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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Hyperfocal without measurements?
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Showing posts 1 - 7 of 7, (reverse)
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 01/18/2005 08:31:25 PM · #1
Is there any way to calculate the hyperfocal distance points etc. when you havn't any measurements on the lens? I'm speaking of the Canon EF-S 18-55mm and the Canon EF 75-300mm IS USM zoom lenses.

Short of using a tape measure, I havn't been able to do that magical hyperfocal thing where the majority of the image is sharp.

I may have fluked it without knowing though... see my other post.

Thanks,
Michael.
 01/18/2005 09:24:32 PM · #2
The crude rule-of-thumb is to focus about 1/3 of the way into the scene, but hereis a link that may prove valuable. You can print and assemble a calculator to take into the field. Then you can make pretty rapid calculations. If for instance the calculator tells you that for a given situation yoru hyperfocal distance is 50ft, and you have no distance scale on the lens, simply manually focus on something that you estimate to be 50ft away, then recompose and shoot. Best to bracket focus slightly, back and front.
 01/19/2005 05:28:19 AM · #3
But surely the hyperfocal distance is a very fine art? I tried to do that estimating focus but I get confused with zoom as well. If I'm zoomed at 28.8mm (18mm * 1.6x factor) then I am to set my focus to a certain distance with a certain aperture. I tried it guessing and all I got was out of focus images.

Any other ideas? have you done it this way? or does everyone own L series lenses with clear indications...

Thanks,
Michael
 01/19/2005 09:38:45 AM · #4
Focus to a set distance and choose a given f-stop then use your Depth of Field preview to find the closest and furtherest point that has acceptable focus. I'm not very familar with Canon, but Nikon usually has a table in the lens instructions that can be used to determine hyperfocal distances.
 01/19/2005 06:47:07 PM · #5
How do I determine the set distance when there are no markings on the lens? and does the zoom factor have a bearing on the set distance? for example, if I'm zoomed in at 28mm and a focus on 2m in front of me, is that the same as zoomed in at 35mm and focussed on 2m in front of me?

Thanks for the tip on the dof preview button, I never understood it's function before. It simply just made the view finder darker in some parts.
 01/19/2005 07:02:57 PM · #6
Originally posted by groover:
How do I determine the set distance when there are no markings on the lens?


As I posted earlier, you have no choice (short of carrying a very long tape measure or a range finding device) but to just look for an object to focus on that is about at the desired distance. You just guess. Works OK if you're decent at judging distances.

Originally posted by groover:
does the zoom factor have a bearing on the set distance? for example, if I'm zoomed in at 28mm and a focus on 2m in front of me, is that the same as zoomed in at 35mm and focussed on 2m in front of me?


Since the sensor parameters of your camera are a "constant" (you are not changing them unless you change cameras) then the only thing that affects the hyperfocal distance is the focal length of the lens. For instance, if you are at 28mm, your hyperfocal distance is 14.6m. If you are at 35mm focal length, then your hyperfocal distance is 22.8m. This is independent of the aperture setting, but of course the DoF will vary with the aperture. I'd encourage you to go to the "DOFMaster" site I linked to above, and just play around with the online calculator (which also gives hyperfocal distance). You will learn alot.
01/21/2005 12:33:07 AM · #7
Sorry to be stupid. So I set the zoom to a specific mm then the focus to an object that is x metres away from my camera where it is standing, set the aperture to what it says and then fire the shot?
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