 Jessica A. Eiss |
revisiting manual focusing I re-read a previous post I had made, and still have some questions. If my Nikon lenses don't have the focusing scale on the front of the lenses, how do you attempt to determine the hyperfocal distance? I wanted to go out today and try some landscape shots of our valley. I know I have to set a small aperature, I'd like to know what the minimum focal distance in front of me would be. Thanks again. Jess
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Irene Troy |
Hyper-focal distance is measured by the length of your lens. For example, if you are shooting with a “normal” 50mm lens the hyper-focal distance is 25ft to infinity. To use hyper-focal, select your subject, select your aperture; select your focal point using a hyper-focal chart such as this one::http://bobatkins.com/photography/technical/doftable.html the depth of field (degree of sharpness) in your image is ½ the focal length (in our example, 25ft) to infinity. The part of your image that is behind your focal spot and the part that is at infinity may look out of focus in the viewfinder; however, do not refocus! Use your depth of field preview button – if your camera has one – to see how the image will appear. You do not need the focusing scale on your lenses, you just need to know that the hyper-focal distance is always ½ the focal length of your lens. The chart will help you know at what point you should set your focus.
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Jessica A. Eiss |
Thank you Irene, that was a good site to read. But I think according to the article, that it's not half the length of the lens, but half of the hyperfocal distance to infinity. So that chart was helpful. On your example of a 50 mm lens, at F4 the hyperfocal distance is 25 METERS, not feet, so at 12.5meters, it would be in focus. This will take a little time to sink in. Thanks again....good site. Jess
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Irene Troy |
Hi Jessica - I am hoping that someone with more experience/knowledge will respond to this question. I was always taught that it was 1/2 the focal length of your lens and that you measure in feet. However, since the lens is meteric, you may well be correct that you measure in meters. This would make it even more complicated! The example I used was directly from another article on hyperfocal length that I was given by another photographer. That article states what I stated: 1/2 focal length of lens and measured in feet. Oh my aching head! As you say, this will take time to figure out and use successfully. Irene
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