Landscape focusing

What techniques do people use when focusing for a landscape shot? I've heard that you can achieve the largest DOF by focusing 1/3 of the way into the image, how do you judge this?

How many of you set the hyperfocal distance?

When im taking a landscape, i use a pretty small aperture and focus about halfway in the middle of the scene. I have pretty good results like that.

There is always twice as much in focus behind the focus point as there is in front of it, therefore, focusing 1/3 of the way through your subject will get as much as possible of the subject in focus. Doesn't increase the DOF, just a rule for maxing it around the subject.

Print up a hyperfocal chart to help.

For most landscape work you'll want to use a smaller aperture, say f16.
There are a number of hyperfocal distance charts on the web. Search for 'hyperfocal' on google.
At the wider end of your 24-105 the hyperfocal distance is quite short, so its fairly easy to guestimate. E.g at 24mm, f11 the hyperfocal distance is about 9 ft. If you then set your aperture at f16 it gives you a margin for error.

Thanks for all your advice!

You're absolutely right! What I meant to say is that focusing 1/3 of the way into the image will keep more of the scene in the plane of acceptable focus.

But what focusing methods do you use? AF, MF, tape measure etc...?

I use either manual focus or pick an object at the right distance and use AF

TotalBeginner:
I made my own hyperfocal que card. Even though it is inaccurate because it was for 35mm and medium format, and I kindly acknowledge stealing the data from Lee Frost and and Bob Atkins, it will really TRAIN you and get you in the ball park.
I print it out, fold in half, laminate, and keep in my camera bag. When it wears out, or I give it away to someone who wants it, I print it again!.

Maybe it will get you on more solid footing. Right-click download. Enjoy. Jack.
http://postit.rutgers.​edu …Hyperfocal%5FFo​cusing.pdf