Calculating hyperfocal distance in the field

jamesbjenkins · Jul 12, 2012

Hey all,

I've been doing quite a bit of reading on hyperfocal distance and maximizing depth of field. There's tons of great information out there on the Internet, but I'm a bit confused on one thing. Please share your best practices here if you have them. A brief search of "hyperfocal distance" here didn't result in much solid info.

How does one calculate hyperfocal distance in the field, when your lens doesn't have a DoF scale (as all newer Nikon lenses are lacking)? I may be over thinking this, but it seems like a lot of math in one's head when they'd rather be focusing on the composition of their image.

Thoughts?

o hey tyler · Jul 12, 2012

I don't really calculate it, it's more of a rough guess... But I did get an app on my phone that calculates DoF, and hyperfocal distance. It's called SimpleDoF on iOS devices, and I am sure Android has something similar. It allows you to put in the type of camera, (APS-C or FF, smaller sensor sizes too I think), focal length, distance to subject, and aperture.

When I do a quick and dirty hyperfocus, It usually goes something like this if I recall correctly:

1. Focus to ~1/3rd of the way into the Image

2. Shoot between f/8 and f/11 depending on how wide your lens is (I find f/8-f/11 to work well with a 35mm lens on a FF camera)

3. Pop dat shutta, yo.

KmH · Jul 12, 2012

Back in the day, lenses had a hyperfocus scale right on them.

The capability of cameras to auto focus has resulted in the elimination of many lens features that were very helpful.

pgriz · Jul 12, 2012

The preparation is actually quite simple. I have a binder with things that I don't want to memorize, including DOF and hyperfocal distances (by focal length, aperture), EV values, etc. I also have the key values on a document on my smartphone. So, it's not a biggie to look up whatever values I need, either by looking at the binder docs, or on my smartphone. If you have an ipad, with internet access - you can look it up directly. Without internet access, you look up the downloaded tables or info.

Big Mike · Jul 12, 2012

I also estimate it, drawing on experience, but I do have an app on my smart phone as well.

jamesbjenkins · Jul 12, 2012

Big Mike said:
I also estimate it, drawing on experience, but I do have an app on my smart phone as well.

I saw some of those apps on my iPad, but so many of those are a crap shoot. Can you suggest an app, if you're happy with one?

cayto · Jul 12, 2012

Without a smartphone...just memorize some values...like i do :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

o hey tyler · Jul 12, 2012

jamesbjenkins said:
Big Mike said:

I also estimate it, drawing on experience, but I do have an app on my smart phone as well.

Click to expand...

I saw some of those apps on my iPad, but so many of those are a crap shoot. Can you suggest an app, if you're happy with one?

Just try SimpleDoF, it's not what I'd consider a "crapshoot." It's free, so it's not like you're loosing anything. Right? (Well, other than storage space on your phone/ipad)

Big Mike · Jul 12, 2012

Yup, I use SimpleDOF.

jamesbjenkins · Jul 12, 2012

o hey tyler said:
Just try SimpleDoF, it's not what I'd consider a "crapshoot." It's free, so it's not like you're loosing anything. Right? (Well, other than storage space on your phone/ipad)

Big Mike said:
Yup, I use SimpleDOF.

So... SimpleDOF is exactly what I was looking for. Haven't seen it in my other app searches.

Problem solved! Many thanks!

cgipson1 · Jul 12, 2012

Apps on Iphone, Ipad, and Ipod touch, and on my laptop. I always have at least one of those toys with me!

Plus I can guestimate it purty good too!

TheBiles · Jul 13, 2012

Other than the apps on my phone, just memorize were to manually focus my ultra-wide at specific apertures. For example, 12mm and f/8, I always focus at slightly over 2 feet. That gives me focus from 1 foot to infinity.

Sent from my Galaxy S III

cabledawg · Jul 19, 2012

I use DoF Calc by JDS for the android phone. Very user freindly, but doesnt break down the brand cameras by models, just the full frame vs standard DSLR. But the value adjustments for f-stop, focal length and focal distance are on a wheel that you spin versus a drop down box or manual entry.