Focus at the hyperfocal distance and everything from half that distance to infinity is acceptably sharp — the classic landscape technique for front-to-back sharpness.
Use it for landscapes where you want everything from the foreground rocks to the distant peaks sharp in one frame.
How hyperfocal focusing works
H = f² ÷ (N × c) + f. With a 24 mm lens at f/11 on full frame (c = 0.030 mm), H ≈ 1.8 m: focus there and sharpness runs from about 0.9 m to infinity. Browse the hyperfocal charts by focal length and sensor.
FAQ
Is hyperfocal focusing still useful with high-resolution sensors?
Yes, but use a stricter circle of confusion (e.g. 0.020 mm) or focus slightly beyond the hyperfocal distance to keep distant detail crisp.
Why not just use f/22?
Diffraction softens the whole image at very small apertures. Hyperfocal focusing at f/8–f/11 is usually sharper overall.
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