🎬 Depth of Field (DoF) Calculator
🎥 “Cinematographers don’t sleep. They just wait until the lighting is right.”
📸 “Why did the lens apply for a job? It wanted to focus on its future.”
In filmmaking and photography, understanding depth of field is crucial to creating the visual style and emotional tone you want in your shot. Whether you’re aiming for that cinematic blurry background (shallow depth of field) or keeping everything sharp from foreground to background (deep focus), this Depth of Field Calculator helps you dial in the perfect setup.
🎯 What This Tool Does
This free calculator allows you to input:
- Focal length (in mm)
- Aperture (f-number)
- Subject distance (in feet or meters)
- Sensor type (full frame, APS-C, Micro Four Thirds, etc.)
It instantly calculates:
- Near focus limit
- Far focus limit
- Total depth of field
You’ll get a clear understanding of how much of your scene will be in focus—and where that focus range starts and ends.
💡 Why Depth of Field Matters
Whether you’re filming interviews, product b-roll, or narrative scenes, knowing your depth of field helps you:
- Control the viewer’s attention by isolating your subject with shallow focus
- Plan lighting and blocking in advance by knowing how much movement will stay in focus
- Avoid focus issues during fast-paced shoots or low-light setups
- Choose the right lens and aperture before you even step on set
No more guessing or relying on tiny on-camera previews—use this calculator to confidently plan your creative look.
🧪 Real-World Use Cases
- A wedding videographer wants to keep the bride’s face sharp while softly blurring the background.
- A commercial DP needs to ensure a product label remains readable at f/2.8 from 4 feet away.
- A YouTube creator wants to avoid refocusing every time they lean forward in front of their lens.
Start experimenting with different focal lengths, distances, and sensor formats—this calculator gives you instant, reliable results. 🎥
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