Capture the World with the Golden Distance of Sharp Photos: Hyperfocal Distance | Knowledge #250
Cover photo by ICHIHO
Have you ever wanted to take a photo where everything is in focus, regardless of the genre—snapshots, landscapes, architecture? The key to fulfilling this wish is the 'hyperfocal distance'. This concept is essential for pan-focus photography, and understanding it will liberate you from the days of struggling with focus.
This time, we will introduce the mechanism, application, and even the formulas useful in the field.
What is Hyperfocal Distance?
Hyperfocal distance is the most effective distance for focusing at a given aperture and focal length. Focusing at this distance allows the range from 'half of the hyperfocal distance' to 'infinity' to appear in focus.
Photo by ksk_1990
For example, when using a 28mm wide-angle lens at F8 on a full-frame sensor, focusing at approximately 2.5m will result in sharpness from 1.25m to infinity.
Understanding Hyperfocal Distance with Formulas
Hyperfocal distance can be derived using the following formula:
Dh = f² / (F × c)- Dh: Hyperfocal distance (mm)
- f: Focal length of the lens (mm)
- F: Aperture value (F-number)
- c: Circle of confusion diameter (mm, depends on sensor size)
For example, calculating with a 28mm lens, F8, and full-frame (CoC ≒ 0.03mm):
Dh = (28 × 28) / (8 × 0.03)
= 784 / 0.24
= 3266.6... ≒ 3277 mm ≒ approximately 3.3 m
This means focusing at 3.3m will keep everything from 1.65m to infinity in focus. For APS-C, CoC is about 0.02mm, allowing for pan-focus effect from a shorter distance under the same conditions.
Photo by .aco.
Compatibility with Pan-focus
Pan-focus is a photographic expression that 'loads information onto the entire screen'. The key to this is hyperfocal distance. Using this technique, you can simultaneously depict foreground flowers and distant mountains in landscapes, pillars and distant spaces in architecture, and people and cityscapes in snapshots.
In essence, hyperfocal distance is a 'visual blueprint' that enables photos to tell real relationships in a single image.
