bYx Optics

Calibrite ColorChecker Passport Duo

In the past, when I used to record videos, I simply stuck with the default colour settings. However, starting in 2023, I began delving into colour grading. I’ve been experimenting with various colour profiles, including S-LOG3, HLG-3, and even pushing my GoPro to shoot in LOGB.

Before, I relied on a budget-friendly white balance card from Amazon. However, it posed challenges when it came to achieving accurate colour adjustments on the vectorscope, as the “white” and “grey” were not as accurate as they should have been.

Based on recommendations I found in web reviews and on YouTube, I decided to invest in the Calibrite ColorChecker Passport Duo, which can be used for both photography and videography. In 2023, this colour checker was quite pricey, costing over €200. However, during one of my Amazon browsing sessions, I stumbled upon a sale and managed to grab it for €185, including shipping – a welcome opportunity to save some money.

I put the ColorChecker Passport Duo to the test with videos recorded on my GoPro 11 and Sony ZV-1, as well as videos shot with my Sony α7 IV. Notably, my GoPro 11 was equipped with the GoPro Labs firmware, enabling me to record using a log curve to expand the dynamic range.

Following colour correction using Leeming LUT Pro III with the GoPro 11 in Wide Gamut log400 mode, I noticed that my skin appears somewhat lighter and has a brownish tone, which differs from the darker complexion I was aiming for. Additionally, the red rubber band now has a slightly orange hue.

Sony ZV-1 was set to HLG-3 colour profile.

*After colour grading in HLG-3, the overall colours appear quite natural. However, there’s a slight reddish tint to my skin tone.*

My next objective is to acquire the skills of colour grading to bring my footage closer to its original colours.

Travel Photography (Summer 2023)

On a trip for this summer 2023, I brought with me 24mm, 35mm and 50mm lenses. I tried to constraint the use to only 24mm and it works perfectly. If there’s only one lens I am permitted to bring, I’ll take that 24mm easily. Due to its small footprint, when it is on the camera, the entire system looks very discreet.

Some photos might have looked better with 35mm (my favourite focal length) while 50mm can make things pop better, especially with its macro function. But when going out for an excursion, there is a mix of things that you want to capture. The city, the street, the people, the food, the beaches and probably a half-body portrait. I find that 24mm has this versatility, despite my heart racing for 35mm. Having 24mm the entire time was also a wise decision.

When I was in Ibiza in the spring of 2023, I had with me 20mm F1.8 G. I found that this focal length is not versatile enough. It was just too wide for a subject close-up. So whenever I need to take photos of food and flowers, I have to switch to 35mm. However, 20mm was good for “selfies” and “vlogging” as I don’t have to stretch my arm that far.

This time around, I have the 24mm F2.8 G with me, it is just very light and snuggles nicely in my Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L V2. It was quick to take the camera out and then in again. I captured the landscape at its widest, foods at the restaurant at its closest and normal portraits without much distortion.

Sony α7R III and Sony FE 24mm F2.8 G (with Godox V1)

It might not be the best, but it works most of the time. Perhaps because it is small and light. However, this lens has its own drawback. While I like the colour coming out, it exerts barrel distortion, quite strongly I must admit.

Another camera that I used VERY often was GoPro Hero 11. I found a tweak using GoPro Labs to set the maximum shutter speed to avoid blurriness when in darker environments. So, the recordings are no longer jittery! In addition to the horizon lock setting, the footage came out like it was held on a gimbal. For the entire week, I have not used DJI Pocket 2 at all. It is one of my favourite pocket cameras as it has a built-in gimbal.

GoPro is quick (hence the name it carries with, action) and can be used where Sony can’t. Holding the camera outside of the car’s window while driving. Then taking it along when diving in the water. Enduro battery definitely has a longer life and having three of them has been really helpful. Another strong case for GoPro is that even a screen grab from its footage is sharp!

GoPro 11: A photo taken under the water.

GoPro 11: A screen grab from a 5.3K footage.

A drone, whilst it is not necessary but captures and yields different perspectives from a higher angle. I took along the DJI Mini 3 Pro. It was very light and easy to travel with.

DJI Mini 3 Pro: Another perspective of Cala Comte.

It seems like I have found my almost perfect and light travel setup. Only two cameras and three lenses!

Sony α7R III + GoPro Hero 11
Sony 24mm F2.8 G
Sony 35mm F1.4 GM
Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro

Ibiza,
Summer 2023.

2023: Will I Upgrade to GoPro 12?

It has been speculated that the new iteration will be released in September. But, will I upgrade?

I have upgraded my GoPro for every model since GoPro 7. I found that GoPro 11 is already solid and GoPro form factor is just perfect when recording while travelling. The only thing that will persuade me to upgrade to GoPro 12 is if it has at least a one-inch sensor or natively uses a linear lens (or perhaps a mod lens).

GoPro Hero11 Black has a 1/1.9″ sensor with dimensions of 6.40 ? 5.60 mm and sensor area of 35.84 mm?.

Update

The new version was released on September 6, 2023. From the look of it, I will NOT make an upgrade as most of the upgrades are on the internal software. Same processor and the same sensor.

Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T✻ FE 55mm F1.8 ZA

This is one of my favourite lenses for portrait photography and also for general photography. It is also quite compact and doesn’t leave a big footprint in my bag. I also like this lens due to its weight and I can handheld when recording videos.

I like this focal length more than the 35mm as the angle of view is a bit more “tight” hence reducing the surrounding “noise”. It also works fine for product photography when I could not quickly get the Sony FE 50mm F2.8 Macro.

But, I find that it is not a “fast” focussing lens. I missed a lot of shots because it was taking some time. But, the thing that I really dislike about this lens is the purple fringing (chromatic aberration). A very strong one even! Check the photo below and it was just annoying.

I like the bokeh produced from this lens. The subject and the plane separations are really good as well. I find that f/2.8 is the best aperture setting for my camera. But my interview video recording works nicely at f/1.8.

I acquired this lens in March 2022 and it is one that travelled with me the most and always is in my bag (even my I don’t plan to use it, you just don’t know when you might need it). But of course, 50mm GM F1.4 is on the list 🙂

Aperture range: f/1.8 to f/22
The angle of view: 43°
Minimum focus distance: 50 cm
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.14×
Filter size: 49 mm
Dimensions (ø × L): 64.4 × 70.5 mm
Weight: 281 g

GoPro Hero 11 Black

At one time (2023), I have had GoPro 7, 8, 9 and 10 at once. Then I decided to sell GoPro 8 and 9. Trying to sell GoPro 7 as well. Only been utilising GoPro 10. Then with the new sensor dimension and with the promise of a better HyperSmooth 5.0, I upgraded to GoPro 11 in May 2023 and sold my GoPro 10 in June.

I found that this model with the new Enduro battery lasts longer than the normal blue battery. The “QuikCapture” function is also snappy! This function allows you to turn on the GoPro and start recording immediately by pressing the record button. The subsequent press stops and turns the camera off. This function lets you capture a moment as soon as it happens.

It is an “action” camera and is meant to be. But, I am not really using this for the intended “action”. I found it useful as the lens has no moveable parts, therefore I can be quite rough with it. It is tiny, and can easily pack into my winter jacket. Also, it works great in waterproof housing and taking it under the water.

Despite my dislike for the distorted lens (fisheye), I have to live with it. I took videos in 8:7 resolution to avoid cropping and upscaling. Similar to photos! But still, from time to time, I’d switch to linear as editing videos/photos to remove the distortion just made the visual look even worse. When using 8:7 the only “lens” available is Wide, which is the native view. Other digital lenses like Linear are cropping at the centre and upscaling to match the set resolution.

GoPro processor has a better distortion “correction” when set to Linear, as neither Final Cut Pro nor Lightroom can correct the distortion similar to when using the Linear lens.

Dimensions (W×H×D)	71.8 × 50.8 × 33.6 mm
Weight	154 g
Image Sensor	1/1.9″ CMOS
Processor	GP2
Max Video Resolution	5.3K 8:7 (5,312 ? 4,648)
Colour	10-bit
Max Photo Resolution	27.13MP (5,568 ? 4,872) from previously 23MP
Battery Size	Enduro 1,720 mAh

GoPro Labs

With a faster processor and seems rather quick, I upgraded to GoPro Labs firmware. I have tested this before, but it slowed down my GoPro unit, hence restored to the original firmware.

I changed the bitrate to 190 Mbps, the maximum shutter speed to 1/200 per second, the file name to include the date and time and some other changes. So far, everything work is just perfect!

Leeming LUT

I have started exploring “Color Grading” using Final Cut Pro to grade my drone videos recorded in D-cinelike. Then I began to grade my videos which were recorded in “Flat” colour and “Native” white balance. The result was not amazing but I can see that I can improve myself and the look is just better than the “Natural” colour profile.

I explored YouTube looking at comments about Native white balance and stumbled upon a post and he recommended I check his post using Leeming LUT. Not long after, I was AUS$50 poorer. The file was sent to my email the next morning.

Left: Flat/AWB/Sharpness=Low/Noise Reduction=1/WIDE=1/LOGB=400.
Right: After Leeming LUT Pro III – GoPro 11 – Wide Gamut log400 has been applied.

Applying the Leeming LUT Pro Quickie – Neutral Film 102 gives more contrast and the colour looks almost natural.

It looks like I need to explore more and see if it is really worth spending for the LUT. Now, I missed the “vibrant” looking colour and the vibrant blue sky 🙂