| When should you use hyperfocal focusing? | | | | between just over 2 feet and 5 feet will be |
| Well, sometimes when shooting a landscape, | | | | in focus.If the lens is set to focus in |
| you want everything sharp from the front to | | | | infinity (the infinity mark is over the |
| the back of the scene. Setting a small | | | | central mark on the depth of field scale), |
| aperture such as f/16, f/22 or even f/32 can | | | | then you only need to read off the distance |
| help, but if you really want to maximize | | | | value for the f-stop mark to the left of the |
| depth of field, hyperfocal focusing is the | | | | central depth of field scale as everything |
| technique you need to use.To do this, you | | | | between it and infinity will be in focus. If |
| need a camera where you can switch to manual | | | | you'd set your f-stop to f/5.6 on the 28mm |
| focusing and a lens inscribed with a depth of | | | | lens, everything from just over 10 feet to |
| field scale (not all modern lenses have these | | | | infinity would be in focus. If you'd selected |
| markings, especially zoom lenses). If you're | | | | f/16, it would be everything from 5 feet to |
| not familiar with these kinds of lens | | | | infinity.Hyperfocal FocusingHyperfocal |
| markings, here's a quick explanation:Lens | | | | focusing is based on the fact that depth of |
| Markings PrimerA typical lens shows four sets | | | | field typically extends 2/3 behind the point |
| of markings. At top (looking from behind the | | | | focused on and 1/3 in front, but if you focus |
| camera) is the distance scale (on the lens' | | | | on infinity, the depth of field behind is |
| focus barrel) showing figures in feet and | | | | completely wasted. You can make use of it if |
| meters (this also shows the infinity | | | | you refocus, putting the infinity mark (an |
| position).Below that are a set of lines | | | | "8" on its side) on the focusing ring against |
| beneath which the f-stops of the lens are | | | | the aperture set on the depth of field scale |
| marked. This is the depth of field scale. For | | | | (this is known as the hyperfocal point). If, |
| each f-stop, there are two equidistant marks, | | | | for example, you set a 28mm lens to f/11 and |
| one to the left and one to the right of the | | | | focus on infinity, everything from about 9 |
| central mark on the scale.The last set of | | | | feet (2.5m) to infinity will be sharp. Align |
| figures shows the selected f-stop for the | | | | the infinity mark against the "11" position |
| lens. These are on the lens aperture ring | | | | to give hyperfocal focusing and the depth of |
| and, as you change the aperture, the selected | | | | field now extends from 4 feet (1.2m) to |
| f-stop under the central line on the depth of | | | | infinity, which is essential if you want |
| field scale will tell you what aperture | | | | foreground interest to be pin-sharp. If you |
| you've selected.To find out what part of a | | | | set your lens to f/16 and rotate the focus |
| scene is in focus is simply a matter of | | | | barrel to place the infinity mark over the |
| reading the distance scale for the two marks | | | | "16" position, then reading the scales shows |
| for your selected f-stop on the depth of | | | | that everything between just under 3 feet to |
| field scale. For example, let's say you've | | | | infinity will be sharp.The Hyperfocal |
| focused on something that's 3 feet away. If | | | | distance is the that point above the central |
| your lens is set at f/2.8, then reading the | | | | mark on the depth of field scale when the |
| distance values at the two "2.8" marks on the | | | | infinity mark has been put over the required |
| lens shows that everything just shy of 3 feet | | | | f-stop mark on the depth of field scale. In |
| to about 3.5 feet will be in focus (a little | | | | the case of the 28mm lens at f/11, that's 9 |
| guesstimation is required in reading the | | | | feet / 2.5m. At f/16, the hyperfocal distance |
| distances). This is fine for isolating your | | | | would be 5 feet. Remember that the hyperfocal |
| subject from everything else.If you close the | | | | distance will be different for lenses of |
| lens down to f/11, then reading the distances | | | | different focal length and different f-stops. |
| for the two "11" marks shows that everything | | | | |