1. What is Depth of Field?

Depth of Field (DoF) is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in an image. The hyperfocal distance is the focus distance that gives your photos the greatest depth of field.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formulas:

Where:

• \( f \) — Focal length (meters)
• \( N \) — F-number (dimensionless)
• \( c \) — Circle of confusion (meters)
• \( \text{near\_limit} \) — Near limit of acceptable sharpness (meters)

Explanation: The hyperfocal distance depends on focal length, aperture, and the acceptable circle of confusion. The depth of field is then calculated from this distance.

3. Importance of Depth of Field Calculation

Details: Understanding DoF is crucial for controlling what's in focus in your photographs, especially in landscape, macro, and portrait photography.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter focal length in meters, f-number, circle of confusion (default is 0.000029m for Nikon full-frame), and near limit. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the circle of confusion for Nikon cameras?
A: Typically 0.000029m for full-frame Nikon (0.029mm), but varies by sensor size. For APS-C, use about 0.000019m.

Q2: How does aperture affect depth of field?
A: Smaller apertures (higher f-numbers) increase depth of field, while larger apertures (lower f-numbers) decrease it.

Q3: What's the practical use of hyperfocal distance?
A: Focusing at the hyperfocal distance maximizes the zone of acceptable sharpness from half this distance to infinity.

Q4: Does focal length affect depth of field?
A: Yes, longer focal lengths produce shallower depth of field at the same aperture and focus distance.

Q5: How accurate are these calculations?
A: They provide theoretical values. Actual results may vary slightly due to lens characteristics and other factors.