Unlike most 35mm lenses, and even most medium format optics, large format lenses don't have a Depth-of-Field (DOF) scale. A very handy feature, a DOF scale tells you, at any given f-stop setting, what will be in focus. While this is crucial information, the only option for the large format user is to stop the lens down to the taking aperture, and try to visually see what will be in focus. But in most situations, this is a waste of time -- due to the darkening of the ground-glass image when the lens is stopped-down to the taking aperture.
Fortunately, there is a simple solution -- an almost completely free, home-made, easy-to-make, customizable, DOF scale (or set of scales) specifically designed by you to match your lens(es) and your photographic preferences -- a free software program from DOFMaster.
It's hard to live without DOF scales -- regardless of if you are a scenic photographer, a portrait photographer, or anything in between.
To begin, you first choose how big you want your DOF scale(s) to be,
from small and pocketable -- to larger and easier to read. Next, you
select which lens(es) you want to include on the scale -- from one to four
(see above). Then you choose the focal length(s) and the circle(s)
of confusion (or use the default).
You also tell the program what f-stops you want included on each scale,
as well as how close you want the distance to be. There is even more
features that you can customize, and its best to get familiar with all of
the options before finalizing your scale(s).
Next, print out the scale(s) -- simple card stock is perfect. Choose white -- or a bright color to make them easy to find -- or color code them by focal length.
Then laminate the scale(s) on both sides with easy-to-get, laminate sheets -- which adds rigidity, and make the dial(s) waterproof.
Finally, connect everything together in the center with inexpensive grommets.
To use, you turn the inner dial to the "film-to-subject distance", and the outer dial displays the near and far in-focus points for each f-stop -- for your given circle of confusion.
Don't forget to save your program to your hard drive -- you can always load it again at a later date to make "improvements".
To download the free program, and see other options visit:
I use them with my 14 lenses (excluding my four macro & micro lenses), and have seven DOF scales -- two lenses on each scale. I don't need to use them with my seven pinhole "lenses", since everything is in focus at f400!