<p>True Log recording is not possible in iOS till date. There is no access to raw sensor data when it comes to shooting video on iOS. RAW is possible only when you click a picture, not video. I hope iPhone was fast enough to process 30 RAW pictures per second but right now it can't handle more than 3 per second. I hope iOS 12.0 offers developers better access to the sensor to shoot real LOG videos, i.e. when developers can apply gamma curve of their choice when A2D conversion takes place in Bayer array filter. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-09-23T08:31:11.653Z
LOG recording is now available on iPhone 15 Pro
raarts
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-29T20:03:45.350Z
2018-04-29T20:03:45.350Z
Deepak Sharma
<p>How I understand from this question "<a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/10593920/which-color-space-the-ios-devices-is-used">Which color space the iOS devices is used?</a>" iOS have only one accessable color space.</p>

<p>According to <a href="http://www.cnet.com/news/sorry-dng-iphone-app-wont-let-you-shoot-true-raw-photos/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this</a>, even RAW photos from iOS are not really RAW.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-29T15:36:58.240Z
In the first link, they're talking about the color space of the iPhone's display, not the color space of it's camera.  In the second part, I'm not really looking for RAW, I'm looking for log.  I'm not totally sure that just because developers don't seem to be able to produce RAW stills, that they couldn't produce log video, if they tried.  Maybe you're right, but I'd need a little more explanation in your answer before I upvote.
Jason Conrad
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-20T00:07:16.327Z
2015-09-20T00:07:16.327Z
2017-05-23T12:40:36.170Z
Shultc
<p>The iPhone display and camera are already in logarithmic color spaces. I think you are asking about linear color space. </p>

<p>I very much doubt that Apple allows direct access to the camera hardware. I haven't seen any apps that required it. </p>

<p>But even if you somehow could, you'd find that the conversion to sRGB/BT.709 is done in the camera hardware, as is the compression. And even if you could access the raw sensor, you'd find the data noisy and unwieldy. </p>

<p>So, no. Sorry. </p>

<p><strong>Added</strong>:
See:
<a href="https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/AVFoundation/Reference/AVCaptureDevice_Class/index.html#//apple_ref/occ/cl/AVCaptureDevice" rel="nofollow">https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/AVFoundation/Reference/AVCaptureDevice_Class/index.html#//apple_ref/occ/cl/AVCaptureDevice</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-09T20:16:47.277Z
No.  I'm asking about log color space.  Like Canon C-log, Sony S-log, or BMD Film.  Has any third party developed their own flavor?  I know Apple hasn't, or I wouldn't be asking.  And you're wrong about the camera and display being log.  They're closer to sRGB.  Again, if they were log, I wouldn't be asking.
Jason Conrad
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-09T22:52:02.577Z
What you are asking about is EOTF (gamma, PQ, HLG) and not color space. But the answer is the same.  The gamma defined in BT.709 isn't ideal for professionals, but we're stuck with it.
Michael Steinberg
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-10T15:47:26.357Z
What, exactly is that link supposed to show me?  There's no mention of color space, gamma, EOTF, PQ, HLG, BT.709, or any of the other terminology you've used.  I suspect your information is incorrect.  Please cite your claims.
Jason Conrad
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-10T21:26:44.197Z
@JasonConrad - the link is just pointing out what iOS makes available to developers for interacting with the camera.  It is extremely limited.
AJ Henderson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-10T22:08:14.670Z
I'm not a programmer, but it looks like some of those variables enable high dynamic range video recording, specifically, automaticallyAdjustsVideoHDREnabled and videoHDREnabled.  If the sensor can image a wide latitude, and the OS has variables which acknowledge it, it seems like it should be a matter of simple mathematical transformation of the data.  I'm looking for an authoritative answer.  If the answer is, "no, not possible", that's fine, but such an answer should include enough expertise and explanation to actually answer the question, not just point me to some arcane developer site.
Jason Conrad
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-07T19:31:51.583Z
2016-03-09T22:52:42.513Z
2016-03-09T22:52:42.513Z
Michael Steinberg
<p><a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/01/11/filmic-pro-log-profile-iphone-7-plus-color-graded/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">This announcement article dated January 11, 2017</a> indicates that there will be an upgrade to <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/filmic-pro/id436577167" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the app FiLMiC Pro</a> which may accommodate what you are looking for. Note that the FiLMic Pro App Store web page indicates the latest release is 12/23/2016 - I do not know when the update the article speaks of will be available:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The forthcoming update will introduce a new log mode that allows
  filmmakers to shoot videos with a flat picture profile containing
  additional stops of dynamic range.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Also check out <a href="http://www.filmicpro.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">FiLMic's website</a> - I couldn't find any details, but I was interested to read that they develop it with <a href="https://developer.apple.com/swift/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Apple's Swift language</a>.</p>

<p>Of note, they have apparently released a beta version for testing and demo of the LOG capture. Compare in particular the dark area of the dashboard in the lower left hand corner in this example of <a href="https://youtu.be/BnLkdxYCtRU" rel="nofollow noreferrer">source video</a> vs. the same <a href="https://youtu.be/et8-jtZauXM" rel="nofollow noreferrer">footage after grading</a> with BlackMagic Design's <a href="https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve" rel="nofollow noreferrer">DaVinci Resolve</a>. Disclaimer - these videos are from the article and the quality of the color grading vs youtube compression and such is relative. Also, as an example of the extra detail shooting this way may afford, note in the third shot, the shadow detail of the hat before and after.</p>

<p>Likely you don't need this information, but here is <a href="http://www.newsshooter.com/2015/07/27/looks-picture-profiles-luts-and-log-why-when-and-how-you-should-use-them/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">a recent article which provides a decent overview</a> of what it means to shoot in log color space , or, record a "flat color profile." Also, <a href="https://video.stackexchange.com/q/12199/17685">some related VideoSE Q&amp;A</a> about shooting considerations.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-12T20:39:10.623Z
I knew it would only be a matter of time after Apple started pushing "wide color."  Hopefully more options won't be far behind.  Thanks for the useful links, too.  There's some interesting stuff in there.
Jason Conrad
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-12T20:48:34.060Z
@JasonConrad some additional info about Apple and color profiles in this recent thread: http://apple.stackexchange.com/a/272068/216401
MmmHmm
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-12T10:29:07.327Z
2017-02-12T10:29:07.327Z
2017-04-13T12:46:08.110Z
MmmHmm
<p>Is there an app for iPhone or iPad that will let me record log color space video? It seems like with such an abundance of instagram-ish "filter" apps, developers probably have access to raw sensor data. Are there any apps designed to record it in a flat color profile for postproduction grading?</p>

<iphone><ipad><ios><color-grading><colorspace>
Do any iOS video apps record in log color space?
Jason Conrad
# Do any iOS video apps record in log color space?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-09-19)

Is there an app for iPhone or iPad that will let me record log color space video? It seems like with such an abundance of instagram-ish "filter" apps, developers probably have access to raw sensor data. Are there any apps designed to record it in a flat color profile for postproduction grading?

**Tags:** iphone, ipad, ios, color-grading, colorspace


---

## 4 answers

### Answer by username_6 on 2017-02-12. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

[This announcement article dated January 11, 2017](https://9to5mac.com/2017/01/11/filmic-pro-log-profile-iphone-7-plus-color-graded/) indicates that there will be an upgrade to [the app FiLMiC Pro](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/filmic-pro/id436577167) which may accommodate what you are looking for. Note that the FiLMic Pro App Store web page indicates the latest release is 12/23/2016 - I do not know when the update the article speaks of will be available:

> The forthcoming update will introduce a new log mode that allows
> filmmakers to shoot videos with a flat picture profile containing
> additional stops of dynamic range.

Also check out [FiLMic's website](http://www.filmicpro.com/) - I couldn't find any details, but I was interested to read that they develop it with [Apple's Swift language](https://developer.apple.com/swift/).

Of note, they have apparently released a beta version for testing and demo of the LOG capture. Compare in particular the dark area of the dashboard in the lower left hand corner in this example of [source video](https://youtu.be/BnLkdxYCtRU) vs. the same [footage after grading](https://youtu.be/et8-jtZauXM) with BlackMagic Design's [DaVinci Resolve](https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve). Disclaimer - these videos are from the article and the quality of the color grading vs youtube compression and such is relative. Also, as an example of the extra detail shooting this way may afford, note in the third shot, the shadow detail of the hat before and after.

Likely you don't need this information, but here is [a recent article which provides a decent overview](http://www.newsshooter.com/2015/07/27/looks-picture-profiles-luts-and-log-why-when-and-how-you-should-use-them/) of what it means to shoot in log color space , or, record a "flat color profile." Also, [some related VideoSE Q&A](https://video.stackexchange.com/q/12199/17685) about shooting considerations.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I knew it would only be a matter of time after Apple started pushing "wide color."  Hopefully more options won't be far behind.  Thanks for the useful links, too.  There's some interesting stuff in there.  
> **username_6**: @JasonConrad some additional info about Apple and color profiles in this recent thread: http://apple.stackexchange.com/a/272068/216401  

---

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-04-29. Score: 0

True Log recording is not possible in iOS till date. There is no access to raw sensor data when it comes to shooting video on iOS. RAW is possible only when you click a picture, not video. I hope iPhone was fast enough to process 30 RAW pictures per second but right now it can't handle more than 3 per second. I hope iOS 12.0 offers developers better access to the sensor to shoot real LOG videos, i.e. when developers can apply gamma curve of their choice when A2D conversion takes place in Bayer array filter.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: LOG recording is now available on iPhone 15 Pro  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2015-09-20. Score: 0

How I understand from this question "[Which color space the iOS devices is used?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/10593920/which-color-space-the-ios-devices-is-used)" iOS have only one accessable color space.

According to [this](http://www.cnet.com/news/sorry-dng-iphone-app-wont-let-you-shoot-true-raw-photos/), even RAW photos from iOS are not really RAW.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: In the first link, they're talking about the color space of the iPhone's display, not the color space of it's camera.  In the second part, I'm not really looking for RAW, I'm looking for log.  I'm not totally sure that just because developers don't seem to be able to produce RAW stills, that they couldn't produce log video, if they tried.  Maybe you're right, but I'd need a little more explanation in your answer before I upvote.  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2016-03-07. Score: 0

The iPhone display and camera are already in logarithmic color spaces. I think you are asking about linear color space.

I very much doubt that Apple allows direct access to the camera hardware. I haven't seen any apps that required it.

But even if you somehow could, you'd find that the conversion to sRGB/BT.709 is done in the camera hardware, as is the compression. And even if you could access the raw sensor, you'd find the data noisy and unwieldy.

So, no. Sorry.

**Added**:
See:
<https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/AVFoundation/Reference/AVCaptureDevice_Class/index.html#//apple_ref/occ/cl/AVCaptureDevice>

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: No.  I'm asking about log color space.  Like Canon C-log, Sony S-log, or BMD Film.  Has any third party developed their own flavor?  I know Apple hasn't, or I wouldn't be asking.  And you're wrong about the camera and display being log.  They're closer to sRGB.  Again, if they were log, I wouldn't be asking.  
> **username_4**: What you are asking about is EOTF (gamma, PQ, HLG) and not color space. But the answer is the same.  The gamma defined in BT.709 isn't ideal for professionals, but we're stuck with it.  
> **username_0**: What, exactly is that link supposed to show me?  There's no mention of color space, gamma, EOTF, PQ, HLG, BT.709, or any of the other terminology you've used.  I suspect your information is incorrect.  Please cite your claims.  
> **username_5**: @JasonConrad - the link is just pointing out what iOS makes available to developers for interacting with the camera.  It is extremely limited.  
> **username_0**: I'm not a programmer, but it looks like some of those variables enable high dynamic range video recording, specifically, automaticallyAdjustsVideoHDREnabled and videoHDREnabled.  If the sensor can image a wide latitude, and the OS has variables which acknowledge it, it seems like it should be a matter of simple mathematical transformation of the data.  I'm looking for an authoritative answer.  If the answer is, "no, not possible", that's fine, but such an answer should include enough expertise and explanation to actually answer the question, not just point me to some arcane developer site.  

---

