Depth of field

Sensor, focal length, aperture and subject distance: find the sharp zone (from where to where) and the hyperfocal distance for landscapes.

Sensor

Focal length (mm)

Aperture (f/)

Subject distance (m)

How it works

Depth of field is the zone that looks sharp around the focus point: it depends on focal length, aperture, distance and sensor size (via the «circle of confusion»). Small apertures (high f-numbers), short focals and distant subjects increase it; telephotos and wide apertures shrink it (the «blurry background» effect).

The hyperfocal trick

Focusing at the hyperfocal distance makes everything from half that distance to infinity sharp: the classic landscape technique. Standard optical formulas; values are indicative because «acceptable sharpness» also depends on print magnification.