LUT vs. Preset — which do you really need for your workflow?

In short

A LUT (Look-Up Table) is a color transform — often a .cube file. On the Lumix S9 you load it as a Real-Time LUT and see the look live in the viewfinder.

A preset would be a saved develop setting on the computer. LookCraft does not ship that. The look is a .cube file in the Lumix.

LookCraft no longer sells Fuji recipes. The Lumix look is a .cube file in a pack.

LUT — look in the camera

Ideal when you want straight out of camera delivery: travel, street, social, fast client previews. On Lumix S9, S5II and GH7 the look runs via MY PHOTO STYLE + V-Log L.

Upside: you see color while shooting. Less time in Lightroom. Downside: less room later — the look is already in the JPEG/HEIF.

• LookCraft examples: Portrait Skin, München Neon, Analog Europe (.cube)
• Best for: S9 creators who decide in the viewfinder
• Entry: Lumix S9 Starter Pack, €14.90

Preset — look on the computer

A Lightroom preset would sit on RAW on the computer. LookCraft does not sell that. If you want room later, save a RAW next to the JPEG.

LookCraft sells these looks as Lumix LUTs in packs. There is no matching Lightroom preset anymore.

• Current packs: Starter, Analog Europe, München Neon, Portrait Skin.
• Best for: RAW shooters, mixed light, later retouching
• Bundle: Lumix Master Bundle, 21 LUTs, €49.90

When to use which

Camera only, little laptop: Real-Time LUTs (Lumix) or film recipes (Fuji).

More room later: shoot JPEG with the LUT and RAW in parallel. You edit the RAW yourself if you need to.

Both: C1 Portrait Skin in the camera by day, and the RAW file later only if the viewfinder was not enough.

Not sure which look: Look Finder on lookcraft.de — short quiz, optional reference image.

Conclusion

LUT and preset are not rivals — they are two entry points into the same look. The S9 rewards Real-Time LUTs. RAW workflows reward presets. LookCraft builds both for the same moods: warm, neon, documentary, vintage.