How about a DOF/Hyperfocal distance pocket calculator (or smart phone program?

RovingEyePhotoRovingEyePhoto Registered Users Posts: 314 Major grins
edited May 5, 2008 in Accessories
I sure could use a pocket-carryable way to do DOF/hyperfocal distance calcualtions. I have several bookmarked into my computer, but how about a pocket device? I've seen the circular slide-rule types, and that would be OK, but seems clumsy compared to a pocket electronic calculator or program I could upload to a smart phone. I know they're there, just have to find a reliable one that includes format as an entry, I shoot 4/3. Any suggestions?
See my work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/26525400@N04/sets/. Policy is to initially upload 10-20 images from each shoot, then a few from various of the in-process shoots each time I log on, until a shoot is completely uploaded.

Comments

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,130 moderator
    edited April 27, 2008
    jimphotog wrote:
    I sure could use a pocket-carryable way to do DOF/hyperfocal distance calcualtions. I have several bookmarked into my computer, but how about a pocket device? I've seen the circular slide-rule types, and that would be OK, but seems clumsy compared to a pocket electronic calculator or program I could upload to a smart phone. I know they're there, just have to find a reliable one that includes format as an entry, I shoot 4/3. Any suggestions?

    Like:

    http://www.dofmaster.com/iphone.html

    Google search, "dof" and "calculator"
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • RovingEyePhotoRovingEyePhoto Registered Users Posts: 314 Major grins
    edited April 28, 2008
    ziggy53 wrote:
    Like:

    http://www.dofmaster.com/iphone.html

    Google search, "dof" and "calculator"

    Perfect. Am I missing the boat in saying this will be a godsend? Thanks for the reference. Already had downloaded DOFMaster to computer, but didn't see the smart phone reference. Thanks for the help
    See my work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/26525400@N04/sets/. Policy is to initially upload 10-20 images from each shoot, then a few from various of the in-process shoots each time I log on, until a shoot is completely uploaded.
  • Scott_QuierScott_Quier Registered Users Posts: 6,524 Major grins
    edited April 28, 2008
    The one for the Palm OS works like a champ as well....
    Scott
    My Photos
    Thoughts on photographing a wedding, How to post a picture, AF Microadjustments?, Light Scoop
    Equipment List - Check my profile
  • RhuarcRhuarc Registered Users Posts: 1,464 Major grins
    edited April 28, 2008
    So I was lookjing for this as well, only for my Dell X3i with Windows Mobile. Grrr, doesn't seem that they offer it for that OS! Anyone have any ideas for how I can get it working? ne_nau.gif
    Photos | Blog | Twitter | Gear
  • MartynMartyn Registered Users Posts: 112 Major grins
    edited April 29, 2008
    I'm using a JAVA calculator that works on any mobile that is JAVA enabled (almost all current models).

    http://www.jibble.org/dofcalc/
  • RovingEyePhotoRovingEyePhoto Registered Users Posts: 314 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2008
    Martyn wrote:
    I'm using a JAVA calculator that works on any mobile that is JAVA enabled (almost all current models).

    http://www.jibble.org/dofcalc/
    Thanks. I took a look at this guy's home page, and is he for real? More seriously, do the various phone solutions suggested in this string operate strictly from phone memory, or do they connect to internet to be operative? Does anyone know? If reaching to the net, I imagine there are times when not available. So I'm also considering a mechanical solution, a circular sliderule from ExpoImaging, two 4" dia disks, one covering 15-135mm FL, a second covering 70-longer FL (present first disk reaches down only to 25mm FL, but new model down to 15mm is in stock and ready to go). I'm thinking this mechanical solution is small and hardy enough (described as sturdy somewhat flexible plastic) to be convenient in the field, without fear of electronic disconnect, if in fact the phone solution involves internet access. Also, disks are simple to use, I saw instruction sheet, and very well designed. Crop factor variable is built in, so no outside calculations. About $40 US. Any thought on that?
    See my work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/26525400@N04/sets/. Policy is to initially upload 10-20 images from each shoot, then a few from various of the in-process shoots each time I log on, until a shoot is completely uploaded.
  • claudermilkclaudermilk Registered Users Posts: 2,756 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2008
    I've used the PalmOS one on a couple of occasions & it does work fine--no net connection necessary (my Palm is way too low-end & old for that). All these are is fancy calculators, I don't see that any connectivity is needed, there's no huge backend db to hook to.
    Chris
    http://www.chrislaudermilkphoto.com/
  • RhuarcRhuarc Registered Users Posts: 1,464 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2008
    I'm going to try out the JAVA one, just have to make sure that I have some sort of JAVA machine installed on my WM2003 device.
    Photos | Blog | Twitter | Gear
  • Scott_QuierScott_Quier Registered Users Posts: 6,524 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2008
    claudermilk wrote:
    I've used the PalmOS one on a couple of occasions & it does work fine--no net connection necessary (my Palm is way too low-end & old for that). All these are is fancy calculators, I don't see that any connectivity is needed, there's no huge backend db to hook to.
    15524779-Ti.gif - you download the application and install it. It resides in the Palm OS memory (very small footprint, 157K out of 115M - I have a T|X, though it also runs just fine on my old Tungsten E) and runs.
    Scott
    My Photos
    Thoughts on photographing a wedding, How to post a picture, AF Microadjustments?, Light Scoop
    Equipment List - Check my profile
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited May 3, 2008
    I made myself a spreadsheet that contains all focal lengths from 10 to
    400mm with (all typical focal lengths) and full fstops from f1.4 to f16.
    I printed it on an A5 letter and got it shringwrapped in foil. Now it's
    protected against the elements and stiff. I have one in each of my
    camera bags. It doesn't require electricity too. :D
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • MartynMartyn Registered Users Posts: 112 Major grins
    edited May 4, 2008
    Manfr3d wrote:
    I made myself a spreadsheet that contains all focal lengths from 10 to
    400mm with (all typical focal lengths) and full fstops from f1.4 to f16.
    I printed it on an A5 letter and got it shringwrapped in foil. Now it's
    protected against the elements and stiff. I have one in each of my
    camera bags. It doesn't require electricity too. :D

    I created a similar spreadsheet but it got mangled (I did mean to laminate it but never got round to it). Then I decided that since I always have my mobile phone with me I would create a JAVA app for it. Before I completed the app I found others had been there before me and I downloaded one from the net. Very simple little app that's easy to use.
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited May 5, 2008
    I just found this cool old school depth of field calculator:

    scan0002a.jpg
    intro_scale.jpg

    It even fits on a lens cap. Link: http://www.dofmaster.com/custom.html

    I want to make one :D
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
Sign In or Register to comment.