Comments on: 74 — Hyperfocal distance — How to use the hyperfocal distance

By: admin

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:24:04 +0000

Thanks for the compliment, and no problem on the question. Most lenses still DO have distance scales in meters and feet. Every lens I own (from old to new) has a distance scale, what’s missing is the hyperfocal distance scale on the newer lenses.
IF by chance you don’t have that distance scale, you’ll need an alternative device that measures distance. You can pick these up in hardware stores. Hope that helps — Marko

By: Chittalr

Chittalr — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:33:10 +0000

Thanks for the podcast marko…
I have a question.….. it may sound stupid but i was trying to use this and I could not figure this thing out.
Now that we dont have distance on the barrel of the lens, how do i know the distance where I am focusing at?
Example : The mountain in the picture .… say it is 200 feet from me.. is there a way to know how far the mountain is? Or i guess it? N then when it comes to putting my focus point on the hyperfocal distance; again how do i know i am focusing on that distance. Is there a way to know it in the view finder or on screen????

By: Kent Wilson

Kent Wilson — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 06:41:52 +0000

Hi Marko –

Very nice podcst; informative, as usual.

I attended a talk by Adam Jones (a Canon Explorer of Light), and in discussing this he said to focus on the farthest object you want in focus, then focus on the nearest object you want in focus, then manually focus halfway between them. It’s simple but does it work? I haven’t had a chance to try it.

A 2nd idea that simplifies matters is to use the live view option (if your camera has it) and look and see if everything you want to be in focus is. Since the scene can be magnified 10x, that’s a pretty reliable and simple approach. Don’t remember where I heard about this.

Hope these tips are good, because I expect to use them. I’m nt keen on consulting a chart when shooting, but will do if that’s the best alternative.

Keep these terrific podcasts coming!

kent wilson

By: admin

admin — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 04:43:31 +0000

Hi Yisehaq,

Usually there are numbers on the lens barrel to help you gauge the distance. Sometimes though you do have to estimate it as you might have a 10 foot marking and the next marking is 25 feet. It depends on the lens. That estimation will still likely increase your DOF.
For more precision you will need an additional instrument like a tape measure or some electronic device that measures precise distance. Hope that helps — marko

By: yisehaq

yisehaq — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:50:49 +0000

Indeed it’s informative but allow me to ask the dumb question, ?how do you know how to focus on 23.7 ft rather than 40ft ? Am I missing something??

By: raiven

raiven — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:02:15 +0000

Just thought i would mention that the chart mentioned –http://dofmaster.com/dofjs.html– works on my Blackberry bold. I have to enlarge the screen but it does work.

By: admin

admin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:19:27 +0000

many thanks bambi, 42 and crystalb!

By: Crystalb

Crystalb — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:30:41 +0000

Very easy to understand, Great podcast! Thanks

By: Fortytwo

Fortytwo — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:51:03 +0000

Thanks for this podcast Marko. It’s a very difficult topic, but you explaned it very clearly. I’m gonna practice this as soon a I get a chance…

By: Bambi

Bambi — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:15:20 +0000

thank you Marko, as a newbie to all this, I found this podcast very helpful.

By: admin

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:21:54 +0000

Hi Dominic and thanks for the comment. Here’s some help that should work for Mac http://dofmaster.com/dofjs.html works from any computer. http://dofmaster.com/doftable.html you should be able to print this for different focal lengths. Hope that helps — Marko

By: Dominic

Dominic — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:48:07 +0000

This podcast was sort of a “DUH”, for me, because I had forgotten about this technique.
I went and checked out the website you recommended, but it is PC based. This is all fine and dandy, but what about those of us with a MAC?
I guess we simply have to build our own. Given the calculations, it should be relatively simple.
Thank you for the proverbial smack in the head, I needed it.
If I find a MAC based site I will post it.

By: AntZ

AntZ — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:23:19 +0000

Some how submit my prev comment before I was finished.
I wanted to add that thanks to the podcast now I know about these calculators and that the technique has a name.

By: AntZ

AntZ — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:20:10 +0000

Great podcast Marko. I’d never hear of the term before, or used any sort of calculator before, but I it is a technique I have applied through common sense. Especially for shallow DOF Macro shots. N

By: Marko

Marko — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:55:43 +0000

Thanks for the comments Michael Van der Tol raiven and Aaron Hockley. Might be interesting to do a test. Focus 1/3 of the way in, in shot 1 versus using a depth of field calculator in shot 2. Don't get me wrong...even I have used the focus 1/3 of the way in technique in a pinch, but I cannot recommend it as a 'method' as per the answer to JJJ. It's just so easy to have something portable and 100% precise in your camera bag or on a smartphone. Why gamble when precision is just as easy the majority of the time.

By: raiven

raiven — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:03:29 +0000

Thanks Marco! With the old lenses it was easy. I was actually going to ask the same question as Jimmy. Darwin Wigget recommended focusing about one third of the way into scene as well at the recent lecture we attended.

Good stuff!

By: Aaron Hockley

Aaron Hockley — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:50:44 +0000

Great podcast as usual. I especially want to commend you for doing a great job in the audio description… this is a very visual topic, and the fact that you could make it clear in an audio format is a credit to your ability to teach. Thanks!

By: Michael Van der Tol

Michael Van der Tol — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:22:31 +0000

Great podcast Marko — as usual. I learned something new — See, you can teach “mature” photographers new tricks

By: admin

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:53:45 +0000

It’s a pleasure JJJ!

One thing though, your comment about Rick Sammon’s technique may be misleading to newbies reading this.

Focusing on “a point” approx. 1/3 into the scene is only good to think about in theory. There’s very little precision with a technique like that.

ALSO the exact place you will focus will VARY based on the focal length of the lens, the aperture you choose for that lens and how far you are away from the object. Focusing 1/3 of the way in therefore is at best an estimation, a decent one in many cases, but not precise. For precision, use a depth of field calculator. Hope that helps — Marko

By: jimmy brown ( jjj )

jimmy brown ( jjj ) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:53:53 +0000

Hey Marko.I found your podcast on hyperfocal distance very informative. I seem to recall a famous or infamous photographer named Rick Sammon advising photographers to focus at a point approx. 1/3 rd into the scene for the greatest depth of field. Now I know why. Thanks again for all the great podcasts. I can hardly wait for the next issue — jimmy

By: admin

admin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:18:35 +0000

My Pleasure Jack & Benny! Thanks for the link Greg!

By: jacklabel

jacklabel — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:53:49 +0000

Very interesting topic Marko, I knew it existed but never got o look into it. I may try shooting using the rule someday. thanks for explaining it.

By: Benny

Benny — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:56:52 +0000

Oh that is so interesting and I have to try this at some point. Thank-you for putting these podcasts out.

By: Greg Nuspel

Greg Nuspel — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:18:50 +0000

You can get a calculator for a pocket PC here http://www.dl-c.com/PPC/index.html