If you’ve ever opened your video project and thought, “Why doesn’t this look like the films I love?” — you’re not alone.
Many creators struggle with getting that warm, cinematic look. You try LUTs, tweak the contrast, add some grain… but something still feels off. The truth is, digital footage doesn’t naturally have the magic that old-school film brings. And faking it often doesn’t work.
That’s where Dehancer comes in.
This plugin claims to bring real film looks to your video and photo work. It promises a smoother color grade, more feeling in your footage, and tools that mimic real analog film — like halation, bloom, and film grain.
But is it really worth the price? And who is it actually for?
In this post, we’ll walk through what Dehancer does, how it works in apps like DaVinci Resolve, and who it makes sense for. I’ll also share some honest pros and cons from my own use — so you can decide if it’s the right tool for your workflow.
What is Dehancer and What Does It Actually Do?
Let’s start with the basics.
Dehancer is a plugin you can use in programs like DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Lightroom. It’s made to help you create the look and feel of real film inside your digital projects — both for video and photography.
That means:
- Over 60 different film stocks to choose from — like Kodak Vision3, Ektachrome, and Fujifilm
- Tools that simulate the physical side of film: bloom, halation, grain, and print effects
- Custom color settings that let you tweak contrast, saturation, and tone — like in a film lab
For creators who want a consistent film emulation across both stills and video, this plugin stands out. It’s one of the few tools that works for both sides of the creative workflow.
You can use Dehancer in:
- DaVinci Resolve (popular with filmmakers)
- Lightroom, Photoshop, Capture One (great for photographers)
- Premiere Pro, After Effects, Final Cut (more video editing options)
Whether you’re editing a wedding video or a portrait shoot, Dehancer can give your work a softer, more emotional look — without hours of manual grading.
Still, it’s not for everyone — and it’s definitely not free.
How to Use Dehancer in DaVinci Resolve (And Why I Switched From LUTs)
I’ll be honest — I used to do the bare minimum when it came to color grading.
My typical workflow? Shoot in S-Cinetone, then drop in the Film Look Creator effect in DaVinci Resolve. It was fast, and good enough. But the results always felt a little… flat. I knew I wasn’t getting the most out of my camera, especially when I stopped using S-Log3, which gives you much more dynamic range.
The problem was, S-Log3 is hard to grade. And that’s exactly where Dehancer Pro made a huge difference for me.
Here’s how I use it now:
- I shoot everything in S-Log3 (because Dehancer handles it beautifully)
- I apply Dehancer on the last node in my DaVinci Resolve color page
- I pick a film stock I like — usually Kodak Vision3 250D or Kodachrome
- I fine-tune bloom, halation, and grain using the sliders
- I adjust print settings to change the contrast and color feel
The best part? It takes maybe 10 minutes to dial in a full look. And it feels right — like something you’d see in a film, not just another YouTube video.
How to install Dehancer in DaVinci Resolve
- Go to www.dehancer.com
- Download the plugin for your system
- Install it like any other OFX plugin
- Open DaVinci Resolve → go to the Color page
- Look on the right side under OpenFX — Dehancer will be there
If you’re wondering “Where is Dehancer in Resolve?” — it’s in the OFX panel. Just drag it onto a node.
You can also start with a free trial, which has all the features but adds a watermark. It’s a good way to test it on your own footage before buying.
Read more: 5 Wedding Video Editing Mistakes That Cost Me Time — and How I Fixed Them\
In that post, I shared how editing smarter (not harder) made a big difference in my client work — and Dehancer has now become a big part of that smoother workflow.
Is Dehancer just a fancy LUT?
This is a question I had too. The short answer? No.
LUTs are static — they apply the same preset look, no matter your lighting or camera settings. They can be great for quick results, but they often need tweaking.
Dehancer, on the other hand, simulates how film behaves — not just how it looks.
That means:
- Realistic color shifts and soft transitions
- Subtle details like highlight roll-off and color compression
- A natural, organic grain structure instead of digital noise
And unlike most LUT packs, you can fine-tune every part of the effect — from grain size to how strong the halation is.
That said, if you’re just getting started or editing on a budget, DaVinci’s Film Look Creator is still a solid place to begin. It’s free and gets you close — but not quite all the way there.
Is Dehancer Worth the Money? Let’s Talk Price, Limitations & Alternatives
Let’s cut to the chase — Dehancer Pro isn’t cheap.
As of now, you’ve got two main options:
- A lifetime license for DaVinci Resolve: $549 USD
- A photo-only version lifetime license for Lightroom, Photoshop, and Capture One: $249 USD
There’s also a subscription model, but personally, I prefer the one-time purchase. I don’t like being tied to monthly fees — especially when I know I’ll use something long-term.
So, is Dehancer worth that price?
For me — yes. Because I use it regularly in client work, weddings, personal projects, and content creation. It saves me time and gives my videos a look I can stand behind. And if you’re a hybrid creator (photo + video), it might be one of the only tools that covers both beautifully.
Try Dehancer Pro – Save 10% with Code JIMGROOTES
But I’ll be honest — it’s not for everyone.
When Dehancer might not be the right fit
- If you’re editing quick social videos and don’t need full color control
- If your computer struggles with GPU-heavy plugins
- If you’re looking for batch editing in Lightroom — that part still needs improvement
- If you’re just starting out and don’t need fine control yet
And that’s okay.
You can still get a decent film-style look with Film Look Creator in DaVinci Resolve — which is free and surprisingly good for basic grading.
Read more: Why the Sony A7CR Is My Dream Camera – A Detailed Review
That post goes deeper into my camera setup and how it all ties together with tools like Dehancer.
A Quick Recap – Is Dehancer Right for You?
Here’s a quick checklist to help you decide:
✅ You want that timeless film look in both video and photo
✅ You shoot in log formats (like S-Log3) and need better color control
✅ You work in DaVinci Resolve, Lightroom, or Premiere Pro
✅ You’re okay with a learning curve — and a one-time cost
If that sounds like you, Dehancer is a tool worth trying. And if you’re still unsure, just grab the free trial and test it on one of your recent projects.
Final Thoughts
I’m super thankful Dehancer gave me the chance to try this plugin and review it honestly. I’ve used it on weddings, studio reels, and creative shorts — and I’ve grown to love the process of grading again.
It’s not magic, and it’s not perfect. But for creators who care about tone, feeling, and storytelling — it’s a solid investment.
Have you tried Dehancer already? Thinking about it? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
And if you want more posts like this — with real tools, real stories, and no fake hype — subscribe to the newsletter.
See you in the next one.
