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DOF & Hyperfocal Distance
by J. Ramón Palacios

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DOF and Hyperfocal Distance
» H & DOF calculator
pdf Printable H Tables & How to Set H in Your Lens
The formulas
 
Related article
Understanding Depth of Field and Aperture & Shutter Relationships

Try not to use the smallest aperture in your lens (f/22, f/32) to avoid diffraction - sharpness killer.
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Badlands sunrise © jrp
Hyperfocal Distance focusing at work. Nikon D2X with 12-24mm f/4G AF-S Nikkor
The Near Focus Limit is at my feet in this sunrise at the Badlands, SD. 5th ANPAT


Depth of Field (DOF) and Hyperfocal Distance Calculator  

   

 Select Film Format, Digital Camera, or 
 your own chosen Circle of Confusion 

 Select your lens focal length (mm)

 Select the chosen aperture f-stop* 

 Enter the focusing distance

   
Click for the program to
   

For that distance, Near focus limit of DOF:

For that distance, Far focus limit of DOF:

Hyperfocal Distance:

Circle of Confusion (mm):

   
Note: You need to enter a focusing distance (any) for the calculator program to compute the Hyperfocal Distance, which is independent of the focusing distance you enter. To obtain MAX DOF remember to focus at that Hyperfocal Distance (H). Your Near Focus limit of DOF will then be half of H and your Far Focus limit wil be infinity.

 

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The true f-stop value of aperture was used in the calculations as per this table:

f/1 f/1.4 f/2 f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22 f/32
1.0000 1.4142 2.0000 2.8284 4.0000 5.6568 8.0000 11.3137 16.0000 22.6274 32.0000
More...»
see also
The MAX DOF Tool
Nikkor Lenses forum