What is the difference between H and V for Angle of View?

[oceandesigner]

On most lenses that I have been looking at, the Angle of View is given in 2 dimensions: H x V. Both are angles. I cannot find a description of the H vs V anywhere. All of the definitions I find for Angle of View, talk about only one angle (which I presume is H). Can someone please shed some light on this for me? Thanks - Jeff

[Belmondo]

On most lenses that I have been looking at, the Angle of View is given in 2 dimensions: H x V. Both are angles. I cannot find a description of the H vs V anywhere. All of the definitions I find for Angle of View, talk about only one angle (which I presume is H). Can someone please shed some light on this for me? Thanks - Jeff

You're right. Since horizontal (landscape) orientation is the default on virtually all camera, field of view would be measured on that axis.

[oceandesigner]

Thank you for your response. Do you know of any links that specifically define H and V?

[Belmondo]

Thank you for your response. Do you know of any links that specifically define H and V?

Well, I'm not entirely sure what you're asking. The ratio between H and V would be defined by the dimensions of your sensor. That varies between camera manufacturers and models. The two most common in digital cameras are 4:3 and 3:2, although I'm sure there are others.

[René Damkot]

IIRC correctly, angle of view is measured over the image diagonal.

[Belmondo]

IIRC correctly, angle of view is measured over the image diagonal.

You know, after I answered the question, that thought occurred to me, and I'm quite sure you're right.

Apologies for mis-information. (Being a moderator doesn't make me smart. :oops:)

[lostdoggy]

NOT just any run of the mill MOD either, SENIOR MODERATOR.

[Belmondo]

NOT just any run of the mill MOD either, SENIOR MODERATOR.

That is purely a reference to my advanced age.

[oceandesigner]

Well let me tell you what I am really after. I have a Fujinon lense, model CF12.5HA-1. At a focal length of 1/2", the Angle of View (H x V) is given as 28deg 43min x 21deg 44min. Both H and V are given, and I do not know what they mean. Isn't the field of view given by a conical shape, which would only be defined by one angle, not two, regardless of orientation. After thinking about your posts, it occurs to me that mabye HXV refers to the final dimensions of processed image, rather than the actual physical field of view of the lens.

I also have a CAD model of the camera setup. I would like to draw the field of view in the model. So I suppose the question is, should I use H or V? For what it is worth, the camera will be aligned horizontally.

Again, thanks for your help.

[PacAce]

I think the H x V angle of view is exactly what it says, the angle of view in the horizontal and the vertical directions, which might be more practical for some people compared to using the diagonal (or conical) AoV since the only part that's really visible with that are the corners of the frame and not too practical.

[cmM]

if your sensor was square, vertical and horizontal angles of view would be identical, but since the sensor can't capture everythin the lens sees, then you have to express the angles of view according to what can actually be captured.
Here's a quick sketch i made, maybe it'll help a little

[cmM]

wait, what the heck, i got those backwards.
On the sketch, vertical angle of view should be on the top right , and horizontal on the bottom right.
:o sorry

[oceandesigner]

Yeah I get it now. I was confused because I did not realize that the lense itsself had a directional bias. Thanks for all of your help.

Jeff

[Jon]

It's not the lens, really. It's just what the sensor can capture. The lens' AoV approximates the FF (unless EF-S, then it's APS-C, or TS-E when it's much larger) diagonal AoV. The sensor H&V AoV represent that portion of the full AoV which is captured on that particular sensor, be it FF, APS-H or APS-C.