My Thoughts on Dehancer for Color Grading

Transitioning to Dehancer for my color grading workflow in Final Cut Pro has been a rewarding experience. As a street photographer using FujiFilm, I’ve traditionally leaned into Fuji’s in-camera film simulations, letting the camera handle color profiles right out of the box. While that approach delivers great results for standard shooting, it often restricts post-production flexibility, especially when I’m aiming for a particular look or feel in my work. With Dehancer, I decided to push my process further by shooting in F-Log2, giving myself much more room to manipulate colors, contrast, and textures after the fact. Here’s my take on how Dehancer changed my workflow and the additional perks it offers for mobile creators.

An example of a video I color graded using Dehancer

Key Benefits of Using Dehancer

Expanded Grading Options with F-Log2

Shooting in F-Log2 paired with Dehancer opened up a whole new world of grading possibilities. The log profile captures a much wider dynamic range than any baked-in Fuji color profile, which means I’m working with footage that has the depth to support nuanced color adjustments.

Dehancer is particularly effective with log profiles because it has precise controls for tonal adjustment and color fidelity. I found myself able to recreate vintage film aesthetics with Dehancer that would be almost impossible using Fuji’s native color profiles alone.

Authentic Film Look

Dehancer is known for its authentic film emulation, and that reputation holds up. The program offers a vast library of film stocks, complete with grain, bloom, and halation effects. It’s not just about adding a film “filter”; each stock has unique color characteristics, from faded tones to rich contrast.

For my footage, I wanted something reminiscent of older film stock, and Dehancer delivered in spades. The grain options feel organic rather than digitally imposed, adding texture without overwhelming the frame. The bloom and halation effects are also thoughtfully implemented, helping to recreate the softer, more forgiving quality of traditional film.

Streamlined Workflow in Final Cut Pro

I edit all my videos in Final cut and itegrating Dehancer into Final Cut Pro has been seamless. I can apply the effect directly to my clips within the software, adjust the parameters, and quickly preview the changes in real-time.

This integration made it much easier to keep a consistent look throughout my footage. Instead of constantly exporting and re-importing clips, I can make my adjustments right within Final Cut, which saves a lot of time and keeps me in the creative flow.

Dehancer’s iPhone App

Potential for Mobile Filmmakers:

Dehancer also offers an iPhone app designed to emulate film looks for mobile videos and photos. While it’s not as robust as the desktop version, I think it has real potential for those looking to get a similar aesthetic on the go.

The app gives mobile content creators a chance to achieve that vintage film look without diving deep into desktop editing. For social media posts or quick creative projects, it provides a lot of value in a small package. It’s not quite at the level of its Final Cut counterpart, but it’s a promising tool, and I’m excited to see where it goes.

Room for Improvement

While I’m thoroughly impressed with Dehancer, there are a few areas that could be fine-tuned:

Learning Curve

It does have a bit of a learning curve, especially for those used to in-camera color profiles. Getting used to the intricacies of film emulation and making the best use of each control takes some time. But the payoff in control and quality is worth the initial effort.

Processing Speed

The effects are intensive, and rendering can take a bit longer than usual, especially on older systems. However, the results speak for themselves, so I’m happy to wait a little extra for the quality it delivers.

Final Thoughts

Dehancer has changed the way I approach my color grading and filming flow. By shooting in F-Log2 and grading with Dehancer, I can create much more complex and visually striking looks than before. The flexibility and depth it adds to Final Cut Pro make it a powerful tool for filmmakers looking for authentic film emulation.