Depth of Field Calculator

Depth of Field Formula:

\[ DOF = \frac{2 N c v²}{f²} \]

F-number (N):

unitless

Circle of Confusion (c):

meters

Object Distance (v):

meters

Focal Length (f):

meters

Depth of Field (DOF):

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1. What is Depth of Field?

Depth of Field (DOF) is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in an image. It is a crucial concept in photography and cinematography for controlling focus and creative expression.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Depth of Field formula:

\[ DOF = \frac{2 N c v²}{f²} \]

Where:

\( DOF \) — Depth of Field (meters)
\( N \) — F-number (unitless)
\( c \) — Circle of Confusion (meters)
\( v \) — Object Distance (meters)
\( f \) — Focal Length (meters)

Explanation: This formula calculates the approximate depth of field based on key photographic parameters, helping photographers understand how much of their scene will be in focus.

3. Importance of Depth of Field Calculation

Details: Understanding and controlling depth of field is essential for creative photography. It allows photographers to isolate subjects with shallow DOF or keep entire scenes in focus with deep DOF, depending on the artistic intent.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter F-number (aperture), circle of confusion (typically 0.00003m for full-frame cameras), object distance, and focal length. All values must be positive numbers in the correct units.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is Circle of Confusion?
A: Circle of Confusion is the maximum diameter that a point of light can be dispersed on the sensor while still being perceived as in focus. It depends on sensor size and viewing conditions.

Q2: How does aperture affect depth of field?
A: Smaller F-numbers (wider apertures like f/1.8) create shallower depth of field, while larger F-numbers (narrower apertures like f/16) create deeper depth of field.

Q3: What is the relationship between focal length and DOF?
A: Longer focal lengths generally produce shallower depth of field at the same aperture and distance, while wider lenses produce deeper depth of field.

Q4: How does subject distance affect DOF?
A: Closer subject distances result in shallower depth of field, while farther distances result in deeper depth of field with all other settings equal.

Q5: Is this formula accurate for all situations?
A: This provides an approximate calculation. More precise calculations consider additional factors like pupil magnification and focus breathing, but this formula is suitable for most photographic applications.