Hyperfocal focusing with an EOS350D and kit lens

[cmosman]

Can anyone offer any advise on using the Hyperfocal focusing technique with a lens that has no guide markings, such as the 18-55mm kit lens with my EOS350D.

Is it just the case of manual focus and turn the focus ring just a small amount take a picture, a little bit more etc etc and then keep the best result?

Or this is the case of go out and buy a decent lens?

Any comments would be appreciated.

[eastcoast909]

Not quite sure why you want to use a hyperfocus technique with this lens. It should auto focus just fine. If it is a depth of field issue then use the different f-stops to get the depth required.

Can you give and example of what situation you would like to use a hyperfocal technique?

[slin100]

Hyperfocusing is used to achieve maximum depth of field at a specific aperture. Given that distance scales are next to useless on Canon EF lenses (oh why didn't Canon make them like they used with Canon FD lenses), it's not that easy to set a lens to the hyperfocal distance.

One technique you can try is to set the camera to A-DEP mode and focus. The camera will focus the lens and select an aperture that will render everything under all focus points in focus. If you place the focus points properly in the scene the camera should focus to the hyperfocal distance. Then, switch out of A-DEP, make any necessary exposure adjustments and shoot. Make sure the camera is set to not refocus. You may have to switch to Manual Focus or remap focus to the * button. I'm not sure if you can do the latter on a 350D.

[Willie]

You can remap the focus to * through CF. I think it's number 4.

[cmosman]

Thanks for the replies.

I am looking to maximize depth of field in landscape photo's. Much reading has mentions of this technique, but without any lens guide marking it is not much use.

I will try the * button focus approach, plus the A-DEP mode and see how my results look.

Again thanks for all your comments