Hyperfocal distance for landscapes
Focus exactly at the hyperfocal distance and everything from half that distance to infinity is sharp. The table is for the selected sensor.
| Focal length |
f/8 | f/11 | f/16 |
| 14 mm |
2.7 ft | 2.0 ft | 1.4 ft |
| 16 mm |
3.6 ft | 2.6 ft | 1.8 ft |
| 24 mm |
8.0 ft | 5.8 ft | 4.0 ft |
| 35 mm |
16.9 ft | 12.3 ft | 8.5 ft |
| 50 mm |
34.3 ft | 25.0 ft | 17.3 ft |
How we calculate depth of field
The hyperfocal distance is H = f² / (N × c) + f, where f is the focal length, N the aperture and c the circle of confusion. The sharpness limits are: near = s × (H - f) / (H + s - 2f), far = s × (H - f) / (H - s), where s is the subject distance. When s is equal to H or larger, the far limit is at infinity.
We use the circle of confusion from typical DOF tables (the Zeiss standard): 0.030 mm for full frame, and 0.030 mm divided by the crop factor, rounded, for other sensors. It assumes a print viewed from a normal distance. On a large print or when viewed up close, real sharpness ends sooner, so treat the result as a guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is depth of field?
It is the range of distances from the camera in which objects look sharp in the photo. You focus on exactly one distance, but the image loses sharpness gradually in front of it and behind it, and up to a point the eye does not notice. That range is the depth of field, often shortened to DOF.
What does depth of field depend on?
On three things: aperture, subject distance and focal length. A smaller aperture (higher f-number), a longer distance and a shorter focal length all give more depth. Sensor size works indirectly: for the same framing a smaller sensor needs a shorter focal length, so the depth grows.
What is hyperfocal distance and how do you use it?
It is the closest focus distance that keeps everything sharp to infinity. Everything from half that distance onward is sharp. For landscapes you set it manually: f/11 and 24 mm on full frame gives about 5.8 ft (1.8 m), so it is sharp from about 2.9 ft (0.9 m) to the horizon. The table above lists values for common focal lengths.
Why does a smaller sensor give more depth of field with the same framing?
To get the same framing from the same distance, a smaller sensor needs a proportionally shorter focal length. Depth of field then grows by roughly the crop factor. That is why a smartphone or Micro Four Thirds camera has more depth at the same aperture, while full frame and medium format blur the background more easily.
What aperture for portraits and what for landscapes?
For portraits usually f/1.8 to f/2.8: the thin depth separates the person from the background, but in a close-up you must hit the eye. For groups, f/4 to f/5.6 keeps everyone sharp. For landscapes f/8 to f/11, because at very small apertures (f/16 and beyond) diffraction softens the image.