Use an Apple Log to Rec.709 LUT in Blackmagic Camera

The short answer

Apple Log preserves highlight and shadow detail but looks flat. A technical LUT gives Blackmagic Camera a normal Rec.709 preview for judging exposure, contrast, and color without adding a creative style.

Technical LUT: Apple Log -> neutral Rec.709.
Creative LUT: neutral Rec.709 -> a styled look.

This guide uses only the technical LUT. Display and Record describe how it is applied, not what it does.

Use the Luma Dune 33-point technical LUT that matches your recording profile: Apple Log or Apple Log 2. Blackmagic Camera supports 17-point and 33-point 3D LUTs, making 33-point the compatible high-detail choice. For the safest workflow, turn on Display LUT and leave Record LUT to Clip off. Your recorded file stays in Log for editing later.

Before you start

First, check the Log format selected in Blackmagic Camera. Apple Log and Apple Log 2 use different transforms, so their LUTs are not interchangeable.

Download the free Apple Log and Apple Log 2 to Rec.709 LUTs, select the profile used for recording, and choose 33-point. Save the .cube file in the Files app or another folder Blackmagic Camera can open.

Keep the 65-point download for compatible desktop finishing software.

Import and use the LUT in five steps

1. Open Blackmagic Camera settings. Tap the settings icon, then find the LUTs section. Menu placement can move between app versions, but the controls are named Display LUT, LUT Selection, and Record LUT to Clip.
2. Import the file. Open LUT Selection, choose Import LUT, and browse to the technical .cube file you saved. If iOS asks for file access, allow access to the selected file.
3. Select the technical LUT. Choose the Apple Log or Apple Log 2 to Rec.709 LUT that matches the recording profile. A wrong profile may still produce a colorful image, but color and highlights will not be converted correctly.
4. Turn on Display LUT. Return to the camera view and confirm that the image now has normal Rec.709 contrast and saturation. Toggle Display LUT off and on once if you want to compare the flat Log signal with the monitored result.
5. Check Record LUT to Clip. Leave it off when you want an untouched Log recording for post-production. Record a short test, reopen it, and confirm that your intended monitoring and recording behavior are working before an important shoot.

Blackmagic Design documents 17-point and 33-point LUT support, LUT import and selection, Display LUT, and Record LUT to Clip in the Blackmagic Camera product information.

Display LUT or Record LUT to Clip?

These settings sound similar but do different jobs.

Display LUT changes the preview you see while shooting. It makes flat Apple Log easier to judge, while the recorded clip can remain Log. This is the better default when you plan to color-correct or grade later.

Record LUT to Clip records the technical Rec.709 conversion into the clip. That can be convenient when you need a quick Rec.709 result, but it removes much of the flexibility that made you choose Log in the first place. Leave it off unless you deliberately want the conversion in the delivered recording and have tested that workflow.

After shooting, normalize the original Log clip once in your editor. Follow the Premiere Pro guide or the DaVinci Resolve guide. Do not add another technical conversion if the LUT was already recorded into the clip or your editor has normalized it automatically.

Want a creative look?

Normalize the Log clip once, then apply a creative LUT in your editor. Do not apply a Rec.709 creative LUT directly to original Apple Log footage. Explore the upcoming Apple Log Creative LUT Starter Pack.

Common problems

• The technical LUT file is unavailable: confirm that you downloaded the 33-point .cube file and that it is visible in the Files app.
• The preview is still flat: make sure the imported LUT is selected and Display LUT is on.
• The image looks too contrasty or saturated: check that Apple Log and Apple Log 2 were not mixed up. Also look for a second Rec.709 conversion.
• The saved clip looks different from the preview: check Record LUT to Clip. Display-only monitoring and a recorded LUT intentionally produce different files.

Frequently asked questions

Does Display LUT change my Apple Log recording?

Not when Display LUT is used only for monitoring and Record LUT to Clip remains off. Test a short clip because recording options can differ by device, codec, and app version.

Why should I choose the 33-point LUT?

Blackmagic Camera supports 17-point and 33-point 3D LUTs. The 33-point file is the recommended balance of compatibility and precision for this app.

Can I import the 65-point version?

Use the 33-point version for Blackmagic Camera. Keep the 65-point file for compatible desktop grading software.

Is this a cinematic LUT?

No. It is a technical conversion from Apple Log or Apple Log 2 to a neutral Rec.709 starting point. Add a creative look afterward if you want a particular mood.

Do I need to apply the LUT again in my editor?

Only if the recorded clip is still Log and your editor is not already converting it. Use one technical conversion: the matching LUT, a color-space transform, or automatic color management. Stacking two conversions usually creates excessive contrast and saturation.