Cinema Depth of Field Calculator
Precise depth of field, hyperfocal distance, near limit, and far limit calculations for professional digital cinema cameras, spherical primes, and anamorphic lenses.
Input Parameters
Sets the standard optical Circle of Confusion threshold for sensor resolving limits.
True optical focal length in millimeters (e.g. 18, 24, 35, 50, 85, 135mm).
Measured distance from the camera sensor plane (film plane mark ɸ) to the subject.
Calculation Results
Total zone of acceptable sharpness around your subject.
Closest point in focus
Furthest point in focus
Focus here to keep everything from half this distance (14.9m) to infinity (∞) sharp.
How Depth of Field & Hyperfocal Distance Work in Cinematography
Depth of Field (DoF) is the distance range in front of and behind the primary focus plane that appears acceptably sharp to the human eye in the final rendered image. On high-end film and commercial sets, controlling depth of field is one of the chief visual tools directors of photography (DOPs) and focus pullers (1st ACs) use to isolate subjects, establish visual hierarchy, and maintain narrative focus.
The Mathematical Formulas of Depth of Field
Our online calculator uses the classic optical equations calibrated for digital cinema sensors:
H = (f² / (N · c)) + f
2. Near Limit of Acceptable Sharpness (D_near):
D_near = (H · s) / [H + (s - f)]
3. Far Limit of Acceptable Sharpness (D_far):
D_far = (H · s) / [H - (s - f)]
4. Total Depth of Field (DoF):
DoF = D_far - D_near
Where: f = optical focal length (mm), N = aperture f/T number, c = circle of confusion (mm), s = subject focus distance (mm).
Understanding the Circle of Confusion (CoC)
The Circle of Confusion is the maximum diameter of a blurred point of light on the camera sensor that still registers as a single sharp point to the human eye on an exhibition screen. For Full Frame 35mm formats (36×24mm, ARRI LF, Sony Venice 2), 0.030mm is the international industry standard. For Super 35 sensors (ARRI Alexa 35, RED Komodo, Sony FX6), 0.020mm is used due to the smaller sensor dimensions requiring greater optical enlargement during viewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is Hyperfocal Distance and how is it used on set?
Hyperfocal distance is the focus distance setting where everything from half that distance to infinity (∞) remains acceptably sharp. It is indispensable for wide establishing shots, fast run-and-gun documentary shooting, drone cinematography, and car-to-car tracking shots where racking focus continuously is impossible.
Q2. Why does Full Frame cinematography have a shallower depth of field than Super 35?
To achieve the exact same framing and horizontal field of view on a larger Full Frame sensor as on a Super 35 sensor, you must use a longer focal length lens (e.g. 50mm on Full Frame vs 35mm on Super 35) or move substantially closer to your subject. Both changes significantly decrease total depth of field.
Q3. How do anamorphic lenses affect depth of field calculations?
Anamorphic lenses squeeze the horizontal field of view by a factor of 2x (or 1.5x/1.8x). Vertically, their depth of field corresponds strictly to their spherical focal length, while horizontally they provide the angle of view of a lens with half that focal length. This creates the signature anamorphic shallow depth of field combined with wide expansive vistas.
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