What aperture for hyperfocal distance

[2seas]

Does it matter what aperture you choose when focusing at the hyperfocal distance (for landscape photography)?

I understand that the choice of aperture affects how much of the foreground will be in focus but otherwise is there any difference in choosing a different aperture if you're always focused on the hyperfocal distance?

I've read that each lens has a 'sweet spot' in terms of aperture so I guess that's the value that should be chosen and then the hyperfocal point worked out from that as the starting point?

[DIW35]

The actual focus point for hyperfocal focussing is different for each aperture setting. Old manual lenses used to have the aperture markings next to the focus ring to allow you to set the hyperfocal distance for any given aperture.

[Killwilly]

DIW35 said:

The actual focus point for hyperfocal focussing is different for each aperture setting. Old manual lenses used to have the aperture markings next to the focus ring to allow you to set the hyperfocal distance for any given aperture.

Like this one.

[Mr Will]

I think you are confusing focusing at infinity and focussing at the hyperfocal distance. The first is focussing as far away as the lens will let you (and is not affected by aperture) the second is focusing at some point closer than that so that the rear edge of your DoF just touches infinity - this is affected by the aperture you use.

[DibblyDobbler]

This page is quite helpful - try a few examples in the calculator

http://dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

[struttob]

I think that you may find that second red line is for refocussing when using infra red film.

Bob

[fake7]

this is how I understand it to work (but I could be wrong!)...

using the lens above as an example, at F4 everything between the left and right 4 will be in focus. So if focussed at infinity, you can put the infinity mark to the righthand 4 and therefore bring more things into focus by a few feet.

At F16 on the above lens, this method would mean that everything would be in focus from about 3 feet instead of 5 feet

Hope this helps and makes sense!