Downloadable Files
You can download Phantom LUTs for Nikon Z8 & Z9 for free from the end of this page.
Bring ARRI-Inspired Color to Nikon N-Log Footage
The Nikon Z8 and Z9 are powerful cameras that produce highly detailed, flexible N-Log footage. But capturing a great image is only the first step. How you transform that footage into Rec.709 can greatly affect color, contrast, skin tones, highlights, and the overall cinematic character of the final image.
Phantom LUTs for Nikon Z8 & Z9 offer an alternative to standard Nikon 709 conversions, with LUTs designed specifically for Nikon Z8 and Z9 N-Log footage.
The main goal is to create a color response inspired by the ARRI Alexa 709 look while also offering several creative, film-inspired options. This makes the collection useful as both a finishing solution and a strong starting point for further color grading.
What Are Phantom LUTs?
Phantom LUTs are Rec.709 finishing LUTs designed to transform a camera's native Log footage into the Rec.709 color space while producing a finished visual character.
For the Nikon Z8 and Z9 collection, the primary emulation LUT was developed to reproduce the color science of the ARRI Alexa 709 LUT as closely as possible when working with Nikon N-Log footage.
Instead of simply converting a flat N-Log image into a conventional Rec.709 result, the LUT is intended to influence characteristics such as color response, saturation, luminance relationships, highlight behavior, and shadow rendering.
This can be especially useful when you want Nikon footage to sit closer to footage captured with an ARRI Alexa or simply want a more cinematic starting point for your grade.
Built Through Camera-to-Camera Testing
One of the most interesting aspects of Phantom LUTs for Nikon Z8 & Z9 is the development process behind the Alexa-inspired emulation.
The creator tested an ARRI Alexa Mini and Nikon Z8 side by side, recording exposure-matched footage under a wide variety of lighting conditions.
Tests included direct sunlight, open shade, overcast environments, indoor daylight, mixed lighting, and controlled studio setups. We also used X-Rite ColorChecker Classic and ColorChecker SG charts during testing.
We captured approximately 80 different scenes in total.
For each setup, three exposure levels were recorded:
Two stops underexposed
Correctly exposed
Two stops overexposed
This provided a broad dataset for studying how the two cameras respond to different colors, luminance levels, and exposure conditions.
More Than Basic Color Matching
Matching two cameras isn't simply a matter of shifting a few colors until the images look similar.
The Alexa-inspired emulation considers several characteristics that contribute to the distinctive rendering associated with ARRI cameras.
These include non-linear hue responses, especially with rich, complex colors, as well as subtractive color behavior tied to luminance and saturation.
We also considered highlight roll-off and shadow fall-off during development.
Together, these characteristics can create a smoother, more cinematic image while giving Nikon N-Log footage a different foundation for color grading than standard Nikon Rec.709 LUTs.
ARRI Alexa 709 Color Emulation
The centerpiece of the collection is a LUT developed to emulate the color science of an ARRI Alexa Mini when applied to Nikon Z8 and Z9 N-Log footage.
It is designed for users who want to bring their Nikon footage closer to an Alexa-inspired Rec.709 rendering or need a more cinematic base before beginning a detailed grade.
Designed Specifically for Nikon Z8 and Z9
These LUTs are designed around N-Log footage from the Nikon Z8 and Nikon Z9.
Because we developed the emulation using real Nikon Z8 footage alongside an ARRI Alexa Mini, the transformation targets the characteristics of Nikon N-Log rather than functioning as a generic creative LUT.
ARRI Look 5-Pack
The ARRI LUT collection includes the primary emulation LUT and four creative variations.
The five included looks are:
Neutral
Tungsten
Ice Blue
Jamaica
Utopia
Neutral provides the core Alexa-inspired direction, while the additional variations give you different creative starting points depending on the atmosphere and color character you want to create.
Film Look 6-Pack
For users who prefer a more nostalgic aesthetic, the collection also includes a separate Film Look 6-Pack.
These six LUTs are inspired by real film stocks from the past and are designed to give Nikon N-Log footage a film-like appearance.
The emulations are based on the creator's research and subjective impressions of the individual film stocks, making them creative interpretations rather than simple technical conversions.
11 LUTs in the Complete Bundle
The complete collection combines both groups into one package:
5 ARRI-inspired LUTs + 6 Film Look LUTs = 11 LUTs
This gives you both a modern Alexa-inspired workflow and more nostalgic film-inspired options within the same collection.
Where Can These LUTs Be Useful?
Phantom LUTs for Nikon Z8 & Z9 can fit naturally into many different types of video projects.
For example, imagine shooting a commercial or short film where some scenes are captured on a Nikon Z8 while other footage comes from an ARRI Alexa. The Alexa-inspired LUT can provide a useful starting point for bringing the Nikon footage toward a similar visual direction before performing more detailed shot matching.
For cinematic travel films, music videos, documentaries, portraits, and narrative projects, the creative ARRI variations can provide different moods without requiring you to build every look from scratch.
The Film Look LUTs are especially useful when you want more character in your footage rather than a purely clean digital look.
Tips for Better Results
For the most natural results, start with properly exposed and correctly white-balanced N-Log footage whenever possible. A LUT can transform color and tonal response, but it cannot completely compensate for poorly captured footage.
It is also useful to make fundamental corrections before or around the LUT, depending on your grading workflow. If a shot is significantly too bright, dark, warm, or cool, correcting those issues first can give the LUT a cleaner image to work with.
When matching Nikon footage with an ARRI camera, don't assume applying the LUT automatically creates a perfect camera match. Lighting, lenses, exposure, white balance, filtration, and shooting conditions can all affect the final image. Use the LUT as a strong foundation, then make shot-by-shot adjustments as needed.
For the Film Look LUTs, try different options rather than automatically choosing the strongest or most dramatic result. A subtler film-inspired treatment can often feel more believable, particularly for skin tones and natural environments.
Choose the Look That Fits the Story
One of the main advantages of having multiple LUTs is flexibility.
The Neutral ARRI-inspired look can work well when you want a balanced foundation with room for additional grading. The other ARRI variations can help push footage toward a more distinctive creative direction.
Meanwhile, the six Film Look LUTs provide another path entirely, focusing on nostalgic characteristics inspired by older film stocks.
Instead of forcing every project into the same visual style, you can choose a LUT based on the footage's mood and then fine-tune the result.
Final Thoughts
Phantom LUTs for Nikon Z8 & Z9 are designed for filmmakers and colorists who want more options when transforming Nikon N-Log footage into Rec.709.
Its Alexa-inspired emulation was developed through extensive side-by-side testing between a Nikon Z8 and ARRI Alexa Mini across approximately 80 scenes and multiple exposure levels. The collection then expands beyond the main emulation with four additional ARRI-inspired variations and six film-inspired looks.
Users can use these LUTs to achieve an appearance closer to ARRI Alexa from their Nikon footage, or to provide a more cinematic starting point for color grading. There are also several directions available for users interested in exploring film-like looks. You don't need to create a look from scratch.
Nikon Z8 and Z9 users regularly shooting in N-Log will find these LUTs to be a practical and flexible starting point from which to create a high-quality look while still allowing for a significant amount of creative input in the color grading process.
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