DJI Air 3 LUT: D-Log M to Rec.709 color grading

DJI publishes an official LUT for the Air 3 called "DJI Air 3 D-Log M to Rec.709 V1," a .cube file you can download free from the Air 3 downloads page. Apply it to your D-Log M clips in DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro to turn flat log footage into normal-looking Rec.709 color.

What D-Log M is

D-Log M is the Air 3's 10-bit log color mode. It records a flat, low-contrast image that keeps more highlight and shadow detail than Normal color, which is 8-bit. Both the 24 mm wide and 70 mm medium tele cameras record D-Log M. You need H.265 for 10-bit, and ISO is limited to 100 to 1600 in D-Log M.

A LUT (look-up table) maps those flat values back to standard Rec.709 contrast and color, which is what most screens and web platforms expect.

How to apply the Air 3 LUT

DaVinci Resolve

Open Project Settings, then Color Management, and click Open LUT Folder. Copy the .cube file there and click Update Lists.
On the Color page, balance exposure and white balance on the first node.
Add a second node, right-click it, and choose the DJI Air 3 LUT from the LUT menu.

Premiere Pro

Open the Lumetri Color panel.
Under Basic Correction, choose Input LUT, then Browse, and select the .cube file.
Adjust exposure and white balance with the sliders below it.

Final Cut Pro

Add the Custom LUT effect to the clip.
In the Inspector, open the LUT menu, pick Choose Custom LUT, and select the .cube file.

Exposure tips for D-Log M

Expose correctly in camera. Log footage hides problems until you apply the LUT. Use the histogram and overexposure warning in DJI Fly.
Stay at ISO 100 when you can. Higher ISO adds noise that becomes visible after grading. In bright light, ND filters let you keep ISO 100 with a natural shutter speed.
Set a fixed white balance. Auto white balance can shift during a shot, which is hard to fix later.
Correct before the LUT. Make exposure and white balance changes before the LUT in your node or effect order, not after.

D-Log M vs HLG vs Normal on the Air 3

Mode	Bit depth	Best for
Normal	8-bit	Quick edits, no grading
HLG	10-bit	HDR playback on HDR-capable screens
D-Log M	10-bit	Color grading with a LUT

If you don't plan to grade, Normal or HLG saves time. If you match drone footage to another camera, D-Log M gives you the most control.

Which LUT file to use

Use the Air 3 file, not one from another drone. DJI makes separate D-Log M LUTs for the Air 3S, Mini 4 Pro, Flip and Avata 2, tuned to each camera. Third-party creative LUTs can work, but apply them after DJI's conversion LUT, not instead of it.

For camera settings to pair with this workflow, see our best Air 3 settings. Comparing models? Read Air 3 vs Air 3S or shop the DJI Air 3.