Intro to TrueDoF-Pro

TrueDoF-Pro is a major step forward in depth of field calculators:

•TrueDoF-Pro differs from other calculators in that its algorithm for calculating depth of field includes the effects of diffraction. This gives the user a MUCH MORE ACCURATE indication of how sharp the image will be. (See the important note below regarding the practical effects of this.)

•The primary mode of display is the analog scale, making it so much easier to see, with a mere glance, what’s going on and to see how things change as you change inputs. Add to this the extraordinarily fast input methods, and you have a depth of field calculator that simply does its job and gets out of the way. TrueDoF-Pro, like its sister app, OptimumCS-Pro, is specifically intended for professionals who don’t want to fiddle with their tools but, instead, want to get on with the job.

•TrueDoF-Pro allows the user to easily work with a desired output in mind. Depth of field depends not only on focal length, focus distance and aperture, it depends also on the desired output quality. With TrueDoF-Pro, you have two options on setting target output quality:
‣Cinematographers, and those photographers who choose to do so, may set a target blur spot diameter (analogous to setting a circle of confusion)
‣Photographers who prefer not go through mental gyrations trying to relate blur spot diameter on the image sensor with the final output on print or on a computer screen may, instead, work directly with the desired output: How big a print do you want? How sharp an image is sufficiently sharp for you? Stick with the default values, set them to your own personally acceptable default values, or vary these quantities as the need arises. Whatever you choose, it’s all intuitive, simple and fast.

•TrueDoF-Pro offers versatility, customisability and usability:
‣A “hyperfocal” function - a tap of the HF button sets the focus distance so that the far limit of depth of field is at infinity. While the function is engaged, the focus distance and the near limit of depth of field change on the distance scale as you change focal length or aperture.
‣User-definable focal length presets, for even faster selection of focal lengths.
‣Three user-selectable distance scales.
‣Two user-selectable aperture scales.
‣Aperture slider snap to half or third stops.
‣A large, easier-to-read digital readout display.
The wealth of features, far from adding to complexity, simply add versatility and allow customisability that actually makes the app much faster and easier and more pleasurable to use than other calculators - you’ll never go back to another depth of field calculator.

IMPORTANT: Please be aware that, at particularly large f-numbers, diffraction effects become quite pronounced and result in diminished depth of field. You will notice that, as you increase the f-number, you reach a point where the depth of field actually begins to drop. At some large f-number, the depth of the region of acceptable sharpness drops to zero. This is because, at such an f-number and above, diffraction produces so much blurring that the sharpness standards you have specified on the settings screen cannot be met.

A note on intended use:

TrueDoF-Pro is designed for professionals who want an accurate, versatile and easy way to calculate the depth of field produced by their chosen camera settings. In many situations, however, it is best to work quite differently: Compose your shot, specifying the distances to the nearest and furthest objects that you wish to appear sharp in your shot and, from that, have an app determine the camera settings (focus distance and aperture) that will give you the SHARPEST POSSIBLE IMAGE. For that, there is only one app: OptimumCS-Pro, the unique optimum camera settings calculator, also available on the App Store. For more details, see Best Practice in Working with Depth of Field.

✓Easily determine the depth of field you’re really getting
✓Based on solid, empirically tested optical science, including a consideration of diffraction
✓Fast, intuitive operation