HYPERFOCAL FOCUSING

This method is still used by many photographers. Once the focus point has been placed at this predetermined distance from the camera, the depth of field will render the key areas of the frame acceptably sharp. The main advantage of hyperfocal focusing is that the same values can be utilised for every frame shot at the same focal length and aperture combination. Greater success may be achieved when printing at smaller sizes, where any lack of background detail will be less noticeable.

1

CHOOSE CAMERA SETTINGS Set an appropriate aperture for your camera and lens combination. For an APS-C format camera select at least f11, or for a full-frame model f16 is preferable, to ensure sufficient depth of field. Since you’ll most likely be using a tripod, choose the minimum ISO.

2

USE REFERENCE VALUES Compose the scene as required, selecting the most appropriate focal length. Refer to a hyperfocal calculation chart or input these parameters into a smartphone app. A distance value will be generated for your specified focal length, camera type and f-stop, so check each is currently entered.

3

SET FOCUS POSITION Rotate the focus ring until the suggested value is set in the distance scale window, or the markers on the lens barrel align with the engraved values. The exact position of the lens ring may have to be approximate depending on the precision of the distance scale.