S5II V-Log looking a bit soft, VND issue or something else?

I have a S5II and just shot some video at HEVC 5.9K 420 in V-log. I was using a Panasonic 14-28mm lens and Nisi True Color Variable ND.

When I looked at the footage on my PC, it looks a bit soft and I would like to know what could be causing it. I was using manual focus and made sure everything was in focus before I took the footage.

I know V-Log has less sharpening than other profiles but, even so the footage looks a bit soft and lacking detail, even after adding a bit of sharpening in Premiere Pro.

I can't share the actual video as it is a bit large, so here is a screenshot of an unedited video. It was taken at 16mm f/9:



The lens seems fine as I have taken lots of photos with it and they are fine with sharpness, so I wondered if the variable ND filter I was using was causing a bit of softness and how would I know?

Also, at what aperture would I notice diffraction start to appear? I assumed at f/11 and narrower the image would start to show signs of softening a little.

I am getting a Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 lens and want to use it to take video at wider angles instead of the Panasonic 14-28mm.

--

If find that the best way to live life, is not in the pursuit of material possessions, but its to live in the pursuit of making positive differences to both other people and to the planet as a whole and if you can get others to do similar or the same, so much the better.

DNature said:

I have a S5II and just shot some video at HEVC 5.9K 420 in V-log. I was using a Panasonic 14-28mm lens and Nisi True Color Variable ND.

When I looked at the footage on my PC, it looks a bit soft and I would like to know what could be causing it. I was using manual focus and made sure everything was in focus before I took the footage.

I know V-Log has less sharpening than other profiles but, even so the footage looks a bit soft and lacking detail, even after adding a bit of sharpening in Premiere Pro.

I can't share the actual video as it is a bit large, so here is a screenshot of an unedited video. It was taken at 16mm f/9:



The lens seems fine as I have taken lots of photos with it and they are fine with sharpness, so I wondered if the variable ND filter I was using was causing a bit of softness and how would I know?

Also, at what aperture would I notice diffraction start to appear? I assumed at f/11 and narrower the image would start to show signs of softening a little.

I am getting a Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 lens and want to use it to take video at wider angles instead of the Panasonic 14-28mm.

--

If find that the best way to live life, is not in the pursuit of material possessions, but its to live in the pursuit of making positive differences to both other people and to the planet as a whole and if you can get others to do similar or the same, so much the better.

Click to expand...

The shot lacks contrast. Did you convert Vlog to REC709? If so, how did you do it?

bing041 said:

DNature said:

I have a S5II and just shot some video at HEVC 5.9K 420 in V-log. I was using a Panasonic 14-28mm lens and Nisi True Color Variable ND.

When I looked at the footage on my PC, it looks a bit soft and I would like to know what could be causing it. I was using manual focus and made sure everything was in focus before I took the footage.

I know V-Log has less sharpening than other profiles but, even so the footage looks a bit soft and lacking detail, even after adding a bit of sharpening in Premiere Pro.

I can't share the actual video as it is a bit large, so here is a screenshot of an unedited video. It was taken at 16mm f/9:



The lens seems fine as I have taken lots of photos with it and they are fine with sharpness, so I wondered if the variable ND filter I was using was causing a bit of softness and how would I know?

Also, at what aperture would I notice diffraction start to appear? I assumed at f/11 and narrower the image would start to show signs of softening a little.

I am getting a Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 lens and want to use it to take video at wider angles instead of the Panasonic 14-28mm.

Click to expand...

The shot lacks contrast. Did you convert Vlog to REC709? If so, how did you do it?

Click to expand...

It lacks contrast as it is unedited, straight from the camera. Here is a corrected version of the image.

I am using Premiere Pro 2025 and Lumetri Color. I used Leeming LUT as it has the most accurate colors I have seen. I had to increase the exposure as Leeming LUT is very dark by default, then increased the shadows, added a bit of saturation, corrected the white balance and added a bit of sharpness.

My settings. It is just a quick edit so not 100% how I would want it, but close enough to show a corrected image.:

LUT: LeemingLUT Pro 4 - Rec709 Pure - Panasonic - S V-Log

Saturation: 130
Exposure: 3
Contrast: 30
Shadows: 50
Sharpness: 20

I also used the color wheels to correct the white balance.



I wondered if the slight softness I am seeing is down to one of several things:

1. f/9-10 is past where the lens is sharp? I know every lens has a sweet spot where you have the most in focus while the image is still sharp so that will have an effect on the image.

2. Diffraction? Using https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/diffraction-photography.htm it says on a 24MP Full Frame sensor, diffraction starts to be noticeable at f/11 is that true? It doesn't show f/9 and f/10 so I wasn't sure if they might cause slight softness or not.

3. The Variable ND filter adding some softness?

What I wanted was an narrow enough aperture to get as much in focus for wide shots while still having a sharp image.

I won't be able to do tests for a few days, but I'll have to test the lens at different apertures with the filter and the same 5.9K to see if it was the aperture making the image a little soft or the aperture I was using. I'll also test another picture profile that is sharper by default.

--
If find that the best way to live life, is not in the pursuit of material possessions, but its to live in the pursuit of making positive differences to both other people and to the planet as a whole and if you can get others to do similar or the same, so much the better.

DNature said:

bing041 said:

DNature said:

I have a S5II and just shot some video at HEVC 5.9K 420 in V-log. I was using a Panasonic 14-28mm lens and Nisi True Color Variable ND.

When I looked at the footage on my PC, it looks a bit soft and I would like to know what could be causing it. I was using manual focus and made sure everything was in focus before I took the footage.

I know V-Log has less sharpening than other profiles but, even so the footage looks a bit soft and lacking detail, even after adding a bit of sharpening in Premiere Pro.

I can't share the actual video as it is a bit large, so here is a screenshot of an unedited video. It was taken at 16mm f/9:



The lens seems fine as I have taken lots of photos with it and they are fine with sharpness, so I wondered if the variable ND filter I was using was causing a bit of softness and how would I know?

Also, at what aperture would I notice diffraction start to appear? I assumed at f/11 and narrower the image would start to show signs of softening a little.

I am getting a Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 lens and want to use it to take video at wider angles instead of the Panasonic 14-28mm.

Click to expand...

The shot lacks contrast. Did you convert Vlog to REC709? If so, how did you do it?

Click to expand...

It lacks contrast as it is unedited, straight from the camera. Here is a corrected version of the image.

I am using Premiere Pro 2025 and Lumetri Color. I used Leeming LUT as it has the most accurate colors I have seen. I had to increase the exposure as Leeming LUT is very dark by default, then increased the shadows, added a bit of saturation, corrected the white balance and added a bit of sharpness.

My settings. It is just a quick edit so not 100% how I would want it, but close enough to show a corrected image.:

LUT: LeemingLUT Pro 4 - Rec709 Pure - Panasonic - S V-Log

Saturation: 130
Exposure: 3
Contrast: 30
Shadows: 50
Sharpness: 20

I also used the color wheels to correct the white balance.



I wondered if the slight softness I am seeing is down to one of several things:

1. f/9-10 is past where the lens is sharp? I know every lens has a sweet spot where you have the most in focus while the image is still sharp so that will have an effect on the image.

2. Diffraction? Using https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/diffraction-photography.htm it says on a 24MP Full Frame sensor, diffraction starts to be noticeable at f/11 is that true? It doesn't show f/9 and f/10 so I wasn't sure if they might cause slight softness or not.

3. The Variable ND filter adding some softness?

What I wanted was an narrow enough aperture to get as much in focus for wide shots while still having a sharp image.

I won't be able to do tests for a few days, but I'll have to test the lens at different apertures with the filter and the same 5.9K to see if it was the aperture making the image a little soft or the aperture I was using. I'll also test another picture profile that is sharper by default.

Click to expand...

Your frame grab still lacks contrast, which can make the scene look soft (although it does look soft too). Here is a video I shot in 5.9K using the same Lumix lens in V Log with a variable ND filter:



I used the EXACT color transform from V Log to REC709 in daVinci Resolve, with a slight touch of sharpness (sharpness was set to low in the camera). Probably mostly shot at f8. It is highly unlikely that shooting at f9 or f10 would result in your low contrast maybe soft frame.

Open gate 5.9K with same lens, V Log:



Your clip is too soft to be caused by the lens at any aperture.

bing041 said:

DNature said:

bing041 said:

DNature said:

I have a S5II and just shot some video at HEVC 5.9K 420 in V-log. I was using a Panasonic 14-28mm lens and Nisi True Color Variable ND.

When I looked at the footage on my PC, it looks a bit soft and I would like to know what could be causing it. I was using manual focus and made sure everything was in focus before I took the footage.

I know V-Log has less sharpening than other profiles but, even so the footage looks a bit soft and lacking detail, even after adding a bit of sharpening in Premiere Pro.

I can't share the actual video as it is a bit large, so here is a screenshot of an unedited video. It was taken at 16mm f/9:



The lens seems fine as I have taken lots of photos with it and they are fine with sharpness, so I wondered if the variable ND filter I was using was causing a bit of softness and how would I know?

Also, at what aperture would I notice diffraction start to appear? I assumed at f/11 and narrower the image would start to show signs of softening a little.

I am getting a Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 lens and want to use it to take video at wider angles instead of the Panasonic 14-28mm.

Click to expand...

The shot lacks contrast. Did you convert Vlog to REC709? If so, how did you do it?

Click to expand...

It lacks contrast as it is unedited, straight from the camera. Here is a corrected version of the image.

I am using Premiere Pro 2025 and Lumetri Color. I used Leeming LUT as it has the most accurate colors I have seen. I had to increase the exposure as Leeming LUT is very dark by default, then increased the shadows, added a bit of saturation, corrected the white balance and added a bit of sharpness.

My settings. It is just a quick edit so not 100% how I would want it, but close enough to show a corrected image.:

LUT: LeemingLUT Pro 4 - Rec709 Pure - Panasonic - S V-Log

Saturation: 130
Exposure: 3
Contrast: 30
Shadows: 50
Sharpness: 20

I also used the color wheels to correct the white balance.



I wondered if the slight softness I am seeing is down to one of several things:

1. f/9-10 is past where the lens is sharp? I know every lens has a sweet spot where you have the most in focus while the image is still sharp so that will have an effect on the image.

2. Diffraction? Using https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/diffraction-photography.htm it says on a 24MP Full Frame sensor, diffraction starts to be noticeable at f/11 is that true? It doesn't show f/9 and f/10 so I wasn't sure if they might cause slight softness or not.

3. The Variable ND filter adding some softness?

What I wanted was an narrow enough aperture to get as much in focus for wide shots while still having a sharp image.

I won't be able to do tests for a few days, but I'll have to test the lens at different apertures with the filter and the same 5.9K to see if it was the aperture making the image a little soft or the aperture I was using. I'll also test another picture profile that is sharper by default.

Click to expand...

Your frame grab still lacks contrast, which can make the scene look soft (although it does look soft too). Here is a video I shot in 5.9K using the same Lumix lens in V Log with a variable ND filter:
I used the EXACT color transform from V Log to REC709 in daVinci Resolve, with a slight touch of sharpness (sharpness was set to low in the camera). Probably mostly shot at f8. It is highly unlikely that shooting at f9 or f10 would result in your low contrast maybe soft frame.

Open gate 5.9K with same lens, V Log:
Your clip is too soft to be caused by the lens at any aperture.

Click to expand...

Thanks. Your footage is defiantly looking sharper than mine with better contrast.

I have taken multiple videos at a few different apertures and all have similar softer look to them I am thinking it could be the True Color Variable ND I am using that might be causing the issue.

Which Variable ND did you use for those videos?

--

If find that the best way to live life, is not in the pursuit of material possessions, but its to live in the pursuit of making positive differences to both other people and to the planet as a whole and if you can get others to do similar or the same, so much the better.

DNature said:

bing041 said:

DNature said:

bing041 said:

DNature said:

I have a S5II and just shot some video at HEVC 5.9K 420 in V-log. I was using a Panasonic 14-28mm lens and Nisi True Color Variable ND.

When I looked at the footage on my PC, it looks a bit soft and I would like to know what could be causing it. I was using manual focus and made sure everything was in focus before I took the footage.

I know V-Log has less sharpening than other profiles but, even so the footage looks a bit soft and lacking detail, even after adding a bit of sharpening in Premiere Pro.

I can't share the actual video as it is a bit large, so here is a screenshot of an unedited video. It was taken at 16mm f/9:



The lens seems fine as I have taken lots of photos with it and they are fine with sharpness, so I wondered if the variable ND filter I was using was causing a bit of softness and how would I know?

Also, at what aperture would I notice diffraction start to appear? I assumed at f/11 and narrower the image would start to show signs of softening a little.

I am getting a Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 lens and want to use it to take video at wider angles instead of the Panasonic 14-28mm.

Click to expand...

The shot lacks contrast. Did you convert Vlog to REC709? If so, how did you do it?

Click to expand...

It lacks contrast as it is unedited, straight from the camera. Here is a corrected version of the image.

I am using Premiere Pro 2025 and Lumetri Color. I used Leeming LUT as it has the most accurate colors I have seen. I had to increase the exposure as Leeming LUT is very dark by default, then increased the shadows, added a bit of saturation, corrected the white balance and added a bit of sharpness.

My settings. It is just a quick edit so not 100% how I would want it, but close enough to show a corrected image.:

LUT: LeemingLUT Pro 4 - Rec709 Pure - Panasonic - S V-Log

Saturation: 130
Exposure: 3
Contrast: 30
Shadows: 50
Sharpness: 20

I also used the color wheels to correct the white balance.



I wondered if the slight softness I am seeing is down to one of several things:

1. f/9-10 is past where the lens is sharp? I know every lens has a sweet spot where you have the most in focus while the image is still sharp so that will have an effect on the image.

2. Diffraction? Using https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/diffraction-photography.htm it says on a 24MP Full Frame sensor, diffraction starts to be noticeable at f/11 is that true? It doesn't show f/9 and f/10 so I wasn't sure if they might cause slight softness or not.

3. The Variable ND filter adding some softness?

What I wanted was an narrow enough aperture to get as much in focus for wide shots while still having a sharp image.

I won't be able to do tests for a few days, but I'll have to test the lens at different apertures with the filter and the same 5.9K to see if it was the aperture making the image a little soft or the aperture I was using. I'll also test another picture profile that is sharper by default.

Click to expand...

Your frame grab still lacks contrast, which can make the scene look soft (although it does look soft too). Here is a video I shot in 5.9K using the same Lumix lens in V Log with a variable ND filter:
I used the EXACT color transform from V Log to REC709 in daVinci Resolve, with a slight touch of sharpness (sharpness was set to low in the camera). Probably mostly shot at f8. It is highly unlikely that shooting at f9 or f10 would result in your low contrast maybe soft frame.

Open gate 5.9K with same lens, V Log:
Your clip is too soft to be caused by the lens at any aperture.

Click to expand...

Thanks. Your footage is defiantly looking sharper than mine with better contrast.
I have taken multiple videos at a few different apertures and all have similar softer look to them I am thinking it could be the True Color Variable ND I am using that might be causing the issue.
Which Variable ND did you use for those videos?

Click to expand...

K&F Concept .

DNature said:

bing041 said:

DNature said:

bing041 said:

DNature said:

I have a S5II and just shot some video at HEVC 5.9K 420 in V-log. I was using a Panasonic 14-28mm lens and Nisi True Color Variable ND.

When I looked at the footage on my PC, it looks a bit soft and I would like to know what could be causing it. I was using manual focus and made sure everything was in focus before I took the footage.

I know V-Log has less sharpening than other profiles but, even so the footage looks a bit soft and lacking detail, even after adding a bit of sharpening in Premiere Pro.

I can't share the actual video as it is a bit large, so here is a screenshot of an unedited video. It was taken at 16mm f/9:



The lens seems fine as I have taken lots of photos with it and they are fine with sharpness, so I wondered if the variable ND filter I was using was causing a bit of softness and how would I know?

Also, at what aperture would I notice diffraction start to appear? I assumed at f/11 and narrower the image would start to show signs of softening a little.

I am getting a Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 lens and want to use it to take video at wider angles instead of the Panasonic 14-28mm.

Click to expand...

The shot lacks contrast. Did you convert Vlog to REC709? If so, how did you do it?

Click to expand...

It lacks contrast as it is unedited, straight from the camera. Here is a corrected version of the image.

I am using Premiere Pro 2025 and Lumetri Color. I used Leeming LUT as it has the most accurate colors I have seen. I had to increase the exposure as Leeming LUT is very dark by default, then increased the shadows, added a bit of saturation, corrected the white balance and added a bit of sharpness.

My settings. It is just a quick edit so not 100% how I would want it, but close enough to show a corrected image.:

LUT: LeemingLUT Pro 4 - Rec709 Pure - Panasonic - S V-Log

Saturation: 130
Exposure: 3
Contrast: 30
Shadows: 50
Sharpness: 20

I also used the color wheels to correct the white balance.



I wondered if the slight softness I am seeing is down to one of several things:

1. f/9-10 is past where the lens is sharp? I know every lens has a sweet spot where you have the most in focus while the image is still sharp so that will have an effect on the image.

2. Diffraction? Using https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/diffraction-photography.htm it says on a 24MP Full Frame sensor, diffraction starts to be noticeable at f/11 is that true? It doesn't show f/9 and f/10 so I wasn't sure if they might cause slight softness or not.

3. The Variable ND filter adding some softness?

What I wanted was an narrow enough aperture to get as much in focus for wide shots while still having a sharp image.

I won't be able to do tests for a few days, but I'll have to test the lens at different apertures with the filter and the same 5.9K to see if it was the aperture making the image a little soft or the aperture I was using. I'll also test another picture profile that is sharper by default.

Click to expand...

Your frame grab still lacks contrast, which can make the scene look soft (although it does look soft too). Here is a video I shot in 5.9K using the same Lumix lens in V Log with a variable ND filter:
I used the EXACT color transform from V Log to REC709 in daVinci Resolve, with a slight touch of sharpness (sharpness was set to low in the camera). Probably mostly shot at f8. It is highly unlikely that shooting at f9 or f10 would result in your low contrast maybe soft frame.

Open gate 5.9K with same lens, V Log:
Your clip is too soft to be caused by the lens at any aperture.

Click to expand...

Thanks. Your footage is defiantly looking sharper than mine with better contrast.
I have taken multiple videos at a few different apertures and all have similar softer look to them I am thinking it could be the True Color Variable ND I am using that might be causing the issue.
Which Variable ND did you use for those videos?

--

If find that the best way to live life, is not in the pursuit of material possessions, but its to live in the pursuit of making positive differences to both other people and to the planet as a whole and if you can get others to do similar or the same, so much the better.

Click to expand...

Bing is right, even the edited picture is kind of grey. Adding more contrast results in sharper image.




The histogram show that their is no very dark or bright parts in this image.




I only added a lot of contrast go this image. Absolute sharpness is the same, but with added contrast you make it look sharper. Black and white next to each other looks sharper than dark and light grey.

Nazpharoz said:

DNature said:

bing041 said:

DNature said:

bing041 said:

DNature said:

I have a S5II and just shot some video at HEVC 5.9K 420 in V-log. I was using a Panasonic 14-28mm lens and Nisi True Color Variable ND.

When I looked at the footage on my PC, it looks a bit soft and I would like to know what could be causing it. I was using manual focus and made sure everything was in focus before I took the footage.

I know V-Log has less sharpening than other profiles but, even so the footage looks a bit soft and lacking detail, even after adding a bit of sharpening in Premiere Pro.

I can't share the actual video as it is a bit large, so here is a screenshot of an unedited video. It was taken at 16mm f/9:



The lens seems fine as I have taken lots of photos with it and they are fine with sharpness, so I wondered if the variable ND filter I was using was causing a bit of softness and how would I know?

Also, at what aperture would I notice diffraction start to appear? I assumed at f/11 and narrower the image would start to show signs of softening a little.

I am getting a Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 lens and want to use it to take video at wider angles instead of the Panasonic 14-28mm.

Click to expand...

The shot lacks contrast. Did you convert Vlog to REC709? If so, how did you do it?

Click to expand...

It lacks contrast as it is unedited, straight from the camera. Here is a corrected version of the image.

I am using Premiere Pro 2025 and Lumetri Color. I used Leeming LUT as it has the most accurate colors I have seen. I had to increase the exposure as Leeming LUT is very dark by default, then increased the shadows, added a bit of saturation, corrected the white balance and added a bit of sharpness.

My settings. It is just a quick edit so not 100% how I would want it, but close enough to show a corrected image.:

LUT: LeemingLUT Pro 4 - Rec709 Pure - Panasonic - S V-Log

Saturation: 130
Exposure: 3
Contrast: 30
Shadows: 50
Sharpness: 20

I also used the color wheels to correct the white balance.



I wondered if the slight softness I am seeing is down to one of several things:

1. f/9-10 is past where the lens is sharp? I know every lens has a sweet spot where you have the most in focus while the image is still sharp so that will have an effect on the image.

2. Diffraction? Using https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/diffraction-photography.htm it says on a 24MP Full Frame sensor, diffraction starts to be noticeable at f/11 is that true? It doesn't show f/9 and f/10 so I wasn't sure if they might cause slight softness or not.

3. The Variable ND filter adding some softness?

What I wanted was an narrow enough aperture to get as much in focus for wide shots while still having a sharp image.

I won't be able to do tests for a few days, but I'll have to test the lens at different apertures with the filter and the same 5.9K to see if it was the aperture making the image a little soft or the aperture I was using. I'll also test another picture profile that is sharper by default.

Click to expand...

Your frame grab still lacks contrast, which can make the scene look soft (although it does look soft too). Here is a video I shot in 5.9K using the same Lumix lens in V Log with a variable ND filter:
I used the EXACT color transform from V Log to REC709 in daVinci Resolve, with a slight touch of sharpness (sharpness was set to low in the camera). Probably mostly shot at f8. It is highly unlikely that shooting at f9 or f10 would result in your low contrast maybe soft frame.

Open gate 5.9K with same lens, V Log:
Your clip is too soft to be caused by the lens at any aperture.

Click to expand...

Thanks. Your footage is defiantly looking sharper than mine with better contrast.
I have taken multiple videos at a few different apertures and all have similar softer look to them I am thinking it could be the True Color Variable ND I am using that might be causing the issue.
Which Variable ND did you use for those videos?

Click to expand...

Bing is right, even the edited picture is kind of grey. Adding more contrast results in sharper image.


The histogram show that their is no very dark or bright parts in this image.


I only added a lot of contrast go this image. Absolute sharpness is the same, but with added contrast you make it look sharper. Black and white next to each other looks sharper than dark and light grey.

Click to expand...

I had some free time so did a few short tests using a tripod. I took photos with the filter on and off with flat profile at f/8, f/9 and f/10 using flat profile.

Here is an unedited photo with the Nisi true color filter on at f/10. It looks fine. I took this in raw and just exported it as a jpeg:


Panasonic LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO lens, Flat Profile, Nisi True Color Variable ND filter, 14mm, ISO 640, f/10, 1/125 sec

I also took some videos both in v-log and flat with the filter on. The flat videos looked fine, but the v-log looked softer. I know V-log by default has less sharpening and I leave the sharpness at 0 in the camera.

After editing some of my videos I took in 5.9K v-log and adding a bit more sharpness and contrast, they do look better and sharper. I think the filter is fine, I just need to work on my editing skills.

Also, after using the Panasonic 14-28mm f/4-5.6 lens for well over a year, I don't think it is that sharp, especially in the edges and I have noticed that mine can lose some contrast if the sun is in one side of the image.

I am getting the Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 contemporary lens and from reviews I have seen about it, it does look like its sharper so that should help improve the sharpness and contrast in my videos and wide angle photos.



--
If find that the best way to live life, is not in the pursuit of material possessions, but its to live in the pursuit of making positive differences to both other people and to the planet as a whole and if you can get others to do similar or the same, so much the better.