Manual Hyperfocal Distances... help?!?!

Can anyone explain to me what the numbers in white (22 11 | 11 22)mean? Also, according to what I've read, I need to focus to 12.2' for focus between 6' and infinity at f/11. How do I judge 12.2' on this scale that jumps from 6.5' to infinity?

IMAGE LINK: http://s116.photobucke​t.com …to-1_zps4f94c7cf.jpg.html

The little numbers printed next to the distance scale indicate the DOF you will get at f/11 and f/22. So for example, suppose you set the infinity hash mark next to the 22 on the right, then every thing from there down to whatever number lines up with the 22 mark on the left should be in focus.

But this all uses Canon's definition of DOF, which I think is based on smallish prints held at arms length. Canon DOF seems to be much bigger than what you get from most online DOF calculators, which in turn I still think is too big. If you really want the apparent DOF (IMO) of a large print that will be scrutinized closely, then you need to make the CoC about 1/3 the size used in most online DOF calculators.

As for the other question, what can you do about the sparseness of the scale? Nothing really. The fact is that autofocus lenses just don't work well for manual focus work. They have very short, fast throws from MFD to infinity and there just isn't room on the distance scale for precision.

If you use an old manual focus lens you will see the difference, because they will require a lot more turning from MFD to infinity and they will have generally usable DOF scales.

I recommend literally using the autofocus to focus on an item at about the right distance for what you are doing, and pretty much ignore the distance scale. So in your case, if you are happy with the DOF you get from your online calculator then focus on a tree that is 12 feet away and at f/11 you will get what the calculator predicts.

JeffreyG wrote in post #16493026
The little numbers printed next to the distance scale indicate the DOF you will get at f/11 and f/22. So for example, suppose you set the infinity hash mark next to the 22 on the right, then every thing from there down to whatever number lines up with the 22 mark on the left should be in focus.

But this all uses Canon's definition of DOF, which I think is based on smallish prints held at arms length. Canon DOF seems to be much bigger than what you get from most online DOF calculators, which in turn I still think is too big. If you really want the apparent DOF (IMO) of a large print that will be scrutinized closely, then you need to make the CoC about 1/3 the size used in most online DOF calculators.

As for the other question, what can you do about the sparseness of the scale? Nothing really. The fact is that autofocus lenses just don't work well for manual focus work. They have very short, fast throws from MFD to infinity and there just isn't room on the distance scale for precision.

If you use an old manual focus lens you will see the difference, because they will require a lot more turning from MFD to infinity and they will have generally usable DOF scales.

I recommend literally using the autofocus to focus on an item at about the right distance for what you are doing, and pretty much ignore the distance scale.

Ahhhhhhhh OK, thanks very much! So at f/11, in order to get hyperfocal distance, I set the infinity marker to the 11 on the right and I'm set.

shedberg wrote in post #16493029
Ahhhhhhhh OK, thanks very much! So at f/11, in order to get hyperfocal distance, I set the infinity marker to the 11 on the right and I'm set.

In theory yes, but pay attention to what JeffreyG says - the Canon marks are a bit generous as far as DOF is concerned and you may consider the far distance to be not acceptably sharp when you use that method. It's probably worth experimenting before depending on the marks for an important shot.

Madweasel wrote in post #16493104
In theory yes, but pay attention to what JeffreyG says - the Canon marks are a bit generous as far as DOF is concerned and you may consider the far distance to be not acceptably sharp when you use that method. It's probably worth experimenting before depending on the marks for an important shot.

OK, will do. In the photo above, I had auto focused on something 12' away at f/11. The infinity marker is slightly to the left of the 11, so I guess that's my spot.

That's what I do for landscapes when using hyperfocal distance, decide on aperture, once decided I check what hyperfocal distance is for that aperture, I then focus on something slightly further than that distance to allow for error when guessing distance.