What is hyperfocal distance?
Jun 24, 2018 13:35:23 #
camerapapi wrote:
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.
This is wrong information. It is the distance that produces the greatest depth of field for a given focal length and aperture on a given camera sensor size.
Look at any depth of field calculator and see for yourself.
Put another way, the HD is fixed and has nothing to do with where you initially focus your lens, but it will tell you, based on your aperture, focal length and sensor size. There is only one HD for each combination of focal length and aperture, and refocusing the camera to a different distance will not change the HD.
Your second statement, "Hyperfocal distance is that distance multiplied by 2 at the aperture you have set in your lens" makes no sense at all.
Jun 24, 2018 13:37:09 #
OddJobber wrote:
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.
If you select something close and something very far away (infinity) is that not hyperfocal distance
Jun 24, 2018 13:37:33 #
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, but it is a way for the camera to give you decent sharpness between two focus distances. Hyperfocal always involves acceptable sharpness at infinity and some closer distance, and it will always be the greatest depth of field.
Jun 24, 2018 13:54:31 #
TheDman
Loc: USA
Gene51 wrote:
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.
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.
Exactly. I find the concept of "acceptable focus" laughable. If it's not tack sharp, then it's not sharp.
Jun 24, 2018 14:36:03 #
I would define it as: for a given lens, aperture, and focal length setting, hyperfocal distance is the closest distance at which you can focus your lens and infinity is still in focus. One half that distance will also be in focus.
Jun 26, 2018 00:47:08 #
Jun 26, 2018 07:11:54 #
mborn wrote:
Reasonable answer
It may be reasonable, but incorrect. Every lens has but one hyperfocal distance at a given aperture. If a zoom is used, then the HD is specific to a focal length and aperture. For HD, the farthest distance that will be in "acceptable" sharpness is always infinity. The nearest distance of acceptable sharpness will be one-half whatever the chart or calculator will tell you it is.
The reason the OP can't get a straight and clear answer is that many respondents seem to confuse HD with depth of field.
There is a DoF component to the HD. When the camera is focused at the HD, it will have the greatest depth of field.
Jim King and some others clearly understand and have described it accurately.
Jun 26, 2018 07:44:10 #
Jun 26, 2018 08:03:13 #
Gene51 wrote:
The reason the OP can't get a straight and clear answer is that many respondents seem to confuse HD with depth of field.
Look on the bright side, Gene. No one has called it depth of focus. 
Jun 26, 2018 17:52:01 #
OddJobber wrote: Look on the bright side, Gene. No one has called it depth of focus.
Look on the bright side, Gene. No one has called it depth of focus. OMG! That might take several weeks to explain.
Then we can cover Circles of Confusion, Airy Disk and the Scheimpflug Principle - I can just hear it now - the unmistakable sound of exploding heads!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.