Hyperfocal distance on the XF Camera System
The XF Camera System can store one specific focus distance for each lens.
An obvious use of this functionality is to store the hyperfocal distance for
the lens, at your preferred working Aperture. This focus distance can be re-
called at your convenience.
On the XF Camera System this hyperfocal distance is represented by a
“hyperfocal point” corresponding to the physical point or marker many
photographers set on their lens to easily adjust focus to the hyperfocal
distance. The XF hyperfocal point is measured in absolute “MCUs” (Motor
Control Units). An internal scale, calibrated to the accuracy of the geared lens
focus mechanism.
Saving an XF hyperfocal point
Entering the XF Hyperfocal Point mode – via The XF Rear Key > Tools >
Hyperfocal Point
Please NOTE that this always assumes that the lens is in AF mode.
Use dials and save an XF hyperfocal point
In the HyperFocal Point Tool, now use the Front and Rear Dials to fine-tune
your focus and depth of field for your scene. The Front Dial and the Rear Dial
control the focus movements measured in “MCU” increments. The Front Dial:
+/-1 MCU, the Rear Dial: +/-10 MCUs. The electronic control of the lens
movements secures optimal positioning accuracy.
Please NOTE that it is important NOT to manually touch the focus ring of the
lens in this mode, as this will interfere with the precision of the electronically
controlled focus mechanism.
When you have reached an optimal hyperfocus point, it is stored by pressing
the save icon of the Hyperfocal Point screen.
Use focus bracketing and save an XF hyperfocal point
To assist an accurate setting of the Hyperfocal Point, a special focus bracketing
function is available. It allows for capturing a sequence of 5 shots: the base shot
focussed at your current Hyperfocal Point, complemented by four extra shots,
focussed using the hyperfocal increment ”Step” your selected MCUs,
multiplied -2, -1, +1, +2.
It is strongly recommended to work tethered to Capure One, to accurately
inspect each image for focus and depth of field, and secondly to get the
Hyperfocal Point “call-out value” for each of the images in the capture
sequence (In metadata).
When you select the image, which has the focus and the depth of field best
covering your scene, you dial in the Hyperfocal Point call-out from Capture One
in the Hyperfocal Point screen, and store the Hyperfocal Point by pressing the
save icon of the Hyperfocal Point screen. You may continue the process with a
finer increment, now working from your new best image as the base shot.
The captured images can also be inspected on an iPad, connected to an IQ2 or
IQ3 XF Camera System via wifi and Capture Pilot, the Phase One wireless
camera control software. The images can also be inspected on the XF rear
screen. However, neither the iPad-monitor nor the XF rear screen can display
the specific Hyperfocus Point “call-out value” of the images. These must be
calculated manually.
Using the Hyperfocal Point
Once the Hyper Focal point is set, it is possible to select hyper focal mode as an
AF mode (spot, average or hyperfocal). If Hyper Focal is selected, an activation
of the AF button will move the lens to the stored value. Note that you can also
assign a user button to activate the stored HyperFocal Point directly. This is
done by selecting the Rear Key > UI Setup > Control Setup and then selecting
the button you want to assign it to.
It is highly recommended to assign a di
ff
erent button than the shutter half-press
to “Auto Focus” - this is done with the Rear Key > UI Setup > Control Setup.
The hyperfocal mode is not stored persistently. Once the XF is turned o
ff
it
jumps back to the previous value.
HyperFocal Pont Tool
Select HyperFocal Point
Adjust the focus
distance in small
increments
Save the
Hyperfocal Point
Adjust the focus
distance in larger
increments
Number of
focus bracketing
captures.
90
Working with hyperfocal distance
XF IQ4 Camera System Manual |
