What is hyperfocal distance?
Jun 23, 2018 19:25:14 #
ballsafire wrote:
It has been my experience that trying to get a straight answer was an experience in frustration. I learned that the answer was: "the distance from camera to subject." But how does this distance mean so much in photography? Is it only for regulating Depth Of Field as in landscape photography? Who else has experienced this dilemma?
An often misunderstood concept.
But in the simplest terms, the distance at which a lens at a specific focal length and aperture, would have the greatest depth of field - from infinity to a distance that that is one half the subject to camera distance.
To illustrate - a 50mm lens on a full frame camera used at F8.
The hyperfocal distance would be 34' 2.1" - so anything from 17' to infinity will be in the "acceptable focus" range.
This is a handy site that you can use to calculate all sorts of useful information about lenses and putting together panoramas.
http://www.tawbaware.com/maxlyons/calc.htm
However, don't expect things at infinity or 17' to be tack sharp. Something at 34' 2.1" will be tack sharp - and as you move away from that plane, you will see a gradual decay of sharpness.
Jun 23, 2018 21:34:57 #
kskarma
Loc: Topeka, KS
When I was working as a news photographer....many, many, don't ask, years ago, it was our practice to align the infinity mark on the lens with whatever f-stop we might be using....usually f8 or so. This would...in theory...give the maximum 'in focus' range and it kept my camera ready for quick 'grab shots' We referred to this as setting the 'hyperfocal' distance... Now with very few lenses having all of the focal markings, it would be a lot harder to do...that, plus the fact that we now have auto-focus, really changes this practice...those days of yore are fading...!!
Jun 24, 2018 07:39:50 #
When you focus on something at the hyperfocal distance (say 10 feet, for example), everything from half of the hyperfocal distance ( 5 ft) to infinity will be ‘acceptably’ sharp. If you want even sharper focus throughout that range, then you can focus stack.
Jun 24, 2018 08:43:32 #
Longshadow wrote:
I REALLY miss those marks on lenses! 
But look at how much cheaper lenses are now that they don't have the expense of marking them.
Jun 24, 2018 08:57:37 #
In very simple terms it is the closest and farther distance in focus for a given aperture.
Jun 24, 2018 08:59:49 #
In very simple terms it is the closest and farther distance in focus for a given aperture.
Look in your viewfinder to a close object and look at the distance of the subject to the camera. Hyperfocal distance is that distance multiplied by 2 at the aperture you have set in your lens.
Look in your viewfinder to a close object and look at the distance of the subject to the camera. Hyperfocal distance is that distance multiplied by 2 at the aperture you have set in your lens.
Jun 24, 2018 09:57:39 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
Try out the calculator at http://www.tawbaware.com/maxlyons/calc.htm and use the Depth of Field Calculator to envision what's happening. Among other things it gives the hyperfocal distance.
Jun 24, 2018 10:07:37 #
My canon elan IIe had a setting for hyperfocal distance. Point at closest point to be in focus and press the shutter. Point at farthest point and press the shutter. The camera then set itself to take he picture. Does canon do this with any of their dslrs?
Jun 24, 2018 11:02:48 #
xt2
Loc: British Columbia, Canada
Linda From Maine wrote:
And here's another excellent article:
https://photographylife.com/landscapes/hyperfocal-distance-explained
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https://photographylife.com/landscapes/hyperfocal-distance-explained
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Excellent link! Thx Linda...
Jun 24, 2018 11:05:13 #
camerapapi wrote:
In very simple terms it is the closest and farther distance in focus for a given aperture.
It is a specific distance, not a range of distances.
Jun 24, 2018 11:49:14 #
Me too. I used those on almost every photo I took.
Pushing a preview button and trying to determine focus on a 2" screen is rather useless.
Of course if you have a couple extra $1,000 some lenses still have the marks.
Pushing a preview button and trying to determine focus on a 2" screen is rather useless.
Of course if you have a couple extra $1,000 some lenses still have the marks.
Jun 24, 2018 11:59:57 #
Jun 24, 2018 12:01:31 #
wishaw wrote:
My canon elan IIe had a setting for hyperfocal distance. Point at closest point to be in focus and press the shutter. Point at farthest point and press the shutter. The camera then set itself to take he picture. Does canon do this with any of their dslrs?
That's not hyperfocal distance. In DEP mode (depth of field mode) you select the closest and farthest points you want in focus and the camera adjusts the aperture to give you that depth of field.
Jun 24, 2018 12:34:58 #
alby wrote:
"yore" spelled AND used correctly.... you beat me Longshadow
Not really. "Olden days" and "of yore" are synonyms so the usage is redundant.
Jun 24, 2018 12:50:51 #
Wellhiem wrote:
It's the closest distance you can focus on whilst the furthest part of the image is still sharp. It's all dependent on lens and aperture, (and also of course on your definition of "sharp"). In the olden days of yore, there used to be a guide on all lenses.
Reasonable answer
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