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4 minute read
What is Hyperfocal Distance?
Learn to control deep depth-of-field photos with hyperfocal distance — through calculation, execution and crucial considerations
Before putting hyperfocal distance into practice, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what it is and why it’s useful — especially in landscape photography. In the simplest terms, hyperfocal distance is the point of focus that provides the maximal acceptable sharpness for a given aperture, from foreground to infinity.
Diving deeper, three key terms are at play here: acceptable sharpness, given aperture and foreground to infinity.
The most obvious way to gauge acceptable sharpness is by eye. If any softness is visible then, by most standards, it is not an acceptably sharp photo. Aperture is important to consider because hyperfocal distance does not work miracles. At F1.4, you will never achieve a sharp focus 1m from the camera to the horizon. In this sense, foreground to infinity is relative. Focused accurately at the point of hyperfocal distance, everything from halfway between you and that point — all the way to infinity — will be sharp. As noted, at faster apertures, this may not cover the true foreground of your scene.
Photo 2019 © Emily Endean | FUJIFILM X-T3 and FUJINON XF14mmF2.8 R, 2 secs at F10, ISO 80
Why Use Hyperfocal Distance in Photography?
With the caveats above, this is a valuable question. The answer goes back to our simple definition. Hyperfocal distance helps you achieve the best result based on what you are working with. The choice to slow down the aperture, recompose, or choose a different lens is always available to you with proper planning.
That said, hyperfocal distance works best when options are limited, or preferences are strong. It lets image makers use central apertures, rather than slowing down entirely. Optical quality is almost always better within this aperture range. Plus, the additional light of a wider aperture means exposure times and ISO can be kept to a minimum.
Landscape photography is the most common use, but hyperfocal distance can also be valuable in many other genres. On the street, you can set a focal length and aperture, focus once, and know exactly what range your focus will cover for the rest of the session. Picture any scenario where you need reliable sharpness through the frame, across sports, nature, still life, weddings and beyond, and hyperfocal distance may just be the right technique.
The Hyperfocal Distance Chart
The chart below shows rough hyperfocal distances for popular X Series focal lengths at key apertures. You can screenshot it and carry it with you, create your own version based on your personal lens preferences, or simply use it to aid your understanding.
| F1.4 | F2 | F2.8 | F4 | F5.6 | F8 | F11 | F16 | |
| 8mm | 2.27m | 1.61m | 1.14m | 0.81m | 0.57m | 0.41m | 0.29m | 0.21m |
| 14mm | 6.94m | 4.91m | 3.48m | 2.46m | 1.75m | 1.24m | 0.88m | 0.63m |
| 16mm | 9.07m | 6.42m | 4.54m | 3.22m | 2.28m | 1.62m | 1.15m | 0.82m |
| 18mm | 11.48m | 8.12m | 5.75m | 4.07m | 2.88m | 2.04m | 1.45m | 1.03m |
| 23mm | 18.73m | 13.25m | 9.37m | 6.64m | 4.7m | 3.33m | 2.36m | 1.68m |
| 35mm | 43.35m | 30.66m | 21.69m | 15.35m | 10.86m | 7.69m | 6.11m | 3.86m |
| 50mm | 88.44m | 62.55m | 44.24m | 31.3m | 22.15m | 15.68m | 11.1m | 7.86m |
| 80mm | 226.35m | 160.08m | 113.22m | 80.08m | 56.65m | 40.08m | 28.36m | 20.08m |
| 200mm | 1414.4m | 1000.2m | 707.31m | 500.2m | 353.75m | 250.2m | 176.98m | 125.2m |
Remember, the values above are the hyperfocal distances, not the minimum desired point of sharp focus. Focusing at 0.81m using an 8mm lens at F4, for example, will leave everything from 0.40m to infinity acceptably sharp.
For the most accurate hyperfocal distance possible, use the mathematical equation for hyperfocal distance. You’ll need to know your lens focal length, preferred aperture and your camera’s circle of confusion.
Hyperfocal Distance = Focal Length² ÷ (Aperture x Circle of Confusion)
Photo 2023 © David Grover | FUJIFILM X-H2 and FUJINON XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR, 1/40 sec at F11, ISO 200
FUJIFILM X Series Focus Assist
Achieving hyperfocal distance ideally requires manual focusing. While the technique alone should suffice, X Series cameras have several helpful tools to help you nail critical focus.
First, there’s knowing where your focal plane is in terms of scene depth. That’s where the manual focus indicator, located at the bottom of the shooting display screen by default, comes in. A preference between metres and feet can be selected within SCREEN SET-UP > FOCUS SCALE UNITS and focus distance is denoted by a white line on the scale. Align this at your desired hyperfocal distance.
Digital Split Image and Digital Microprism may also be helpful. These tools offer different ways of visually ensuring focus is where you want it to be. Choose a subject at your hyperfocal distance, then use either focusing aid to make refined adjustments. As an alternative, Focus Peak Highlight creates a high-contrast outline in your preferred colour around all in-focus areas. Find these tools in AF/MF SETTING > MF ASSIST.
Photo 2019 © Emily Endean | FUJIFILM X-T3 and FUJINON XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS, 15 secs at F11, ISO 160
When to Use Hyperfocal Distance
Like any photographic technique, hyperfocal distance is only there to serve you when needed. It is most typically used for landscape and street scenes, where it can be exceptionally helpful — but only as far as fulfilling your artistic vision goes. Ultimately, you are always in control as the photographer.
Consider the composition of your scene, including depth-of-field. Out-of-focus areas can be as impactful as those in focus. With that said, when a situation demands the use of hyperfocal distance, now you know how.
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