Depth of Field Calculator
Near limit, far limit, and the hyperfocal distance that keeps a landscape sharp to the horizon.
How it works
Depth of field is the zone that looks acceptably sharp around your focus point. It depends on focal length, aperture, focus distance and the sensor's circle of confusion — which is why the same lens behaves differently on a phone and a medium-format back. Focus at the hyperfocal distance and everything from half that distance to infinity is sharp: the landscape photographer's standard move.
FAQ
- What is the hyperfocal distance?
- The closest focus distance at which the far limit of sharpness reaches infinity. Focus there and sharpness runs from half the hyperfocal distance to the horizon — the most depth a given lens and aperture can give.
- Which circle of confusion do you use?
- The conventional d/1500 figure per sensor: 0.030 mm for full frame, 0.020 mm for APS-C, 0.015 mm for Micro Four Thirds. Pixel-peeping at 100% needs a stricter value; large prints viewed from a distance tolerate a looser one.
- Does diffraction matter?
- Past about f/11 on full frame (earlier on small sensors), diffraction softens the whole image even as depth of field grows. Two stops in from the smallest aperture is usually the sweet spot.