GET IN THE ZONE
Zone focusing is an additional option with most manual-focus lenses
Whereas using the hyperfocal distance typically requires a chart that relates focus distances to focal lengths and apertures, ‘zone focusing’ can be more straightforward. While many AF zoom lenses have a focus distance scale, the fixed focal length of prime lenses enables the addition of depth of field markers. The longer rotational travel of the focus ring enables a bigger spread of marked focus distances, which you can use with the depth of field markers, often available for a range of apertures. This enables you to use ‘zone focusing’, adjusting the focus ring so that the required zone of the scene is in focus. For landscapes, you’re more likely to align the infinity point of the focus distance scale at the longer position indicated by the depth of field scale. This basically sets the lens to its hyperfocal distance.