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Depth of Field Planner

The calculator uses the standard depth‑of‑field equations developed from lens geometry. It first converts all user inputs to consistent SI units, computes the hyperfocal distance H, then derives the near and far focus limits by applying the H‑based formulas. The final DOF range is simply the difference of the two limits.

Enter the distance from the lens to the main subject tip in meters. This value affects how shallow or deep your depth‑of‑field will be.
The effective focal length of the lens you intend to use, expressed in millimetres. Common values include 35 mm, 50 mm, 85 mm, etc.
The f‑stop setting of your lens; a lower number means a wider aperture and less depth‑of‑field.
Threshold that defines what is considered ‘in focus’. Typical full‑frame value is 0.02 mm; adjust for sensor size if necessary.

What it is

A depth‑of‑field planner lets photographers calculate exactly where the near and far focus limits lie for any given shot, whether portrait, landscape or macro. By taking subject distance, focal length, aperture and sensor circle of confusion into account it outputs precise distances in meters. The tool uses well‑established camera optics equations that rely on hyperfocal distance to derive focus boundaries, providing a reliable measure from which creatives can determine framing, lens choice and the extent of background or foreground blur.

How to use it

Enter your subject distance (m), choose your lens focal length (mm) and record the aperture f/stop. Select the appropriate circle‑of‑confusion value for your sensor—for full‑frame this is generally 0.02 mm; smaller cameras use a larger value. The calculator instantly shows the near focus limit, far focus limit and the depth‐of‑field span in meters—values you can read or copy when setting up a scene.

Worked example

1. Convert focal length to meters: f = 85 mm / 1000 = 0.085 m. 2. Convert CoC to meters: C = 0.02 mm / 1000 = 0.00002 m. 3. Compute hyperfocal distance H: H = (f²)/(N·C) + f = (0.085²)/(5.6×0.00002) + 0.085 ≈64.61714 m. 4. Near focus limit: Nₙ = (H × u)/(H + (u − f)) ≈1.942 m. 5. Far focus limit: N_f = (H × u)/(H – (u − f)) ≈2.061 m. 6. Depth‑of‑field range: DOF = N_f – Nₙ ≈0.119 m. These three results match the calculator’s output when entered into the interface.

Inputs

  • Subject Distance (m): 2
  • Focal Length (mm): 85
  • Aperture (f/‑no): 5.6
  • Circle of Confusion (mm): 0.02

Result

  • Near Focus Limit (m): 1.942
  • Far Focus Limit (m): 2.061
  • Depth of Field Range (m): 0.119

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose an appropriate circle of confusion value?

Full‑frame and APS‑C sensors generally use 0.02–0.03 mm, while smaller sensors (Micro‑Four‑Thirds, Four‑Thirdes) can use 0.013–0.016 mm. The chosen value should reflect the sensor size you are shooting with; many online calculators provide preset values for common formats.

What happens if I set an aperture larger than the lens can physically achieve?

The calculator will still compute a number, but it is outside the practical range of that particular lens. Photographers usually constrain the aperture input to the lens’s actual stop range to avoid unrealistic depth‑of‑field values.

Can this tool handle negative subject distances?

Negative distances are allowed in the spec because some theoretical optical setups (e.g., virtual images) may consider them, but for real‑world photography you should keep the value positive. The computation still works mathematically, though it does not correspond to a physical photograph.

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