How to Use Distance Scale on Lens | A Thorough Guidelines

After the autofocus in cameras comes into play we only see distance scale on high-end lenses. But back when manual lenses available at a wide range distance scale on a lens were quite normal. As time passed it became used rarely on camera lenses.

Distance scale helps to focus manually and it sets the focusing distance. It also helps to determine the hyperfocal distance for capturing sharp landscape photos.  Today we will learn how to use distance scale on a lens and how we can use it to capture sharp images.

What Is the Distance Scale on A Lens?

Distance is a crucial part of manual lenses. This part of the lens helps to measure the focusing distance and it becomes very tough to focus properly without the distance lens on a manual lens. Knowing the proper use and how to use the distance scale can help you capture sharp images as it determines the focusing distance.

Some markings indicate in between what distance the subject will appear sharp on the back of the manual lens. There are two dashes for different apertures and that indicates the focusing distance. Focusing distance came in both feet and meters.

What Does a Distance Scale Do?

A distance scale is a determiner that sets the focusing distance value. Using this scale, the photographer can set the focusing distance manually. In those lenses that come with autofocus, we can focus wherever we want, and in manual lenses that is not the case. You have to set the focusing distance manually.

If you want to focus on a close distance you can set the scale value on 1 foot or less. Similarly, if you need to focus on a distant object you can set the distance to infinity. So using this scale you can set the focusing distance and get sharp images while using a manual lens.

There is a widely used term among photographers for landscape photography and that is hyperfocal distance. In simple words, keeping the subject in focus while making the foreground and background acceptably blur, the distance between the lens and subject is called hyperfocal distance.

Using the distance scale, you can calculate the hyperfocal distance very easily. You just have to focus in between the focusing field, and both your foreground and background will be acceptably blurry. That’s how you can find the hyperfocal distance using the distance scale.

Process of Using a Distance Scale

Distance scale sets the focusing distance so that it will be different on different types of lenses. If you have a prime lens, here is how you can use the distance scale.

Step-1: Set Aperture

On the very first step, you have to set the aperture value. You can set whatever you want. If you’re going to click a landscape photograph, it would be wise to set the aperture value at the highest number.

Step-2: Set Distance Scale Value

Let us assume you have set the aperture to 16. On the distance scale, there are 16 two times. One on the left, and the other one is on the right side of the scale. So the focusing distance is in between the left to right numbers.

In the above picture, the focusing distance at 16 apertures is 2.7 meters to infinity. You can twist the middle ring and adjust the focusing distance as you want. This is a manual lens to set the value at your desired point manually very easily.

Step-3: Determining Hyperfocal Distance

If you want to calculate the hyperfocal distance from the lens’s distance scale, you can do that very easily. The center point you got is the hyperfocal distance. Just focus on an object at that distance, and you’ll get the acceptably blurry foreground and background.

If you have a manual telephoto lens, you may not have to set the aperture on the lens body.

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How to use a distance scale on a telephoto lens

Step-1: Set The Aperture

On a prime lens, you’ll find the aperture setting on the lens body. But for setting the aperture of a telephoto lens, you have to do it from the camera setting. Rotate the aperture changing ring and select the aperture value at a higher number for capturing a landscape photo.

Step-2: Set Distance Scale

Now the process is similar to the prime lens. Just rotate the middle ring of the distance scale to set the focusing distance. The value showing over the dashes of your set aperture is the focusing distance.

How to Capture Sharp Images Using Distance Scale?

Distance scale can help you determine the hyperfocal distance, and the hyperfocal distance can give you sharp-looking outstanding landscape photos. When you are shooting in such a situation, you want to capture an image where the foreground and background will appear sharp.

You have to focus on an object at the hyperfocal distance, and the image will become sharper overall than if you have focused on the background or foreground. So, using the distance scale, you can determine the hyperfocal distance. Using hyperfocal distance, it is possible to capture sharp landscape photos.

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Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

How can I determine hyperfocal distance using a distance lens?

After adjusting the aperture on the scale, you’ll find the focusing distance. The center point of that focusing distance is the hyperfocal distance.

What does a distance scale can do?

The distance scale on the manual lenses helps youtube set the focusing distance. You can set the focusing distance as you want using this distance scale.

Final words

The distance scale is most commonly seen on manual lenses. Using a distance scale is not so difficult if you know how to use the distance scale on a lens properly. Understanding the use of this scale can help you determine hyperfocal distance, which can help you capture sharp landscapes. Hopefully, this article will let you know the use and how to use the distance scale.