DOF Focusing Distance

I was wondering what tools or techniques anyone uses to focus on a distance after working out DOF/Hyperfocal distance?

I've seen several tools on how to calculate but for instance the distance markers on my lenses are not really that significant so its not easy to just rotate to a particular distance. hope this makes sense........

Rog

Hi Rog,
FWIW I estimate the hyperfocal distance based on say f11. Then dial in an aperture of f16 for the shot. That gives me a little leeway if I'm slightly out in my estimation.

Thanks Trevor. I downloaded the DOFmaster for Windows and got wrapped up in how do you set the distance with some accurancy except on a lens with detailed distances marked, hence how do people do it?

one of those questions which will be bugging me for a while.....

Rog

If you want to set the focus to say 20m, pick an object that's 20m away and focus on it.

Or have I missed something?

No thats right Stewart but rather than estimate where 20m is and other than measuring with tape for example.......I guess it's being more precise about where "20m" is.......

I saw an interesting little article about how to make a distance measuring guide based on an individual lens but that seemed a bit much to have to make the measuring guide for each lens.

If you haven't got a distance scale on your lens, then its really a case of using your judgement as to where 10ft or whatever, is. Bear in mind if you're using a wideangle lens you can focus to about 2ft and everything will be sharp.

Depth-of-field is a mathematical concept based on arbitrary assumptions. Try not to get bogged down with attempts to be precise.

If you want to focus at HFD, just find something that you estimate to be about that distance away and focus on it. Using measuring tapes, laser range finders and micrometers in this process won't necessarily help you make better pictures.

The reason I picked 20m as an example is because that's the length of a cricket pitch. Everybody has a good feel for the length of a cricket pitch, right? So visualising how far away 20m is should be reasonably straightforward, and from there you csan judge 10m, 5m, 40m, etc....

Nice one Stewart, like that idea......mind you, I'm still on 22yds!!!!!!

Well actually the Laws of Cricket still specify 22yds. Like Curtis said, it's not an exact science. And I thought I'd use metres just to alienate our American friends still further...

I've seen crickets jump and heard them chirp, but I've never seen one pitch.

The American standard would be the the standard 60 ft. bowling lane (foul line to center of first pin).

Or 60 feet 6 inches from the pitcher plate to the back of home plate.

To many people, a cricket pitch is hallowed ground and anyone who was around watching the Ashes series last year would testify to some enthralling TV.

It's a joy to behold sometimes Curtis but can be very frustrating!!!!! A 5 day match that turns out as a draw..........ah well, that's cricket for you.......