Hyperfocal Distance Hyperfocal Distance refers to using the aperture selected and estimating the zone of deep or shallow depth-of-field by pre-focusing on a given point of focus rather than on the main subject itself. The pre-focusing point is calculated by using the infinity distance scale on the focusing ring of the lens in use in conjunction to the selected aperture value. See the sample photos of this page that show how the hyperfocal distance formula is being applied, using the FD 50mm f/1.4 standard lens and a FD 14mm f/2.8L super wide-angle lens as examples. On the photo of the FD 50mm f/1.4 lens, the aperture selected is f/8.0. To ensure how far the zone of depth-of-field extends at this aperture setting, turn the focusing ring until the infinity symbol is parallel to the f/8.0 index (right side) located between the focusing and aperture rings. Based on this f/8.0 aperture setting, you can see the depth-of-field will cover the distance from about 15 feet all the way to infinity -- which are the distances between the two f/8.0 indexes (left & right) on the 50mm lens. Now look at the two photos of the FD 14mm f/2.8L super wide-angle lens, the photo on the left has the selected aperture at f/11 and the second photo has the aperture selected at f/2.8. Notice the zones of sharpness covered in both apertures. As described in issue #3 on lenses and focal length, the depth-of-field is greater with wide-angle lenses at the same aperture settings (even wide open) compared to the standard or telephoto lenses. The Hyperfocal Distance technique is usually used by professionals in guessing the zone of focus when they are not sure of the distance the aperture they have selected will cover. This technique is still applied to photographers using the manual focus Canons and other non-EOS cameras. Most EF lenses has very limited or no marking for depth of field scale. That is because for EOS users, Canon has included one feature that is unique only to the EOS/EF lenses system and does away with the need to use the Hyperfocal Distance technique. This feature is known as the Depth-of-Field AE mode. << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 .