hyperfocal distance

K

kookooframe

Well-known member
I'm new to shooting in manual focus -- I heard that if you set a focus at the hyperfocal distance for the lens, and then zoom all the way out and stay zoomed out, the camera will have in focus anything from half the hyperfocal distance to infinity.

I've looked at the A1 specs in the manual, but I can't figure out what the hyperfocal distance is for the lens.

Could someone tell me what it is? And whether what I have stated is essentially correct?
 
Roughly speaking - for many zoom lenses, the rule of thumb is to focus about 5.5 feet from the camera... so long as one keeps the lens on the wide angle after focussing, and you are able to work to a decent f-stop - i.e. not wide open.

Its not science, but i have stuck to this rule for many years, shooting on a very wide variety of lenses, and formats from SP to HDCAM and its worked...

Chris D
 
thanks Justin and Chris. It's good to know you can depend on this method of manual focus in pressure situations, run-and-gun, etc.
 
ChrisDTV said:
Roughly speaking - for many zoom lenses, the rule of thumb is to focus about 5.5 feet from the camera... so long as one keeps the lens on the wide angle after focussing, and you are able to work to a decent f-stop - i.e. not wide open.

Its not science, but i have stuck to this rule for many years, shooting on a very wide variety of lenses, and formats from SP to HDCAM and its worked...

Chris D
Click to expand...

mmm...so what your saying is that at this distance , 5.5ft I can lock my focus and shoot if need be and most things will be clear? What the min. aperture would you recommend in adequate lighting? Thanks
 
Last edited:
Hi Andreaz,

Provided you keep the lens zoomed out to the wide angle then yes, it should work. I'd keep to f5.6 or more to be safe. BUT - always test this out with your camera beforehand - its best to get to know your lens so you are confident.
If I am shooting hand held - e.g. doing a walky-talky interview with lots of movement into CUs of the subject then out to a wide shot - I will often use this technique, but if I move really close (to CU) I will gently rack in the focus a bit to ensure they stay in focus, and then rack out again to abt 6ft when I move back to the wide.

Chris D
 
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