Hyperfocal Distance is the
point at which you focus your camera to achieve the maximum amount of
depth-of-field (DOF) in an image at a particular aperture (F-stop) setting with
a particular lens setting.
This technique to achieving maximum DOF is particularly useful in photographing
landscape images. For the sake of being brief, I've used the hyperfocal
distance program found at
DOFMaster.com (a free program you
can download) to calculate these distances. Recently, I downloaded an
I-Phone app that calculates the hyperfocal distance as well, for just a couple
of dollars.
I created a small laminated card with the hyperfocal
distances on it for my usual landscape lenses - and just carry it in
my vest when I'm in the field ... my i-Phone app is my backup.
These numbers are for full-sensor (FX) cameras.
For cameras that have a sensor crop factor (DX) you need to multiply your lens by that factor.
For example, a 24mm lens would be a 36mm (24mm x 1.5) on my
Nikon D2x - so calculate accordingly.
Lens Position
Aperture (F-stop)
Hyperfocal Distances
21mm
F22
Focus at
2'-3"
and everything from 1'-2"
to Infinity is in
focus.
F16
Focus at
3'-2"
and everything from 1'-7"
to Infinity is in
focus.
F11
Focus at
4'-4" and everything
from 2'-2" to
Infinity is in focus.
24mm
F22
Focus at
2'-11"
and everything from 1'-6"
to Infinity is in
focus.
F16
Focus at
4' and everything from
2' to
Infinity is in focus.
F11
Focus at
5'-7"
and everything from 2'-10"
to Infinity is in
focus.