ViewFinder Photography Forum

General discussion - our photography living room. Talk about aesthetics, philosophy, share your photos - get inspired by your peers! Moderated by another view and walterick.
ViewFinder Forum Guidelines >>
Introduce Yourself! >>
PhotographREVIEW.com Gatherings and Photo Field Trips >>
Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast
Results 26 to 50 of 75
  1. #26
    Senior Member Dylan8i's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Yellowstone NP, USA
    Posts
    1,878

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    Quote Originally Posted by Shebang
    What do you mean "back off a little...?" Are you saying you focus on a distant object and then re-compose?

    i mean instead of leaving focus on infinity and having the 1/3 in front of the focus point in focus, i zoom at less than infinity and get alot more of the frame in focus. i just do it by gut, so i could probably have alot more in focus if i did the math, but thats alot of work ( as you can see by this thread).
    check out my photography website
    http://dylanschneider.zenfolio.com/



    Please feel free to edit or change any of my pictures to show me how to improve them.



    Nikon D200
    Nikon D7000 w/grip
    Nikkor AF-S 18-135
    Nikkor AF-S 60mm macro 2.8
    Nikon 70-200 2.8 vr
    Nikon tc-17eII
    Kenoko extension tube set
    SB-600

  2. #27
    Senior Member armando_m's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Guadalajara Mexico
    Posts
    4,486

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    hmm , interesting!

    perhaps this explains why my camera sometimes when auto-focusing at infinity the focus scale shows it focusing at 15 ft

  3. #28
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Oologah, Oklahoma
    Posts
    1,360

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    Thanks to all of you for your technical expertise and "holding my hand" through this arduous process. I've been reading this whole day. Not sure that's a good thing to admit...

    Field testing tomorrow the academic gain (I hope) of today.
    ________________________
    Paula

    Your editing is welcomed. A picture is worth...


    All can look. Few will see. Less will know.

    The Truth can be anything it will. I just want to know Truth.

  4. #29
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Oologah, Oklahoma
    Posts
    1,360

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    Okay, I can't let it go, yet. So, I sat here and thought about the academic gains of the day. This is a test.

    (1) Focal length equals the "size" of the lens. For example, the focal length of my 50m prime is 50m, and the focal lengths of my 17-40 zoom is 17 or 40 or a number in between. (This is computed based on a math formula using the measurement of distance from basically the center of the lens to the sensor or film - which I could care less to know. I hate math).

    (2) DOF is the specific range or zone or plane that is perceived as acceptably sharp, and utilizes a concept known as Circle of Confusion. ( -- aptly named.)

    (3) Hyperfocal Point is the maximum Depth of Field attainable in a given scenario, and is determined by a math formula using the focal length, the aperture, and an acceptable Circle of Confusion. (Again, I hate math.)

    (4) The DOF of a particular Hyperfocal focus point begins halfway in front of that focus point. IOW, the Hyperfocal sharpest focus distance using a 50m prime on a 1.6 crop sensor camera at an aperture of F/8 is 54.1 feet. At this distance, the CoC is .019mm. Therefore, the closest thing in acceptable focus (or the front of the DOF plane) would start at 27.5 feet. Sharpness of focus would increase as one reaches the 54.1 feet marker and then begin to lose sharpness, finally reaching an unacceptable clarity at a point just before "infinity."

    Do I correctly understand these terms/concepts? Did I pass the test??

    Thanks again for staying with me on this. I appreciate each and every one of you for wading through this...
    ________________________
    Paula

    Your editing is welcomed. A picture is worth...


    All can look. Few will see. Less will know.

    The Truth can be anything it will. I just want to know Truth.

  5. #30
    Senior Member OldClicker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Mundelein, IL USA
    Posts
    4,075

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    Quote Originally Posted by Shebang
    Okay, I can't let it go, yet. So, I sat here and thought about the academic gains of the day. This is a test.

    (1) Focal length equals the "size" of the lens. For example, the focal length of my 50m prime is 50m, and the focal lengths of my 17-40 zoom is 17 or 40 or a number in between. (This is computed based on a math formula using the measurement of distance from basically the center of the lens to the sensor or film - which I could care less to know. I hate math).

    (2) DOF is the specific range or zone or plane that is perceived as acceptably sharp, and utilizes a concept known as Circle of Confusion. ( -- aptly named.)

    (3) Hyperfocal Point is the maximum Depth of Field attainable in a given scenario, and is determined by a math formula using the focal length, the aperture, and an acceptable Circle of Confusion. (Again, I hate math.)

    (4) The DOF of a particular Hyperfocal focus point begins halfway in front of that focus point. IOW, the Hyperfocal sharpest focus distance using a 50m prime on a 1.6 crop sensor camera at an aperture of F/8 is 54.1 feet. At this distance, the CoC is .019mm. Therefore, the closest thing in acceptable focus (or the front of the DOF plane) would start at 27.5 feet. Sharpness of focus would increase as one reaches the 54.1 feet marker and then begin to lose sharpness, finally reaching an unacceptable clarity at a point just before "infinity."

    Do I correctly understand these terms/concepts? Did I pass the test??

    Thanks again for staying with me on this. I appreciate each and every one of you for wading through this...
    Almost.

    (4) - For what we are doing here, the CoC is a function of the sensor size (does not change with distance). The acceptable focus would include infinity, not "just before" infinity.

    TF
    -----------------
    I am no better than you. I critique to teach myself to see.
    -----------------
    Feel free to edit my photos or do anything else that will help me learn.
    -----------------
    Sony/Minolta - way more gear than talent.

  6. #31
    Captain of the Ship Photo-John's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
    Posts
    15,422

    iPhone App

    Quote Originally Posted by OldClicker
    you can get little charts to carry or I have seen a calculator that is an application in a cell phone.
    I have an iPhone app that has this info. It's called PhotoCalc. It also has sunset and sunrise times along with other photo-related data and tools.
    Photo-John

    Your reviews are the foundation of this site - Write A Review!

  7. #32
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    1,094

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    I use it for landscapes with foreground detail. For other applications where I might want high DoF, like macro photography, it really has no place because of the short working distance.

    It's most useful at wide angle and street shooting/candids. The best thing about hyperfocus is the worst thing too - almost EVERYTHING is in focus. Great if you want it, but bad if you don't. You absolutely cannot use DoF to isolate a subject with it.

    I only have one lens where hyperfocal shooting is relevant(to me): my 12-60. I have an approximate idea of where the hyperfocal point is at 12-14mm at useful f/stops. I can predict where it will be at f/8 - f/12 even if I don't have an exact number from a chart; the useful range is just something I've taken the time to memorize. I also keep track of how far hyperfocal distance is at f/2.8 (widest aperture) just in case I'm shooting wide angle in low light.

    If you need everything in focus, there is no easier way than hyperfocal distance.
    Erik Williams

    Olympus E3, E510
    12-60 SWD, 50-200 SWD, 50 f/2 macro, EX25, FL36's and an FL50r.

  8. #33
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Oologah, Oklahoma
    Posts
    1,360

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    Quote Originally Posted by OldClicker
    Almost.

    (4) - For what we are doing here, the CoC is a function of the sensor size (does not change with distance). The acceptable focus would include infinity, not "just before" infinity.

    TF
    Thank you, TF. I think I understand what you are saying. When I said "just before infinity," I was using phraseology I read. I think basically the article was saying to push the envelope and get as much in focus as is possible -- IOW "reaching back" as far as you can while "reaching forward" as far as you can with an acceptable focus.

    I picked a lens today, checked your DOF chart, went out and walked if off and shot. It seemed to work. It got too dark before I could do all I wanted, and we are supposed to get rain the next 2 days.

    Thank you so much for your help. This was a struggle.
    ________________________
    Paula

    Your editing is welcomed. A picture is worth...


    All can look. Few will see. Less will know.

    The Truth can be anything it will. I just want to know Truth.

  9. #34
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Oologah, Oklahoma
    Posts
    1,360

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    Thank you, Photo-John, Erik and all.
    ________________________
    Paula

    Your editing is welcomed. A picture is worth...


    All can look. Few will see. Less will know.

    The Truth can be anything it will. I just want to know Truth.

  10. #35
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Oologah, Oklahoma
    Posts
    1,360

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    Quote Originally Posted by Greg McCary
    Newer lenses don't even have markings on them to hyperfocus with. A good technique if you are shooting landscapes is to focus one third the way into the shot. If I happen to be using an older lens with the markings on it, yes I do. I have a Voigtlander 15mm lens I use and when mounted it doesn't touch the focus mechanism on the M camera so you have to guess focus. I hyperfocal focus it and shoot away.
    http://www.naturephotographers.net/a.../rb0307-1.html

    Thanks, Greg. Great photo! I read that the scales on the newer lens and especially zooms are pretty worthless, that they are so compacted, they are ineffective/inaccurate. Would you agree with that? Are you using your 15m on a full frame?
    ________________________
    Paula

    Your editing is welcomed. A picture is worth...


    All can look. Few will see. Less will know.

    The Truth can be anything it will. I just want to know Truth.

  11. #36
    Senior Shooter Greg McCary's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Rome Ga.
    Posts
    10,550

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    Quote Originally Posted by Shebang
    Thanks, Greg. Great photo! I read that the scales on the newer lens and especially zooms are pretty worthless, that they are so compacted, they are ineffective/inaccurate. Would you agree with that? Are you using your 15m on a full frame?
    No I use my 15mm on a film camera, so maybe yes I do.LOL
    I am like Barney Fife, I have a gun but Andy makes me keep the bullet in my pocket..

    Sony a99/a7R

  12. #37
    Nature/Wildlife Forum Co-Moderator Loupey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Central Ohio
    Posts
    7,856

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    I agree with Greg and I use the same technique as he outlined in post #25. It was easier learning this stuff when film was the only way and every lens - even zooms - back then had the DOF lines etched on them.

    Canon still provides these on their prime wide angle lenses. I can't imagine carrying around charts or trying to memorize them. Use these DOF guides on the lens if you have them. Use the LCD playback if you don't. Or do both.
    Please do not edit or repost my images.

    See my website HERE.


    What's a Loupe for anyway?

  13. #38
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Oologah, Oklahoma
    Posts
    1,360

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    Quote Originally Posted by Loupey
    I agree with Greg...in post #25...had the DOF lines etched on them.

    Canon still provides these on their prime wide angle lenses. I can't imagine carrying around charts or trying to memorize them. Use these DOF guides on the lens if you have them. Use the LCD playback if you don't. Or do both.
    I'm not the most colorful crayon in the box...

    It's been hard enough just to get the concept, let alone actually utilizing it in my clicking.

    Here is a picture of my 17-40. Mine scale doesn't look like Greg's scale. How do I hyperfocus using this scale? (numbers are: .28m to infinity or 1 foot to 3 feet)

    Also - exactly what do you mean by "use the LCD playback"? Am I missing something or am I just too blind to see what's in focus and what's not on that little thing??
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Hyperfocus.  Do you?-img_5784-medium-.jpg  
    ________________________
    Paula

    Your editing is welcomed. A picture is worth...


    All can look. Few will see. Less will know.

    The Truth can be anything it will. I just want to know Truth.

  14. #39
    Senior Member freygr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Portland, OR, USA
    Posts
    2,522

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    I just use DOFMaster, a palm OS program if I need to know the DOF
    GRF

    Panorama Madness:

    Nikon D800, 50mm F1.4D AF, 16-35mm, 28-200mm & 70-300mm

  15. #40
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Oologah, Oklahoma
    Posts
    1,360

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    Quote Originally Posted by freygr
    I just use DOFMaster, a palm OS program if I need to know the DOF

    OldClicker pointed me to the online DOF calculator. I did use and got better results, but, like Loupey and Greg, etc. did/do, if I could find a way around it, I would. I see their results and the great results of so many others here that don't seem to physically use the DOF calculator, and I'm wondering how do they do it???
    ________________________
    Paula

    Your editing is welcomed. A picture is worth...


    All can look. Few will see. Less will know.

    The Truth can be anything it will. I just want to know Truth.

  16. #41
    Senior Member freygr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Portland, OR, USA
    Posts
    2,522

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    With a DSLR you can see the DOF using the DOF preview button, and you do see the wide open DOF to begin with.
    GRF

    Panorama Madness:

    Nikon D800, 50mm F1.4D AF, 16-35mm, 28-200mm & 70-300mm

  17. #42
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Oologah, Oklahoma
    Posts
    1,360

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    Quote Originally Posted by freygr
    With a DSLR you can see the DOF using the DOF preview button, and you do see the wide open DOF to begin with.

    I guess I am just blind -- which, without glasses, I certainly am. I just can't see it. I need an 11x13 LCD screen, I guess.
    ________________________
    Paula

    Your editing is welcomed. A picture is worth...


    All can look. Few will see. Less will know.

    The Truth can be anything it will. I just want to know Truth.

  18. #43
    Senior Member readingr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Basingstoke UK
    Posts
    4,564

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    You really are making this hard work.

    I use the simple method of take the pic look at the screen and zoom in to the areas that I want to pay attention to and if their wrong adjust to compensate. It's the best way to learn and you will soon find out what works and you will quickly work out what a situation needs from the experienc3e you gain.

    I agree in the day of film I used this method a lot but using digital I just take the pic and re-take until I'm happy.

    Roger R.
    "I hope we will never see the day when photo shops sell little schema grills to clamp onto our viewfinders; and the Golden Rule will never be found etched on our ground glass." from The mind's eye by Henri Cartier-Bresson

    My Web Site: www.readingr.com

    DSLR
    Canon 5D; EF100-400 F4.5-5.6L IS USM; EF24-70 F2.8L USM 50mm F1.8 II; EF 100 F2.8 Macro
    Digital
    Canon Powershot Pro 1; Canon Ixus 100


  19. #44
    project forum co-moderator Frog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    wa state
    Posts
    11,195

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    I don't know if I'm enlightened or this headache I'm getting is from trying to figure out if it is important or not. I imagine it is sometimes but I usually get satisfactory or even good results just making sure that what I want in sharpest focus is my focal point and adjust f/stop to broaden or narrow the focus.
    I can see where/when it might be critical but I also think that those times are few unless maybe you are using film. I do wish that modern lenses and cameras had those scales on them as well as split screen focus which I've never figured out why they were removed.
    Keep Shooting!

    CHECK OUT THE PHOTO PROJECT FORUM
    http://forums.photographyreview.com/...splay.php?f=34

    Please refrain from editing my photos without asking.

  20. #45
    Nature/Wildlife Forum Co-Moderator Loupey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Central Ohio
    Posts
    7,856

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    Paula - there just isn't room to put the scales on current zoom lenses. You have to imagine that the scale changes as the focal length changes so you end up having a "curved scale".

    But as I mentioned, some primes still have them (see below, from Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L). In this example, at f/16 my DOF would extend from just over 1 meter to infinity. So much easier than using any chart.

    Lastly, on the Canon system isn't there a feature where you focus on the closest subject then focus on the farthest subject and then the camera figures out the proper settings? I never used it but I seem to recall this feature being available somewhere on some cameras. AutoDOF or something like that. Kinda would solve your issue
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Hyperfocus.  Do you?-dof-chart-eos.jpg  
    Please do not edit or repost my images.

    See my website HERE.


    What's a Loupe for anyway?

  21. #46
    Nature/Wildlife Forum Co-Moderator Loupey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Central Ohio
    Posts
    7,856

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    Quote Originally Posted by Shebang
    Also - exactly what do you mean by "use the LCD playback"? Am I missing something or am I just too blind to see what's in focus and what's not on that little thing??
    By that I meant shoot a scene, review the image on your LCD at high magnification (no need to squint since you can zoom way into an image) and see if everything looks "right" to you. If not, just adjust your focus and/or aperture and repeat until you get it right. One reason why they took the DOF marks off the lenses is because we all have instant feedback on our shots. With film we had to use scales, charts, etc. so that we were highly sure we got it right - until we received our film back from processing 1 week later
    Please do not edit or repost my images.

    See my website HERE.


    What's a Loupe for anyway?

  22. #47
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Oologah, Oklahoma
    Posts
    1,360

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    Roger, Frog & Loupey and all:

    I do finally "get" the concept of hyperfocus and DOF. I don't "get" how those of you who don't use either a DOF calculator and a yardstick, or use a lens with a "real" DOF scale on it, are putting this concept into practical use in the field.

    All I really know for sure is I'm not getting the tack-sharp focus that I see on a regular basis on this forum. I don't care how I get it -- I'm lazy. Easy would be good. Though I've improved, somehow, I'm still missing the focus "boat." I am going to experiment more with the LCD ideas suggested -- and that A-DEP thing, Loupey. I did read that that was worthless, but maybe the writer doesn't really know.

    I'm continuing to read, re-read and experiment. I've got a camera and a lens that is capable -- I just need the skill. My present main photography goal is to achieve sharp focus.

    I'm :blush2: that I'm having such a tough time with this, and I really, really appreciate your efforts to help -- I do tend to go all OCD at times:blush2: Sorry for the headache, Frog...
    ________________________
    Paula

    Your editing is welcomed. A picture is worth...


    All can look. Few will see. Less will know.

    The Truth can be anything it will. I just want to know Truth.

  23. #48
    project forum co-moderator Frog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    wa state
    Posts
    11,195

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    What shots are you not getting the "tack sharp" focus on?
    Are you using a tripod?
    Are you using the timer when using the tripod?
    Are you sharpening the shots in post processing?
    Keep Shooting!

    CHECK OUT THE PHOTO PROJECT FORUM
    http://forums.photographyreview.com/...splay.php?f=34

    Please refrain from editing my photos without asking.

  24. #49
    Senior Shooter Greg McCary's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Rome Ga.
    Posts
    10,550

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    Shebang the best thing to remember is not just throw the camera up and let it focus to infinity. This can lead to soft images. When I am shooting a zoom without the scale I focus on an object about one third the way into the shot, I press the shutter half way letting the camera focus and then compose the shot and then shoot. And just as Loupe wrote, I check the LCD screen by magnifying it to check for sharpness. Newer digital lenses are all such higher quality than some in the past it really is a mood point. The only time I ever really hyper focus is if I am shooting a manual focus camera.
    I am like Barney Fife, I have a gun but Andy makes me keep the bullet in my pocket..

    Sony a99/a7R

  25. #50
    Senior Member readingr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Basingstoke UK
    Posts
    4,564

    Re: Hyperfocus. Do you?

    Quote Originally Posted by Shebang
    Roger, Frog & Loupey and all:
    All I really know for sure is I'm not getting the tack-sharp focus that I see on a regular basis on this forum. I don't care how I get it -- I'm lazy. Easy would be good. Though I've improved, somehow, I'm still missing the focus "boat." I am going to experiment more with the LCD ideas suggested -- and that A-DEP thing, Loupey. I did read that that was worthless, but maybe the writer doesn't really know.
    Shebang,

    Why don't you post an example or two with EXIF data so we can assess what your doing wrong. That will give you more help than the theoetical stuff that's been discussed.

    Some things I have learnt from experience

    Sharpness can be a lens problem, my 24-70L recently had a problem and I found out that the screws on the baseplate of the lens needed a bit of tightening.

    The diopter is not adjusted correctly on the viewfinder

    Speed - needing a tripod

    Tripod - not sturdy enough for the weight of camera and lens

    DOF not high enough to capture what you want

    Not using the timer to take the photo and stand away from the tripod to minimise shake

    Traffic or wind rocking the tripod on long exposures, I have used this to create an effect that some people liked, and hang my rucksack underneath to add weight at times to stop the rocking.

    Lack of experience of when the light just won't let you take the photo you want with pin sharpness with the available kit.

    and the list goes on - I am still learning.

    Roger R.
    "I hope we will never see the day when photo shops sell little schema grills to clamp onto our viewfinders; and the Golden Rule will never be found etched on our ground glass." from The mind's eye by Henri Cartier-Bresson

    My Web Site: www.readingr.com

    DSLR
    Canon 5D; EF100-400 F4.5-5.6L IS USM; EF24-70 F2.8L USM 50mm F1.8 II; EF 100 F2.8 Macro
    Digital
    Canon Powershot Pro 1; Canon Ixus 100


Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •