[Venturi]

One of the constant themes running through the forums is how lenses behave in the various formats of digital and film cameras.

So, whilst chained to my desk babysitting machines that go ping I put together a little Excel spreadsheet that should help folks visualize the differences. By entering your lens' focal length, aperture and distance to subject you can quickly see:

• Hyperfocal distance
• Depth of Field, with near/far distances
• Field of View
• Angle of View
• Compare results between APS-C, 35mm, 6x4.5, 6x7 & 8x10 formats.

DISCLAIMER: This spreadsheet is intended for entertainment use only. The formulas and constants/assumptions are what I have gleaned from various internet sources with varying levels of credibility. If you pick a keyboard fight using the data herein and get your internet butt handed to you by someone with better skilz you have my sympathy, but that's all.

The XLS file in Excel 97 format is attached. Enjoy and happy number crunching.

EDIT: Re-attached original version + english only I currently use.

Attached Files

	FORMAT_COMPARISONS_v2.5.zip (11.5 KB, 577 views)
	FORMAT_COMPARISONS_EN.zip (10.0 KB, 563 views)

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Last edited by Venturi; 05-09-2011 at 08:04 PM.

[navcom]

Cool spreadsheet! This will be neat to have.

Thanks for sharing Jim!

[Venturi]

You're welcome!

It was fun to build. Got to brush up on my algebra and trigonometry a bit. (See kids they do teach ya that stuff for a reason afterall)

I uploaded a new version of the spreadsheet.
Added:
- Logic for subject distance past hyperfocal distance
- DOF spread infront and behind subject distance
- THREE NEW CAMERAS! gotta add cameras and/or lenses when you upgrade photo software, right?

The attachment link in the original post has the updated version.

[Lance B]

This is a fantastic spreadsheet! A hearty congratulations on a job well done. A valuable resource that I will use regularly I am sure if:

Is there some way you can modify the DISTANCE(ft) and DISTANCE(in) to show metres/cm/mm rather than ft? This would also mean the requirement of the calculated answers to be in metrics, like near focus/far focus, Hyperfocal distance etc. As much of the world is metric, I am sure that there are many who would prefer it.

Thank you again for a wonderful tool that looks much easier to use than the other on-line DOF calculator:
Online Depth of Field Calculator

[Oldschool]

Thanks. Great job, now I just have to refresh my understanding of hyperfocal distance.

[woodworm]

Having a play now - thank you

[*isteve]

This is a fantastic spreadsheet! A hearty congratulations on a job well done. A valuable resource that I will use regularly I am sure if:

Is there some way you can modify the DISTANCE(ft) and DISTANCE(in) to show metres/cm/mm rather than ft? This would also mean the requirement of the calculated answers to be in metrics, like near focus/far focus, Hyperfocal distance etc. As much of the world is metric, I am sure that there are many who would prefer it.

Would make the maths easier too

[Venturi]

This is a fantastic spreadsheet! A hearty congratulations on a job well done. A valuable resource that I will use regularly I am sure if:

Is there some way you can modify the DISTANCE(ft) and DISTANCE(in) to show metres/cm/mm rather than ft?

Would make the maths easier too

Thanks for the kudos! HOWEVER - I've got a bug.
In putting together the "metric" version I noticed my numbers didn't jive. Turns out the problem is in the Engrish part of the sheet for the hyperfocal calculation. I'm workin on my math issues now and will post a corrected version with both english and metric measurements later today.

[Venturi]

Okay, Metric version added and that pesky hyperfocal bug fixed. 1st post has the zip. Enjoy (again)!

[navcom]

Okay, Metric version added and that pesky hyperfocal bug fixed. 1st post has the zip. Enjoy (again)!

v2.0

[Agnostic]

Thanks, that sounds useful

[Lance B]

Okay, Metric version added and that pesky hyperfocal bug fixed. 1st post has the zip. Enjoy (again)!

Thank you very much, Jim.

Another job well done. It is now my official resource for DOF calculations.

[WRB]

the more I learn the less I know.

[Venturi]

I'm glad you're all finding it useful.

I made one final addition to include the physical dimensions of your field of view at a given distance (e.g. if you have a 100mm lens on the K20D at 10ft your framed shot encompass an area 2.35ft by 1.57ft). If you don't care about that there's no need to download the new version. And I promise, no more patches/upgrades unless somebody finds a bug.

[Jewelltrail]

So, whilst chained to my desk babysitting machines that go ping I put together a little Excel spreadsheet that should help folks visualize the differences. By entering your lens' focal length, aperture and distance to subject you can quickly see:

Thank you--a nice contribution to our community!