How to Hyperfocus?

[aironmax_1]

I've been reading on hyperfocusing but its still so confusing.. (to me at least) What is an easy way to hyperfocus? I think your supposed to focus at the hyperfocal distance, and everything half of that distance to infinity is in focus.. Is that right?

[Greg McCary]

Just focus one third of the way into he shot. Most likely you don't have markings on your lens unless it's old.
Greg

[livin4lax09]

http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

[aironmax_1]

Yeah, that calculator is real helpful. But is there a quick way to figure out/estimate a hyperfocal distance when you're out shooting w/o the help of that calculator?

[Greg McCary]

Thanks for the link Brent. I bookmarked it....
Here's the one third method too. Not perfect but it works for me.


http://www.vividlight.com/articles/1610.htm

[another view]

everything half of that distance to infinity is in focus.. Is that right?

Not exactly, but close. Older manual focus lenses almost always had HFF markings on them but it's pretty rare to see that today. Focusing 1/3 of the way into the shot uses the principal of the technique and that's the way that a lot of people work these days. If you have a depth of field preview button on your camera, this is a good double check but give your eyes a few seconds to get used to the lower light level that will be coming thru the viewfinder.

[Xia_Ke]

Yeah, that calculator is real helpful. But is there a quick way to figure out/estimate a hyperfocal distance when you're out shooting w/o the help of that calculator?

Here's a link to setting up a chart you can print out and stick in your wallet if that helps:

http://www.dofmaster.com/charts.html

[readingr]

It depends on whether your using zoom lenses or fixed lenses.

On zooms you'll have the inifinity symbol with a horizontal L - you line up the upward leg of the horizontal L with the zoom factor which will normally be written in RED. This will however not give you the minimum focusing distance but if you have a DSLR then press the Depth of Field Preview button to check what's in focus and then correct.

I never worry about it I just use the above method and never have any problems.

Roger