Infinity Focus (Page 2): Lenses will also focus past infinity for several reasons. Is this what you are seeing?

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

shahidr100 wrote:

Hello all,

I have a Nikon D3100. Currently I am using Tamron 16-300 with it and need to know how to infinity focus for landscape photography. I see an infinity mark on the lens but I am not able to achieve infinity focus.

I have changed from auto to manual focus. Set the focus ring to infinity and then what?

Please help.

Lenses will also focus past infinity for several reasons. Is this what you are seeing?

shahidr100 Loc: India

mwsilvers wrote:

Lenses will also focus past infinity for several reasons. Is this what you are seeing?

Hello

I am overwhelmed by wonderful response I am getting from this forum which is really enhancing my knowledge.

Well mwsilvers, I shot few landscape photos last week and most of them were out of focus. Thats the reason i wanted to know about infinity focus.
In fact I was in a wedding and shot at F/8 and shutter 1/125, ISO 400 to 1600. Many of the shots were out of focus and quality was not too good. I was using Tamron 16-300 for that.

Shahid

glgracephoto Loc: Arlington, WA

Pablo8 wrote:

For better landscape photography, one needs to set the focus on the Hyperfocal distance setting. Then you have everything in 'acceptable focus' from half the hyperfocal distance, to infinity.. If one manually sets the focus at the infinity mark, you will have less depth of 'acceptable focus'. Basic physics, not rocket science.

One of the best things I learned, was about hyperfocal distances, another was back button autofocus. The latter for ease and convenience, but the first far more for improved images.

Infinity has its use, like for the moon, stars; but for a landscape, you want as much of the scene in focus as possible. Smaller aperture (bigger number) also will increase your depth of field, but slow shutter speed too, so a tripod is anther most useful aid for landscape shooting.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I never bother trying to focus on infinity since I never take pictures of anything there. Focus on something you can see, and let it go at that.

ABJanes Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia

This iPhone App is so helpful.......https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/simple-dof-calculator/id301222730?mt=8 so you can plan your hyperfocal distance/s. Example.....with your lens set at wide angle, 16MM and f16 everything will be in focus from approximately 3' to infinity.

shahidr100 wrote:

Hello all,

I have a Nikon D3100. Currently I am using Tamron 16-300 with it and need to know how to infinity focus for landscape photography. I see an infinity mark on the lens but I am not able to achieve infinity focus.

I have changed from auto to manual focus. Set the focus ring to infinity and then what?

Please help.

Tom G Loc: Atlanta, GA

Rongnongno wrote:

Google it, easier than to explain it...

This is not advice. If you're gonna reply why not provide a site?

Tom G Loc: Atlanta, GA

jerryc41 wrote:

I never bother trying to focus on infinity since I never take pictures of anything there. Focus on something you can see, and let it go at that.

What kind of advice is that? So you don't use infinity, maybe Shahidr wants to use it. So answer his question or don't; "and let it go at that".

zigipha Loc: north nj

Rich1939 wrote:

As an adjunct to this conversation, "Hey all you camera manufacturers", why not include a auto hyper-focal feature on your cameras? Push a button and depending on the settings/lens the camera will auto focus at the hyper-focal point. I know you can do it!!

Because although cameras can come into sharp focus when pointing to an image, they don't go a such a good job at focusing at a distance (i.e. focus in on 15 ft cuz that's the hyperfocal distance). the distance indicator on lenses (and assuming the equivalent was on the focus motor accuator) is not accurate

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

zigipha wrote:

Because although cameras can come into sharp focus when pointing to an image, they don't go a such a good job at focusing at a distance (i.e. focus in on 15 ft cuz that's the hyperfocal distance). the distance indicator on lenses (and assuming the equivalent was on the focus motor accuator) is not accurate

Sorry but, I believe the technology is there. What's lacking is a reason for manufacturers to go the extra expense. Over the years I have done a lot of hyper-focal work and in my experience there is more latitude for finding the hyper-focal sweet spot than for focusing on a single point.

blackest Loc: Ireland

Rich1939 wrote:

Sorry but, I believe the technology is there. What's lacking is a reason for manufacturers to go the extra expense. Over the years I have done a lot of hyper-focal work and in my experience there is more latitude for finding the hyper-focal sweet spot than for focusing on a single point.

Which hyperfocal distance? The one at f4 , f8 .... Which camera body?
Which lens?

The focus systems are relatively dumb essentially the camera body tells the lens which way to alter the focus and tells it to stop once it (the camera body) has detected focus. There is a whole new problem when actually trying to get a lens to move to a particular focus point. The distance scale built into a lens only applies to a particular sensor size. Then there is the "acceptable focus" which is a pre WWII standard and isn't that sharp to begin with. You will probably find focusing beyond the hyperfocal distance will improve a dominating background but of course that will mean the near focus will be further away. The solution really is an intelligent operator who decides what is more important.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

blackest wrote:

Which hyperfocal distance? The one at f4 , f8 .... Which camera body?
Which lens?

You are kidding right?
Today's cameras know what lens and aperture you're using. I maintain that the technology is there but not the will.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

go to camerasim.com and work the simulation and you will have an epiphany.

shahidr100 wrote:

Hello all,

I have a Nikon D3100. Currently I am using Tamron 16-300 with it and need to know how to infinity focus for landscape photography. I see an infinity mark on the lens but I am not able to achieve infinity focus.

I have changed from auto to manual focus. Set the focus ring to infinity and then what?

Please help.

blackest Loc: Ireland

Rich1939 wrote:

You are kidding right?
Today's cameras know what lens and aperture you're using. I maintain that the technology is there but not the will.

measuring the distance is still a different task to finding focus and do you want the hyperfocal distance or somewhere near to it. It wouldn't be that hard to include highlighted marks for hyperfocal distance on a lens which would be a low tech solution. actually a sticker on the lens would be just as good for most people who want it.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

blackest wrote:

The distance scale built into a lens only applies to a particular sensor size.

Absolutely sure of this, are you??

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

blackest wrote:

measuring the distance is still a different task to finding focus and do you want the hyperfocal distance or somewhere near to it. It wouldn't be that hard to include highlighted marks for hyperfocal distance on a lens which would be a low tech solution. actually a sticker on the lens would be just as good for most people who want it.

Yes, finding the right lens extension would be something that would have to be 'engineered' but that is not insurmountable.
I feel that this is something that I would find very useful as my 76 year old eyes leave something to be desired. It is also something that only a small segment of the market would find useful/helpful, ergo the lack of will by the manufacturers.