Atomos announced that the Nikon Z 6II now shipping is readily available with output and recording of up to 4Kp30 ProRes RAW files when combined with the Atomos Ninja V HDR monitor-recorder.
The Z 6II mirrorless camera
The Z 6II is the latest full-frame mirrorless camera to join the Nikon family, inheriting the standout features from its predecessor the Z 6 along with some exciting new enhancements. These new features include the Dual EXPEED 6 image-processing engines for superior Eye-Detection AF and Animal-Detection AF, subject tracking, and more; as well as superior dust and drip resistance for use in harsh environments, along with expanded support for NIKKOR Z lenses now boasting support for 18 models including teleconverters. The continuous variety of lenses allows for greater flexibility when shooting in ProRes RAW.
The Z 6II when combined with Atomos Ninja V HDR monitor-recorder will output 4K UHD or full-HD 12-bit RAW. These features are now readily available with the Nikon Z 6II and Atomos Ninja V users will just need to update their monitor-recorder with the latest firmware available on the Atomos website.
The Ninja V benefit
The Ninja V allows users to accurately monitor the RAW signal on its daylight-viewable 5” 1000nit brightness HDR screen. Setup is simple when the camera is attached with perfectly tuned color settings applied automatically. Users can then view the RAW image accurately in HDR in a choice of HLG and PQ (HDR10) formats. The Ninja V offers touchscreen access to tools like waveforms, 1-1 magnification, and focus peaking, allowing them to perfect their RAW video. The Ninja V then records ProRes RAW data onto a removable AtomX SSDmini or other SSD drive. When shooting is complete the drive is removed and connected to a computer via USB for immediate offload and editing. The ability to incorporate social media frame guides with the Ninja V allows content creators to shoot social media content and ensure that it will always be properly composed and fit the range of different formats.
Nikon N-Log fully supported by Atomos
The Z 7, Z 6, Z 7II, and Z 6II cameras offer the ability to shoot video in N-Log, which is fully supported in the AtomHDR monitoring pipeline with the ability to add built-in 709 preview, custom 3D LUTs and LOG to HDR conversion for both monitoring and output. The Ninja V AtomOS 10.55 (available today) now adds the ability to monitor the RAW output as N-Log, to allow the use of existing N-Log 3D LUTs both on the Ninja but also in NLE applications where N-Log is now available as a RAW to Log conversion.
The continuous growth of ProRes RAW:
This announcement from Atomos continues the growth of ProRes RAW, with over 20 cameras supporting the Atomos and ProRes RAW combination, cementing its position as the industry standard for RAW video capture. ProRes RAW combines the visual and workflow benefits of RAW video with the incredible real-time performance of ProRes. The format gives filmmakers enormous latitude when adjusting the look of their images and extending brightness and shadow detail, making it ideal for HDR workflows. Both ProRes RAW, and the higher bandwidth, less compressed ProRes RAW HQ are supported. Manageable file sizes speed up and simplify file transfer, media management, and archiving. ProRes RAW is fully supported in Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Premiere Pro along with a collection of other apps including ASSIMILATE SCRATCH, Colorfront, FilmLight Baselight, and Grass Valley Edius.
Enhanced metadata, ISO and white balance coming soon – Update
As the ProRes RAW eco-system expands, creators are seeking more controls in their editing software. To further support the format, Nikon has also announced that they will provide a firmware update within 2020 for the current Z 7 and Z 6 to support the enhanced ISO/exposure compensation metadata for the new Final Cut Pro controls, which will also feature in an upcoming Adobe Premiere Pro update. The Z 7II and Z 6II will have these enhanced metadata features enabled in a camera firmware update early 2021.
ProRes RAW is now readily available with the Z 6II when combined with the Atomos Ninja V, as the camera is now shipping.
