Hyperfocal distance.

further to my attempts to image bats, the thought occurred that if I focussed on the h/d, it would enhance my success rate, or at least reduce my failure rate!

Can someone please let me know the h/d for my Pentax 18-55 3.5-5.6, when used at a). 18mm. & b). 55mm.?

If this could be before sunset, when the bats begin to be active, I would be most grateful!

Coker.

https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/hyperfocal-distances-25340

Bret

At what aperture?

Here you can make your own free card.
http://www.dofmaster.com/charts.html

I see you're using the K7 so you can quite easily use the optical preview to see what the DOF does.

Thanks, Brett & Stefan.
The dofmaster site is v.useful!

The only thing using the dof preview lever in this instance is that I only have an instant to, literally, point the camera vaguely in the general direction of the v. fast flying bat & fire-off the shutter.
My thought was to preset everything as far as poss. so I "only" have to get the creature in the frame!
Progress(?) thus far can be seen in The Gallery.

Press on!


Roger.

You can of course use the DOF preview (or take a test shot) to check depth of field well before the bat flies into view... or whatever it is you're photographing! You could experiment in daylight to see how big the dof is with the camera at various aperture and focus settings.

With some film cameras you could focus on the nearest point you want in focus, and the farthest point, and the camera will automatically work out the appropriate focus and aperture setting to ensure everything within that range is sharp.

This would be an awesome and easy to implement feature for a future Pentax DSLR!