Hyperfocal Help!

[cowman345]

Ok, I have a nice handy little hyperfocal chart that I'm using with a 10D and a Sigma 17-35mm EX.

Problem: How can I focus to, say, 5.723 feet when my markings on the lens are a shabby 2, 3, 5, 10, inf feet?

Is there a way in-camera to view acurate subject distance, and for that matter, focal lengths (on zoom lenses without clear markings)?

-dave-

[robertwgross]

Well, you know how to make the lens work for normal autofocus operation, right?

Now you want to make the lens work for manual focus, right? And you want to set the focus point for some exact distance, right?

I don't think there is anything in the camera or in the lens that will tell the user that in advance. After the shot, you can look in the EXIF data, and for some cameras with some lenses, you will get some of the range data ... maybe.

I've always found hyperfocal charts to be inaccurate and difficult to use with any precision, at least for my equipment. So, I have used hyperfocal distance focus in principle only. I've never tried to manually focus for an exact distance in feet. However, you can place a substitute focus target anywhere in your field of view, in front or in back of the main subject. Then manually focus on it (by eye). Then remove the target and shoot your subject. It is just a thought.

---Bob Gross---

[Scottes]

I just have a tendency to auto-focus on something slightly closer than what I want to be in focus, recompose and shoot.

Let's say I have a tree that I want to have in focus, and then everything from that tree to infinity. I'll aim at the ground halfway to the tree and press the shutter half-way to focus, then recompose and shoot. Of course this can throw off metering, so be prepared for that. Check the variance between the focus scene and the real scene and dial in the difference via EC.

If you don't have this kind of time between shots, but you have some time before you start taking shots, then AF at something that's close to the hyperfocal distance and then switch the lens to MF and fire away.

[PacAce]

I just have a tendency to auto-focus on something slightly closer than what I want to be in focus, recompose and shoot.

Let's say I have a tree that I want to have in focus, and then everything from that tree to infinity. I'll aim at the ground halfway to the tree and press the shutter half-way to focus, then recompose and shoot. Of course this can throw off metering, so be prepared for that. Check the variance between the focus scene and the real scene and dial in the difference via EC.

If you don't have this kind of time between shots, but you have some time before you start taking shots, then AF at something that's close to the hyperfocal distance and then switch the lens to MF and fire away.

I guess this is where assigning the "*" button with CFn04 for focusing really comes in handy.

[Scottes]

I guess this is where assigning the "*" button with CFn04 for focusing really comes in handy.

Hey, good point. But do all lenses support this? I though many didn't.

[cmM]

Well...
those charts aren't "dead on" either, they are made with some sort of approximation. You always, want to focus a little beyond the hyperfocal distance (if you focus in front, then there's a chance that the far objects won't be sharp).

Check out this article
http://dfleming.ameranet.com/hyperfocal.html

BTW, you know how I found it?
"All the best links" thread on top of the page ;). A lot of good stuff in that thread

[cowman345]

Thanks for the help, I guess I'll have to "wing it" a bit.

-dave-

[psk4363]

Hi Dave,

You might find this link useful as it refers to charts, lenses with distance scales and those without with several examples.

Cheers,
Barry

[psk4363]

Oops - here's the link: -

http://dfleming.ameranet.com/hyperfocal.html

Sorry,
Barry