Below is a Hyperfocal Distance Calculator, allowing you to easily find the optimal distance for your Focal Point (Focal Plane), in order to achieve maximum Depth of Field.
How to use the Depth of Field Calculator
Using this Hyperfocal Distance calculator is very easy, simply enter the required values indicated by the red “*“. There are also step by step instructions below the calculator if you need more assistance.
NOTE: I have also gone ahead and entered default values so that you can see the calculator update in real time, but feel free to change these to suit your settings and needs.
Step 1: Enter Camera Lens Data
First enter select an f/Stop (Aperture) value from the drop down list, then enter the Focal Length of your lens at which you are shooting. The calculator will do the rest for you.
Step 2: Enter Circle of Confusion Data (Optional)
The Hyperfocal Distance calculator also makes use of the Circle of Confusion (CoC), which is a technical term used in photography and optics to describe the acceptable level of blur, that is considered sharp or in focus in an image.
The CoC formula is, based on your camera’s Sensor Size, the Image Size (print or digital screen), the Viewing Distance, and the Visual Acuity (Line Pairs/mm) of the person viewing the image.
I have provided default values for the above variables in the calculator, based on the default Image Size of an 8×10” (254×203.2mm) print, viewed at the same distance as the Image Diagonal (325.279mm), shot using a full Frame Sensor (36mm x 24mm).
You are welcome to adjust these to your liking, especially the Image Size Width & Height, and the Viewing Distance.
Step 3: Enter Minimum Circle of Confusion Data (Optional)
The Minimum Circle of Confusion Check is an optional step that has no influence on the Hyperfocal Distance, Depth of Field or Circle of Confusion calculations.
Its purpose is to simple check that the Circle of Confusion value from Step 2 against this value.
- If the above Circle of Confusion value from Step 2 is Larger, then there will be Depth of Field blur in your image.
- If the above Circle of Confusion value from Step 2 is Smaller than this value, there will be NO Depth of Field Blur in the image.
To use it, simply enter the Image Resolution Width & Height (in Pixels) of your camera, to find out the Diagonal Length of 1 Pixel on your camera sensor. This is the smallest value that the Circle of Confusion can be to still produce DoF Blur.
See more detailed descriptions of each variable in the list below.
Hyperfocal Distance Calculator variables
Below are a short descriptions of each of the variables used in the above Hyperfocal Distance Calculator:
- Sensor Width and Height: The dimensions of the camera sensor, measured in millimeters. These values are important for calculating the Sensor Diagonal used in the CoC formula. The sensor width and height are typically provided in the camera’s specifications, however, for quick reference, here are general measurements of sensor sizes:
- Full Frame (36mm x 24mm)
- APS-C Cropped (23.5mm x 15.7mm)
- Micro 4/3 (17.3mm x 13mm)
- Sensor Diagonal: The diagonal length measurement (mm) of the camera sensor or film used to capture the image, based on the above Sensor Width and Height, calculated for you using the Pythagorean theorem.
- Image Width and Height: The dimensions of the image in millimeters, that will seen by the viewer, either as a physical print or on a digital screen such as a phone, computer, tablet or TV. These values are again used to calculating the Image Diagonal used in the CoC formula. I have inserted default values for an Image Size of an 8X10″ (254×203.2mm) print.
- Image Diagonal: The diagonal length measurement (mm) of the physical print or on a digital screen. For example a 48″ TV has a diagonal length of 48″ (1219.2mm). This is again based on the above Image Width and Height, calculated for you using the Pythagorean theorem.
- Viewing Distance: The physical distance between the viewer’s eye and the Image (print or digital screen), when it is being viewed. Note that a general rule of thumb is that the Viewing Distance should be the same as the Image Diagonal (known as the Image Magnification Factor). Thus, as a default, I have entered 325.279mm, which is the same as the Image Diagonal of an 8×10″ (254×203.2mm) print.
- Visual Acuity (LP/mm): The lens resolution, measured in Line Pairs per millimeter (LP/mm), which refers to the number of alternating black and white lines that can be resolved in one millimeter of the image by the viewer. This will change automatically based on what is entered into both the Image Width & Height, as well as the Viewing Distance, as distance from an object (in this case the image), as well as it size dictate how easily we can see it.
- Image Magnification Factor: The size of the Image (Print or Digital Screen) in relation to the Viewing Distance. If both are the same, the factor is 1 (1:1).
- Sensor Magnification Factor: The magnification or “enlargement” factor of the Image (Print or Digital Screen), compared to the camera sensor size.
If you would like to know how this formula works, as well as everything about Depth of Field and the Hyperfocal Distance, then check out my full masterclass course.
If you prefer a table of all possible Hyperfocal Distance values, then check out my Hyperfocal Distance Tables page instead. I also have a Depth of Field Calculator, so make sure to check that out as well
