Depth of field reference: reproduce the numbers.
A photograph's sharp range and background blur describe different things. These fixed setups let you check both, without relying on the appearance of the illustrated preview.
Reference inputs and results
Every row states the sensor dimensions, focal length, f-number, focused distance, background distance and acceptable circle of confusion (CoC). Distances refer to the ideal lens plane. This is calculated thin-lens data, not a measurement of a particular lens or camera.
Download JSON · Download CSV. In both files, lengths are millimetres and angles are degrees. The text Infinity denotes an unbounded limit. The tables below use metres for distances and millimetres for blur.
| Example | Sensor (mm) | Focal length (mm) | f-number | Focus (m) | Background (m) | Acceptable CoC (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 mm portrait · background at 4 m | 36 × 24 | 50 | 1.8 | 3 | 4 | 0.03 |
| 50 mm portrait · background at 6 m | 36 × 24 | 50 | 1.8 | 3 | 6 | 0.03 |
| 50 mm portrait · background at 12 m | 36 × 24 | 50 | 1.8 | 3 | 12 | 0.03 |
| 50 mm portrait · background at 30 m | 36 × 24 | 50 | 1.8 | 3 | 30 | 0.03 |
| 50 mm portrait · stricter sharpness criterion | 36 × 24 | 50 | 1.8 | 3 | 12 | 0.015 |
| 50 mm · f/8 · focus at 5 m | 36 × 24 | 50 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 0.03 |
| 85 mm portrait · f/1.8 | 36 × 24 | 85 | 1.8 | 2 | 10 | 0.03 |
| 85 mm portrait · f/4 | 36 × 24 | 85 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 0.03 |
| 24 mm · focus at hyperfocal distance | 36 × 24 | 24 | 8 | 2.424 | 50 | 0.03 |
| Full-frame framing comparison | 36 × 24 | 50 | 2.8 | 3 | 12 | 0.03 |
| APS-C approximate matched framing | 24 × 16 | 33.3333 | 1.8667 | 3 | 12 | 0.02 |
| Example | Near (m) | Far (m) | Total DOF (m) | Hyperfocal (m) | Background blur (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 mm portrait · background at 4 m Open setup → | 2.820291 | 3.20417 | 0.383879 | 46.346296 | 0.117702 |
| 50 mm portrait · background at 6 m Open setup → | 2.820291 | 3.20417 | 0.383879 | 46.346296 | 0.235405 |
| 50 mm portrait · background at 12 m Open setup → | 2.820291 | 3.20417 | 0.383879 | 46.346296 | 0.353107 |
| 50 mm portrait · background at 30 m Open setup → | 2.820291 | 3.20417 | 0.383879 | 46.346296 | 0.423729 |
| 50 mm portrait · stricter sharpness criterion Open setup → | 2.907371 | 3.098725 | 0.191354 | 92.642593 | 0.353107 |
| 50 mm · f/8 · focus at 5 m Open setup → | 3.389371 | 9.527439 | 6.138068 | 10.466667 | 0.036827 |
| 85 mm portrait · f/1.8 Open setup → | 1.971778 | 2.029041 | 0.057263 | 133.881296 | 1.67682 |
| 85 mm portrait · f/4 Open setup → | 1.938348 | 2.065702 | 0.127354 | 60.293333 | 0.754569 |
| 24 mm · focus at hyperfocal distance Open setup → | 1.212 | Infinity | Infinity | 2.424 | 0.028546 |
| Full-frame framing comparison Open setup → | 2.729456 | 3.330077 | 0.600621 | 29.811905 | 0.226998 |
| APS-C approximate matched framing Open setup → | 2.728061 | 3.332156 | 0.604094 | 29.794647 | 0.150479 |
How to reproduce a row
- Open its simulator link: it selects Custom camera and Custom lens, not a named product.
- Inspect the explicit sensor dimensions and CoC in Advanced controls.
- Compare the numerical near/far limits, background blur and hyperfocal distance. Displayed values are rounded; the data download retains calculation precision.
- To check independently, use the published equations and all the listed inputs.
What can—and cannot—be concluded
Moving a background from 4 m to 30 m increases defocus without changing the depth of field around a person focused at 3 m. Tightening the acceptable CoC changes the reported sharp range, not the physical blur. The APS-C example approximately matches full-frame framing and DOF at an ordinary distance; it does not claim identical exposure, noise or image processing.
An infinite far limit means geometric defocus at infinity stays within the selected tolerance. It does not mean every distance is equally sharp. The hyperfocal example's illustrated backdrop remains at a finite 50 m.
The equations omit aberrations, focus breathing, pupil magnification, motion and processing. Portrait cutouts are flat teaching subjects. Bokeh shapes and diffraction stars are illustrative; no measured lens point-spread data is claimed.
Provenance, verification and citation
Published by Lumiverse, the maintainer of DOF Simulation. The tables and downloads are generated together at build time from the same versioned reference inputs. Automated tests cross-check background blur with independently projected ray cones and verify DOF against an exact rational fixture. These checks validate software consistency, not a physical-lens calibration.
When referencing a value, link to the individual example, state its inputs, and describe it as a thin-lens estimate. Check the deployed revision to identify the release. Report corrections through About & contact; substantive updates change the visible revision date.
Related experiments: background separation, acceptable sharpness, portrait apertures, and hyperfocal focus.
Verify the numbers: reproducible reference examples · equations and limitations · publisher and corrections.