Hyperfocal Distance and DOF some expert advice needed

[HDNitehawk]

I just test the focus distance scale on my 24mm f/1.4 II and it was accurate. Keep in mind that the little line is thick on purpose -- it doesn't mean that the focus is exactly within the center of the line -- it means it can appear anywhere within the width of that line.

I will try the 24mm again some time this week. Most of my time with the 24mm I washard measuring not trying to use the scale. The 35mm I did both the scale and hard measure. But what I did notice on the 35mm lens is that once focused the scale showed I was closer than we actualy were, and for what it is worth in Adobe Bridge in the data it showed that the focus distance was closer than I measured.


The use I see for knowing what the hyperfocal distance is for a given lens, is if you want to take a picture of individuals or subjects close to you in focus and capture the background in a reasonable focus as well. For general landscapes you would try and just catch as much of the area in focus as you can. Am I missing somthing? Is there much more that can be done by using the hyperfocal distance?

[Daniel Browning]

Am I missing somthing? Is there much more that can be done by using the hyperfocal distance?

For me, liveview completely obsoletes all the hyperfocal distance stuff. All I need to do is zoom in 5X (for normal print size) or 10X (for large print size) and rack focus forward until the background is almost out of focus. Then I know for *certain* that I'm at the exact perfect hyperfocal distance. Of course, it's best if you have a tripod. []