Depth Of Field Calculator

Depth of Field Formula:

\[ DOF = \frac{2 N c f^2 s^2}{f^4 - N^2 c^2 s^2} \]

F-number (N):

(e.g., 2.8, 5.6, 11)

Circle of Confusion (c):

Focal Length (f):

Subject Distance (s):

Depth of Field (DOF):

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1. What is Depth of Field?

Depth of Field (DOF) is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in an image. It is a crucial concept in photography that affects how much of your image is in focus.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Depth of Field formula:

\[ DOF = \frac{2 N c f^2 s^2}{f^4 - N^2 c^2 s^2} \]

Where:

\( N \) — F-number (aperture setting)
\( c \) — Circle of confusion (mm)
\( f \) — Focal length (mm)
\( s \) — Subject distance (mm)

Explanation: The formula calculates how much of the scene will be in focus based on camera settings and subject distance.

3. Importance of Depth of Field Calculation

Details: Understanding and controlling depth of field is essential for creative photography. It helps photographers isolate subjects with shallow DOF or ensure everything is in focus with deep DOF.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the f-number (aperture), circle of confusion (typically 0.029-0.035mm for full-frame cameras), focal length, and subject distance. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is circle of confusion?
A: The circle of confusion is the maximum diameter that a point of light can be dispersed and still be perceived as a point. It's typically between 0.029-0.035mm for full-frame cameras.

Q2: How does aperture affect depth of field?
A: Smaller f-numbers (wider apertures) create shallower depth of field, while larger f-numbers (narrower apertures) create deeper depth of field.

Q3: How does focal length affect depth of field?
A: Longer focal lengths create shallower depth of field at the same aperture and distance, while wider lenses create deeper depth of field.

Q4: What's the hyperfocal distance?
A: The hyperfocal distance is the focus distance that maximizes depth of field, making everything from half that distance to infinity appear acceptably sharp.

Q5: Can I use this calculator for any camera?
A: Yes, but you need to adjust the circle of confusion value based on your camera's sensor size. Smaller sensors typically use smaller circle of confusion values.