Hyperfocal or Point in distance

[fletch]

I kind of use it some of the time. With my 4/3rds camera the hyperfocal distances are very short once you start to close the aperture down to f/11 and f/16. Therefore when shooting landscapes I tend to focus about 1-2m away regardless of the subject distance. Its kind of using the hyperfocal method without being precise! Obvioulsy if I have some very close subjects then I have to do it properly and for protraits etc I just focus on the subject.

[PRH]

I'd like to think I focus on a point of interest, but I'd hate to admit that often its point and hope for the best

I've only been aware of the hyper-focal distance recently (last few months) as I've been doing more reading on depth of field. As I don't do much landscape photography so i've yet to put it into practice.

[Elmo]

I use several modes depending upon what I am shooting.

As for Hyperfocal distance the 1/3 into the scene rule is a good approximation.

As for the 11x14 thing. The element you missed is viewing distance. Larger prints are designed for more distance viewing. Therefore for the eye to maintain the same visual effect the source object (circle of confusion) can be larger and maintain the same illusion of sharpness. We need to remember only one infintely thin area is in perfect focus in any photograph, The remaining areas in front of and behind the focus distance are apparent sharpness based on out eyes circle of confusion. Digital confuses that by defining an absolute pixel size regardless of the magnification size.

[candleman]

for the record as a non-landscape person...

I always focus on the object of interest.. i have had reasonable success "faking" a hyperfocal in focusing on a point 1/3rd pf the way to the horizon.
(because DOF extends 1/3 in front and 2/3rds behind)

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by candleman

for the record as a non-landscape person...

I always focus on the object of interest.. i have had reasonable success "faking" a hyperfocal in focusing on a point 1/3rd pf the way to the horizon.
(because DOF extends 1/3 in front and 2/3rds behind)

..................................only after a distance from camera of 30 ft (10 meters)-for shorter distances you need to be more exact-especially with wide apertures.

[milosh]

When I try to take a good landscape shot, I try to find an object that is roughly on the hyperfocal distance and focus on it (since I don't have the distance scale). But if I want to take a photo of something quickly, a person not aware of me or something similar, I must admit that I don't think about the relationship between aperture and distance, I just select the aperture (according to my desired dof) in A mode and focus and hope for the desired dof to appear.