Camera and Lens Guides
The math a camera department works with every day: what stays sharp, what the lens sees, how to match a frame across sensors, and how exposure and anamorphic squeeze add up.
Camera & Lens
- Depth of FieldNear and far limits, what changes them, sensor size and Super 35 charts in feet and meters.Depth of Field
- Hyperfocal DistanceHyperfocal charts for five formats in feet and meters, the formula and when to use it.Depth of Field
- Circle of ConfusionWhat the circle of confusion is, values by format, and when to choose a tighter one.Depth of Field
- Split FocusThe focus point and stop that hold two subjects sharp, with charts and set alternatives.Depth of Field
- Close Focus, Diopters & Extension TubesMinimum focus distance, diopter focus ranges, extension tube magnification and light loss.Close Focus
- Field of View Calculator GuideAngle of view by format, frame size at a distance, and the lens or distance for the frame you want.Field of View
- Crop Factor & Focal Length EquivalenceMatching a shot across sensors: width vs diagonal crop factors, equivalent lenses and equivalent aperture.Focal Length Match
- Cinema Camera Sensor Size ChartActive sensor area per recording mode for current cinema cameras, from the makers' own spec pages.Field of View
- Open Gate vs 16:9 vs AnamorphicHow recording modes and anamorphic squeeze change the horizontal and vertical field of view.Field of View
- Exposure Triangle for CinemaT-stop, shutter angle, EI and ND in stops, what each one costs, and the order a camera team sets them.Exposure
- Shutter Angle vs Shutter SpeedAngle-to-speed charts for every common frame rate, and the flicker-free angles on 50 Hz and 60 Hz power.Exposure
- ND Filter ChartDensity, stops and filter factor for every common ND, ND from a meter reading, stacking and IR.Exposure
- Exposure Value (EV) ChartEV charts for stills and cinema settings, the ISO offset, and a meter EV reading turned into a T-stop and ND.Exposure
- Anamorphic DesqueezeWhat each squeeze gives on each sensor shape, anamorphic sensor modes, desqueezing in post and 2.39:1 delivery sizes.Anamorphic
- Anamorphic vs SphericalScope from anamorphic glass or a spherical 2.39 crop: sensor used, matching focal lengths, look and trade-offs.Anamorphic