expoaperture Depth-of-Field Guide ExpoAperture Instruction Manual Simple - Fast - Accurate Selective Focusing and Sharper Images With: - Digital SLRs, 35mm and 120 film cameras - any focal length lens - any depth of field © George Wallace For More Information Visit: www.expoimaging.
Forward Thank you for purchasing the ExpoAperture Depth-ofField Guide the pocket guide that enables photographers to quickly determine the maximum and minimum depthof-field for a given focal length and aperture size. Today’s advanced technologies make automatic exposure and focusing a snap, but what you gain in automation you lose in creative control.
Please visit our website at www.expoimaging.net for more information on the ExpoAperture Depth-of-Field Guide and any of our other digital workflow products from ExpoImaging. There you will find additional instructions and helpful tips from the pros, not to mention a bit of very colorful history about my dad. We hope you enjoy your experience and welcome your feedback. Sincerely, Diane Wallace Daughter and Founder ExpoImaging, Inc.
Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Depth-of-Field for 28mm - 135mm. (p.6) 2a. Determine the correct aperture for the desired depth-of-field. 2b. Determine the depth-of-field for the desired aperture. 3. Telephoto Photography (p.17) 3a. Using a focal length between 135mm - 300mm. 3b. Using a focal length larger than 300mm. 4. Close & Macro Photography (p.27) 4a. Setting the aperture for depth-of-field from 12”- 24”. 4b. Setting the aperture for depth-of-field less than 12”. 4c. Exposure Compensation 5.
1. Introduction The ExpoAperture Depth-of-Field Guide allows the photographer to obtain the greatest possible image sharpness where he wants this sharpness and to determine where that zone of maximum sharpness will begin and end.
2. Depth of Field for 28mm to 135mm. 2a. Determine the Correct Aperture for the Desired Depth-of-Field The following example will walk you through each step in finding the correct aperture for your photograph in the most popular shooting conditions.
Example: Given a 35mm camera, 50mm focal length, and a desired depth-of-field of 6’ - 30’. ������ �� Step 1 - Find the range of distances you would like to be in focus on the outer edge of the Zone Dial side of the Depthof-Field Guide. The example above highlights a range of 6 ft. to 30ft. to be in focus.
Step 2 - Count the number of zones within your distance range. Each alternating grey and white arc represents one depth-of-field zone. ������ �� ������� In the example above, there are 4 such zones (highlighted) between 6 ft. and 30 ft.
Step 3 - Find the middle of the number of zones in your range and set your camera’s focus to the corresponding distance shown on the Depth-of-Field Guide. ����������������������� �������� ������� In the example above, the camera focus should be set to 10 feet, the distance corresponding to the middle of the 4 zones (2 zones on either side).
Step 4 - Flip the Depth-of-Field Guide over to its front side, then rotate the dial to set the focal length (FL) of the lens in the small cut-out window. In the example above, the Depth-of-Field Guide is set to 50 mm focal length.
Step 5 - Find the desired number of depth-of-field zones for your distance range. This number is located on the silver arc just beneath the f stop number. The f stop value immediately above the zone number is the largest aperture you can use to get your depth-of-field. ������������������ ������������������ ������� In the example above, the f stop number above the ‘4’ zones indicates that f16 is the largest f stop capable of providing 4 depth-of-field zones with a 50 mm focal length lens.
2b . Finding the Depth-of-Field for a Given Aperture The ExpoAperture Depth-of-Field Guide also allows the photographer to start with a preferred aperture setting and then find the resulting depth-of-field. The next example will walk you through that process.
Example: Given a 35mm camera, 50mm focal length, aperture setting of f11 and a focus distance of 7 ½’. Step 1 - Rotate the front disc of the Guide to set the actual focal length you are using in the window on the front of the Depth-of-Field Guide (50mm).
Step 2 - Find your preferred aperture setting on the front of the Depth-of-Field Guide. Note the number of depth-offield zones indicated below your f stop number. ������������������ In the example above, using an aperture of f11 at 50mm will result in 3 depth-of-field zones.
Step 3 - On the back of the Depth-of-Field Guide, find the focus distance. ���� Find the focus distance (7 1/2 ft) on the outer ring of the Zone Dial side of the Depth-of-Field Guide.
Step 4 - To find the range of distances that will be in focus, simply divide the total number of zones by two and equally extend them to either side of your focus distance. ������������������������������������������������� In the example above, placing the focus distance in the middle of the 3 depth-of-field zones will give you from 5 1/2 feet to 12 feet in focus.
3. Setting the Aperture for a Telephoto Lens Shooting with a telephoto lens, defined for the purposes of the ExpoAperture Depth-of-Field Guide as an actual focal length greater than 135mm, requires a simple calculation to determine the required aperture setting for the desired depthof-field. You must simply divide the actual focal length by one number, and the minimum and maximum distances by the square of that number to bring them back to within the ‘standard’ range on the ExpoAperture Depth-of-Field Guide.
Example: Given a 35mm Camera, 200mm Focal Length, and a Depth-of-Field of 120’ to infinity. Step 1 - Divide the focal length of the lens you are using by 2 and set your Depth-of-Field Guide to the resulting focal length. 200mm divided by 2 = 100mm. Set the focal length on the Depth-of-Field Guide to 100mm.
Step 2 - Divide the distance range required by 4 and find those new distances on the Zone Dial side of the Depth-ofField Guide. ��������� 120’ - ∞’ divided by 4 = 30’ - ∞’. Find the distances of 30’ to ∞’ on your Zone Dial.
Step 3 - Count the number of depth-of-field zones within your new distance range. ��������� ������ There is 1 distance zone between 30’ and ∞’.
Step 4 - Locate the number of zones for your desired depth-of-field on the front of the Guide to find your aperture setting. ������������������ ������������������ ������ f16 is the largest aperture you can use to get 1 depth-offield zone. Therefore, use f16 with your 200mm focal length to get depth-of-field from 120’ to infinity.
3b. Using a Focal Length Greater Than 300mm In order to find the aperture setting for a desired distance range using a lens with a focal length larger than 300mm, divide the focal length by 5 and the distance range by 25, and then proceed using the new numbers in the “standard” manner. See the following example. NOTE: If the procedure above results in a partial depth-of-field zone, and is not automatically given on your ExpoAperture Depth-of-Field Guide, then you may need to refer to section 5a.
Example: Given a 35mm camera, 500mm focal length, and a depth-of-field from 300’ to 375’. Step 1 - Divide the actual focal length of the lens you are using by 5 and set your Depth-of-Field Guide to the resulting focal length. 500mm divided by 5 = 100mm. Set the focal length on the Depth-of-Field Guide to 100mm.
Step 2 - Divide the distance range required by 25 (minimum and maximum) and find the new distances on the Zone Dial side of the Depth-of-Field Guide. ��������� 300’ - 375’ divided by 25 = 12’ - 15’. Find the distances of 12’ to 15’ on your Zone Dial.
Step 3 - Count the number of depth-of-field zones within your new distance range. ��������� ����������� There is ½ of a distance zone between 12’ and 15’.
Step 4 - Find the number of zones in your depth-of-field range on the front of the Guide to get your aperture setting. ����������������� ������������������ ������ In the example above, f8 is the largest aperture setting you can use to get ½ of a distance zone. Therefore, use f8 with your 500mm focal length to get a depth-of-field from 300’ to 375’.
4. Close and Macro Photography 4a. Setting the Aperture for a Depth-ofField Ranging from 12” - 24” The inside ring on the Zone Dial side of the ExpoAperture Depth-of-Field Guide provides measurements from 12” to 24”. Use these measurements in the “standard” manner (refer to section 1) to find the preferred aperture setting for your distance range. The following example takes you through the “standard” procedure for a depth-of-field between the 12” - 24” measurements.
Example: Given a 35mm camera, a 50mm focal length, and a depth-of-field of 15” - 18”. Step 1 - On the Zone Dial side of the Depth-of-Field Guide, find the range of distances that you would like to be in focus. ��������� If you want all subjects from 15” to 18” to be in focus, then find those distances on the silver inner ring of the Zone Dial.
Step 2 - Count the number of zones within your distance range. ��������� ������� The alternating gray and white arcs each represent one depth-of-field zone. There are 4 zones between 15” and 18”.
Step 3 - Find the middle of the number of zones in your range and set your camera’s focus distance accordingly. ��������� ���������� ��������������� On your camera, set the focus distance to the distance corresponding to the middle of the 4 zones (2 zones on either side). In the example above, the camera focus should be set at 16.5 inches to get a depth-of-field of 15” to 18” at a 50mm focal length.
Step 4 - Make sure you set the actual focal length you are using in the Depth-of-Field Guide window. In the example above, set the window to the 50mm focal length (FL).
Step 5 - Find the amount of zones in your range on the front of the Depth-of-Field Guide to get your aperture setting. ������������������ ������������������ ������� The f stop above the ‘4’ zones indicates that f16 is the largest aperture capable of providing 4 depth-of-field zones with a 50 mm lens.
4b. Setting the Aperture for a Depth-of-Field Less than 12”. Because it is not practical to include all distances on the ExpoAperture Depth-of-Field Guide and still keep it relatively simple, you must use the following procedure to find your preferred aperture setting if you wish to use it for focus distances less than 12”. Double (or triple, etc.) your distance range in order to get the desired distances within the range of the Zone Dial, then count the number of zones involved.
Example: Given a 35mm camera, 50mm focal length, and a depth-of-field of 7 ½” - 8”. Step 1 - Double (or triple, etc.) your distance range in order to get distances within the range on the Zone Dial.
Step 2 - Count the number of depth-of-field zones and multiply by the same number you multiplied the minimum and maximum distances. ��������� ��������� There are 1 ½ distance zones between 15” and 16”. 1 ½ x 2 (doubled) = 3 depth-of-field zones.
Step 3 - Find the number of distance zones on the front of the Depth-of-Field Guide to find the preferred aperture setting. (Make sure your actual focal length is set in the window.) ���������������������������� ����������������� 3 distance zones @ 50mm = f11. Use f11 for a depth-offield range of 7 ½” - 8”.
4c. Exposure Compensation The ExpoAperture Depth-of-Field Guide also has a very handy reminder of exposure compensation for magnification larger than 1/4th life size at the given ratios. The compensation can be made either with aperture or shutter speed adjustments. Example: Given an image 1/2 as large as the subject, and an ExpoAperture Guide indicated aperture setting of f8, add 1 stop to get f11.
5. Advanced Techniques 5a. Setting the Aperture for a Distance Range of Less than One Distance Zone ExpoAperture Depth-of-Field Guides were designed for general use with 35mm cameras in a broad range of photographing conditions. With a little manipulation these ranges can be extended to cover use with all focal length lenses and all depths-of-field. In order to do this with accuracy, the photographer must use the procedures outlined for each section on the following pages.
Example: Given a 35mm camera, 100mm focal length, and a depth-of-field from 60’ to 120’. Step 1 - Find the distance range on the Zone Dial side of your Depth-of-Field Guide. Note the fraction of zones between those distances. ������ ���������� 60’ - 120’is ¼ zone.
Step 2 - On the front of the Depth-of-Field Guide, set the focal length and find the f stop required for 1 distance zone. �������������������������� ��������������� 1 distance zone in focus @ 100mm focal length requires f 16.
Step 3 - Divide the f stop found for 1 distance zone by the fraction of the zone required to find your preferred depthof-field. �������������������������� ��������������� f16 multiplied by ¼ zone gives you aperture f4. Therefore, use f4 at 100mm focal length to get a depth-of-field of 60’ - 120’.
5b. Setting the Aperture for a Distance Range of more than 8 Distance Zones To find the preferred aperture setting for distance ranges greater than 8 depth-of-field zones, you must find the aperture number required for 1/2 the number of distance zones you would like to measure. Once you find that aperture number, double it to find the preferred aperture setting for your distance range. See the following example for a more detailed explanation.
Example: Given a 35mm camera, a 25mm focal length, and a depth-of-field of 12” - 18”. Step 1 - On the Zone Dial, find the range of distances you would like to be in focus, then count the number of distance zones within that range. �������� ��������� 12”-18” is 10 zones.
Step 2 - Find the preferred aperture setting for half of the number of zones in your distance range. Double the f stop to correct for halving the number of zones, and use the resulting f stop for your distance range. ����������������������������� ����������������� Half of 10 distance zones is 5 zones. 5 zones @ 25mm requires f5.6. Doubling 5.6 = 11.2. Therefore, to get 12” to 18” in focus (10 zones) at a 25mm focal length you should use f11.2 (rounded to f11).
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ExpoImaging, Inc., Limited Warranty (9/05) What Is Covered: ExpoImaging, Inc. (“ExpoImaging”) warrants to the original retail purchaser that the ExpoAperture Depth-of-Field Guide covered by this limited warranty statement, conforms to the manufacturer’s specifications and will be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase. For warranty service, you must provide proof of the date of original purchase.
ExpoImaging’s liability for replacement of the covered depth-of-field guide will not exceed the original retail sales price of the product. Exchange depth-of-field guides assume the remaining warranty period of your original product covered by this limited warranty. What This Warranty Does Not Cover: This warranty covers only normal use. This warranty is not transferable.
expoaperture Depth-of-Field Guide “Because of the simplicity and clarity of its design, and its orientation, it is the best graphic aid in teaching depth-of-field that I have ever seen” - Neil White, Professor of Photography, San Francisco State University. V 9/05 Copyright © 2005 - ExpoImaging, Inc.
