DOF calculator


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CamInit

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Nov 3, 2009
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Most DOF calculators i came across so far calculates the dof measurements as a result.

Is there one that does the reverse? I key in the subject distance, minimum near or far limit of acceptable sharpness and it calculates range of f-stop and/or focal lengths to achieve it. Is it doable?

An app like this for android phones (or any other mobile phones) would seem pretty handy.
 

ive seen that on iphone.. i have the app
 

Any online versions or for android phones? I can only find 3 on the android market.
 

theres this little button on the camera, its called depth-of-field preview.
look into it ;p
 

theres this little button on the camera, its called depth-of-field preview.
look into it ;p

Yes, I know but it's much faster to reverse calculate and then decide from the range of settings if the subject and the background could not be moved. DOF preview seems more like trial-and-error to me.
 

Either way, if you need that amount of exact knowledge and precise control, you will first need to know that exact subject to lens distance. Then comes the question ... is the subject to front of the lens, subject to diaphragm or subject to sensor/film plane the correct one to calculate? And then what if the subject is on a transverse orientation, and possesses measurable depth? Do you calculate from the front of the subject, the middle or the rear? :sweatsm:

I don't think the terms 'handy', 'speed' or 'convenience' belong in the equation if precision is required.
 

I don't need it down to the exact centimeter (not that anal and not doing macros), but it helps to get a good initial estimate using the calculator, so at least I know what's feasible and what's not, no?

If say, I focus on object A at this subject distance with background B at a particular distance which I need to be oof. After framing at a particular focal length, at least the calculator might be hint to me whether 1) it's not possible and wasting time trial and error or 2) what are the possible f-stops to use. Something like that. If not possible, then I try another focal length and see. Better than moving the tripod and camera to retest everytime?
 

You might want to consider using a DOF graph chart.
 

You might want to consider using a DOF graph chart.

Agree on that. The formulas are available, use Excel (or any other tool) to get a table and plot the diagram from there. More here.
 

Dang! Looks like I still gotta go back referring to good old printouts and notebooks. Was hoping that some smart guy would've figured in this digital age to put all this into a digitized representation for portability.
:(
 

Dang! Looks like I still gotta go back referring to good old printouts and notebooks. Was hoping that some smart guy would've figured in this digital age to put all this into a digitized representation for portability.
:(

Print it on a t-shirt. Have seen some Nikon shirts with DOF table and Hyperfocal distance sheets. Just keep in mind to put on front :bsmilie:
 

Print it on a t-shirt. Have seen some Nikon shirts with DOF table and Hyperfocal distance sheets. Just keep in mind to put on front :bsmilie:

Think I'll print it laterally inverted... then got excuse to borrow mirror from any girl in the street to read :think:
:bsmilie:
 

Think I'll print it laterally inverted... then got excuse to borrow mirror from any girl in the street to read :think:
:bsmilie:

So, this DOF thing is use to shoot something along the street.
 

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