DOF calculators

I have seen references on the web to DOF calculators. I would like to know more about them, their use and do they help in getting sharper photos? Thanks.

Well, they only do what they're designed to do

--> Calculate the depth of field from the parameters ( focal lenght, distance to subject, aperture ) you give to the software.

I have a DOF calculator in my phone, never actually used it when have been shooting but i have used it quite many times to get things sorted in my head for some shot or scenario in my mind.

It's a useful thing to have and play with, it gives you quite a good idea how the parameters affect the DOF.

For a complete newbie they are handy for understanding how shooting parameters affect the DOF. Kind of that "so that's why the second row of the group shot is OOF" kind of a revelation.

Once you understand the relationship, DOF calculators are most helpful for landscape photographers looking to determine how much they need to stop down to make a shot work.

Also note that if what you are trying to understand is the degree to which a background will appear blurry (like for portraits) then a blur disk calculator is better. Blur disk size relative to the circle of confusion gives a good idea of the OOF region appearance.

www.dofmaster.com