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LUT strength on Lumix: when 40%, when 100%, when V-Log

The LookCraft .cube file is the look. Strength in MY PHOTO STYLE decides whether it sits honestly or sticks like a filter. Here is my workflow on S9, S5II and GH7.

What strength actually does

In MY PHOTO STYLE the camera mixes the image without the LUT and the full cube. 100% means the table applies completely. 40% means you keep more of the standard profile and take only part of the look.

This is not a desktop editing slider. It is the mix in the viewfinder before JPEG and HEIF are written.

My starting point: 40–60%

In daylight, on skin and on travel I almost always start under 60%. Skin-Natural-Daylight, Europe-Classic-Chrome and Munich-Night-Natural look finished that way without screaming mids.

When the scene is already strong — hard sun, neon, wet asphalt — 35–45% is often enough. The LUT should lead, not shout.

When 100% makes sense

Full strength on clear looks built for it: Europe-Summer-Print, Munich-Red-Sign, BW-High-Contrast. Those should snap.

Vintage looks like Europe-Epoca or Europe-Nordic-Fade at 100% only when the light is flat. In golden hour you quickly get too much print patina.

Real-Time LUT or V-Log without LUT?

Real-Time LUT when the picture has to go out: street, travel, social, fast delivery. You see the look, you save the look.

V-Log without LUT when the same clip or RAW must stay free later — clients who still grade, or extreme mixed light you do not want locked in the viewfinder.

LookCraft cubes sit on Rec.709/Standard. On V-Log apply Panasonic CST first, or the table sits on the log signal.

Two slots instead of one compromise

Load the same cube twice: once at 45%, once at 100%. Compare in the viewfinder, then shoot. Faster than arguing afterwards.

  • C1: everyday LUT at 45% — skin, travel, city by day
  • C2: the same LUT at 100% — only when the subject can carry the full look
  • C3: a second LUT for night or B&W, with its own strength

What I do not do

No LUT on V-Log without CST. No 100% skin LUT in mixed window-and-bulb light. No neon LUT at 100% on faces under LED.

And I do not grade "a little more" afterwards when the JPEG already has the look. Either viewfinder look or log flexibility — not half of both.

Our top picks

  1. Lumix S9 Starter Pack Lumix S9 Starter Pack · 14,90 €

    Five looks to test strength: skin, Chrome, Golden-70, night, Berlin-400.

  2. Portrait Skin Pack Portrait Skin Pack · 19,90 €

    Strength matters most here — skin rarely forgives 100%.

  3. Analog Europe Pack Analog Europe Pack · 21,90 €

    Vintage looks: higher in flat light, closer to 40–50% in sun.

  4. Lumix Master Bundle Lumix Master Bundle · 49,90 €

    All 21 looks if you want day, night, skin and B&W with their own strengths.

FAQ

What LUT strength should I start with on Lumix?

40–60% for skin and daylight. 100% only on looks that are meant to be hard or neon, and when the light plays along.

Can I use a Real-Time LUT and V-Log at the same time?

The LUT sits on the profile in MY PHOTO STYLE. For maximum flexibility later: also record V-Log without LUT, or RAW alongside JPEG.

Why does the LUT look milky or too white?

Strength is often too high on a look with print patina, or V-Log without Color Space Transform. Lower strength or set CST.

See Lumix LUTs →

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