Pixiq

Before in time lenses had a depth of field guide in the barrel, but in digital times we’ve lost that important tool. But ExpoImaging found the missing link and called it ExpoAperture2.

A photographer needing to know the depth of field of a lens under certain conditions would, some years ago, either press the DOF (Depth of Field) preview button of his camera or use a scale inscribed on the lens barrel.

In fact, the lens barrel figures where used by many photographers, and very much by photojournalists and street photography lovers, to get the maximum depth of field for shooting without even having to look through the viewfinder. Called the hyperfocal distance, it would keep sharp everything in the frame, from near to distant objects. It is also an essential element in landscape photography.

With digital and autofocus we’ve lost some of that practice, but we still need to know the depth of field, and now, with the engravings on the lens barrel gone, we’ve to resort to other tools. You can use some tools on the web, and even print charts for different lenses and focal lengths. You even can get some apps for your computer or mobile phone that do the trick. Or you can go the easy way and use a calculator that does not need a web connection or batteries. It’s called ExpoAperture2 and comes from ExpoImaging.

Looking through the viewfinder while you press the DOF preview button on your camera can help you to get an idea of the depth of field you’ve at different apertures, but for a more precise setting of the camera this tool is something you will wish to have in your bag.

To use the tool you start by selecting the camera’s sensor or film size (all sizes from 1.7x crop sensors to a 6x6 film format) and the focal length to use. The guide gives you information on the depth of field you can get with different apertures. Or, if you know how much space you need to cover, the right aperture to get everything in focus. This handy calculator that you can take with you everywhere even can tell you the right hyperfocal distance for different situations. And with some side maths you can sort out the right choice even for sensor or film sizes not covered by the magic disk.

Made of durable plastic discs that rotate over each other to place all the information you need under your fingertips, the ExpoAperture2 gives you a new understanding of the importance of aperture and gives photographers a powertool to effectively master their own photography and the way they think about apertures. Taking away the guesswork that we’re forced to do these days, for the lack of barrel engravings in our lenses, the ExpoAperture2 is also a great teaching tool, one of the reasons why ExpoImaging, the creator of the tool, has made an oversized version to use in the classroom.

The ExpoAperture2 Depth-of-Field Guide is available in a Full Focal Range 2 Disc Kit.  The Standard version of the Guide (Version 2.1) covers 10 to 135mm and distances from 12 inches to infinity, and the Telephoto version covers 70 to 600mm and distances from 15 feet to infinity, giving photographers increased flexibility in making depth-of-field calculations using a wider variety of lenses, from macro to landscape.  The ExpoAperture2 Depth-of-Guide 2 Disc Kit is also available in Metric distance units.

The ExpoAperture2 Depth-of-Field Guide includes a printed Quick Start Guide, a storage pouch, and a sensor format reference chart.

I’ve included this tool into my workshops teaching flow, as it makes it easier to explain people what depth of field is and how changing aperture affects the space covered. Find more about this tool at ExpoImaging.