the organic feel of the image.
To achieve this in DaVinci Resolve:
- Apply the Cineon LUT to transform the footage to Cineon log space.
- Add the film grain as an adjustment layer above the Cineon LUT.
- Finish the grade by placing the print LUT on top of the grain layer.
This workflow ensures that the grain is correctly influenced by the print LUT, resulting in a cohesive and realistic film emulation. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference in achieving that true-to-film look.
Fixing Skin Tones: A Senior Colorist’s Advice
My advice to fix skin tones would always be to adjust your balance using the printer lights. Correct for the skin tones, and usually, the rest of the image will fall into place.
This approach maintains the integrity of the film emulation while ensuring natural, balanced skin tones. It prevents removing or destroying subtle nuances, which is crucial when working with the delicate tonal transitions of this LUT package.
This is just my advice as a senior colorist, but it’s a technique I rely on regularly because it provides consistent, reliable results without compromising the filmic quality of the image.
Where to Get the Fuji Vivid 500T Cineon Emulation LUT Package
Ready to elevate your color grading workflow? The Fuji Vivid 500T Cineon Emulation LUT Package is available now at Offwhitecolor.
Explore the individual versions:
- Alexa LogC3 Version – Perfect for ARRI Alexa, Alexa Mini, and Amira footage.
- Sony Slog3 Version – Ideal for Sony FX30, A7S III, FX3, and FX6.
- Blackmagic BMD Gen5 Version – Optimized for BMPCC 4K, 6K, 6K Pro, and URSA Mini Pro.
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"Achieve authentic Fuji Vivid 500T film look with our Cineon Emulation LUT Package. Built from real CINEON scans for Alexa LogC3, Sony Slog3 & Blackmagic Gen5. Perfect for Kodak 2383 print emulation."