The Depth-Of-Field Scale - LEITZ LEICA M5 Instructions Manual

LEICA lenses have a fixed ring with
depth-of-field scale (16) , a rotatable
ring for setting the focusing distance
(17) and an iris diaphragm ring (1S).
The depth-of-field scale
The lens reproduces at maximum sharp-
ness the plane, parallel to the film, on
which it is focused . This maximum
sharpness falls off gradually towards
the front and rear ; within a certain
depth , then , the subject will appear
sharp. This depth-of-field depends on
the camera distance, the focal length of
the lens, and the lens aperture set.
Stopping down the lens increases,
opening it up decreases the depth-of-
field .
The depth-of-field scale indicates the
depth-of-field zone for the object dis-
tance on which the lens is focused.
With the 50mm SUMMICRON f/2 focus-
ed on 5m (16ft, Sin) , sharpness at f/4
extends from 4m to about Sm (13ft. 4in
to about 26ft. Sin). However, if you stop
down to f/ 11 at the same focusing dis-
tance , sharpness will extend from 3m to
about 20m (10ft. to about 67ft.) .
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