Depth of Field Calculator

Calculate the depth of field for your camera settings. Determine the near and far limits of acceptable sharpness based on aperture, focal length, and subject distance. Essential tool for photographers to control focus range in their images.

About Depth of Field Calculator

Understanding Depth of Field

Depth of field (DoF) is a fundamental concept in photography that describes the range of distance in which objects appear acceptably sharp in an image. It's the zone of sharpness before and after the focal plane - essential for creating both tack-sharp landscapes and beautifully blurred portrait backgrounds.

When you focus your camera on a subject, there's actually a range of distance in which objects appear sharp, not just a single point. This range extends approximately one-third in front of the focused distance and two-thirds behind it, though this ratio can vary based on specific conditions.

Key Terms:

Focal Plane: The exact distance at which you're focusing
Circle of Confusion: The largest blur spot that still appears sharp
Hyperfocal Distance: The focus distance providing maximum DoF
Bokeh: The aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas
Field of View: The angle of view captured by the lens

Factors Affecting Depth of Field

Several interrelated factors influence the depth of field in your images. Understanding these elements helps you control exactly how much of your image appears in focus.

Primary Factors

Factor	Effect on DoF
Aperture	Smaller f-number = Less DoF
Focus Distance	Closer focus = Less DoF
Focal Length	Longer focal length = Less DoF
Sensor Size	Larger sensor = Less DoF

Common Aperture Values

f-stop	Typical Use
f/1.4 - f/2.8	Portraits, low light
f/4 - f/5.6	General purpose
f/8 - f/11	Landscape, architecture
f/16 - f/22	Maximum DoF (with diffraction)

Creative Applications

Depth of field is a powerful creative tool in photography. By controlling how much of your image is in focus, you can direct viewer attention and create specific moods or effects in your photographs.

Genre-specific Applications

Genre	Typical DoF Usage
Portrait	Shallow, f/1.4 - f/2.8
Landscape	Deep, f/8 - f/11
Macro	Very shallow, focus stacking
Street	Moderate, f/4 - f/8

Technical Considerations

The technical aspects of depth of field involve complex optical principles, but understanding a few key concepts can help you make better decisions in the field.

Technical Tips:

Diffraction reduces overall sharpness at very small apertures (high f-numbers)
Focus stacking can overcome DoF limitations in macro photography
The "sweet spot" of most lenses is 2-3 stops down from maximum aperture
Hyperfocal focusing maximizes DoF in landscape photography
Crop sensors provide more DoF at equivalent focal lengths and apertures

Frequently Asked Questions

What is depth of field?

Depth of field (DoF) refers to the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a photo that appears acceptably sharp. A larger depth of field means more of your image is in focus, while a shallow depth of field creates a blurred background effect often desired in portrait photography.

What affects depth of field?

Three main factors affect depth of field: aperture (f-stop), focal length, and subject distance. A wider aperture (smaller f-number) creates a shallower depth of field. Longer focal lengths and closer subject distances also decrease depth of field. The sensor size of your camera also plays a role, with larger sensors capable of producing shallower depth of field.

Why is my background not blurry enough?

If you're trying to achieve a blurry background (shallow depth of field), try: using a wider aperture (smaller f-number like f/1.8), moving closer to your subject, using a longer focal length lens, or using a camera with a larger sensor. The combination of these factors will help create more background blur (bokeh).

What is hyperfocal distance?

Hyperfocal distance is the focusing distance that gives you the maximum depth of field for a given aperture and focal length. When you focus at the hyperfocal distance, everything from half that distance to infinity will be acceptably sharp. This is particularly useful in landscape photography.

Which aperture should I use for landscape photography?

For landscape photography, where you typically want a large depth of field to keep everything in focus, use a smaller aperture (larger f-number) like f/8 to f/11. However, avoid going too small (e.g., f/22) as this can cause diffraction, reducing overall image sharpness. The optimal aperture often depends on your specific lens.

Additional Resources

Understanding Depth of Field in Photography Mastering Depth of Field