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(Depth of field, sunrise, sunset indicator)
Available direct from Blue Pond Images (See below)
To purchase now using PayPal, Click Here
also available from SPEED GRAPHIC and WAREHOUSE EXPRESS Ltd (Details at bottom of page)
Information on NEW DEPSSI Cards click here
What is the Depssi card?
It is a handy guide/reference card that has two functions; it enables the
‘outdoor photographer’ to quickly select the ‘hyperfocal’ distance (see below)
for different lenses (or zoom settings) using various apertures, and as a bonus,
the reverse side of the card gives the angles/positions of sunrise and sunset
for every month.
The card is made in a durable plastic suitable for prolonged use. The size of a
credit card, it can be tucked into a wallet/purse or secured to your camera bag
until needed.
‘Depth Of Field’
The ‘depth of field,’(DOF) in a photograph is, as most photographers know,
crucial to the final image. Usually, (although, not always) maximum ‘DOF’ is
required for landscape photography to achieve ‘front to back’ sharpness. This is
best achieved by focusing at the ‘hyperfocal’ distance.(everything
from half the hyperfocal distance to infinity will be in focus!) The
problem is, many camera lenses do not have sufficient markings to determine what
that distance is. This distance changes, depending on the lens focal length, &
f/stop(aperture) being used, and, just to complicate matters further, digital
cameras(with sensors smaller than 35mm) differ again!
That’s why two cards have been produced:
| 1/. ‘Green coloured’ – for 35mm & ‘full frame’ digital camera sensors. 2/. ‘Blue coloured’- for 1.5x/1.6x digital camera sensors.
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The Mathematical equations For those of you who might be interested, the equations used for the ‘Depssi’ cards are shown: Hyperfocal distance= L2/(DxF) where L=lens focal length D=diameter of the circle Of least confusion (0.029-for 35mm) (0.019-for 1.5/1.6 digital) F=aperture (f/stop)
e.g. using a 35mm SLR with a 24mm wide angle lens @ f/8 |
For Cheque purchases: When ordering direct from Blue Pond Images, please remember:
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Sunrise/sunset
The sunrise/sunset indicator on the reverse side of the ‘Depssi’ card is useful
for many outdoor photography situations. Knowing these positions can improve
your chances of taking a great picture, immensely, and crucial for landscape
buffs!
You may find when out at dawn shooting landscapes, you are able to determine
using the Depssi card that sunset may give a better angle of lighting, or
perhaps the angles will be more favourable in a few months time when you can
return to capture that magical image!
True North
On o.s. maps you will find reference to three ‘Norths’.
1. True North
2. Magnetic North
3. Grid North
The ‘Depssi’ card ‘North arrow’ should be pointed towards TRUE North. Currently,
True North, is approx 2-3 degrees east of Magnetic North. (Check your map for
up-to-date information.)
Please note: The positions shown for the sun are given as averages for each
month. (For British Isles use). They can differ by several degrees even within a four week period!
Cards may differ slightly from those shown as improvements are added.
Please note: The Depssi card should not be used as a navigational device.
The Depssi Card has had a few improvements made to widen
its appeal. The sunrise/sunset angles, primarily designed for the U.K., are
applicable to many other regions of the world which are indicated on the latest
designs (cards 1&2). See list for more information. In addition, a brand new
version for sunrise/set positions (cards 3&4) has been introduced to cover most
of the U.S.A., the Mediterranean, Northern China and Japan.
See list (and map of U.S.A.)
for cards 3 and 4 for more detailed information.
Please note: if you purchased one of the original Depssi cards, the sun angles
are the same as for new cards 1and 2.
NEW DEPSSI numbers 1&2 Lat 45°-55° N (as for original Depssi cards)
Can be used: U.K., Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Poland, Germany, Czech Rep,
Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, most of France,(north of Bordeaux) Also Milan,
Vancouver, and Seattle.
TO PURCHASE, CLICK THE PAYPAL LOGO'S BELOW
| Card 1(Front/Back) | Card 2(Front/Back) |
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| *Green No:1 | *Blue No:2 |
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| Green for 35mm and full frame digital SLRs | Blue for digital sensors of 1.5x and 1.6x |
*FOR BULK ORDERS OF 31 OR MORE PLEASE CONTACT
info@bluepondimages.com for
delivery costs
NEW DEPSSI numbers 3&4 Lat 35°-45° N (U.S.A., Mediterranean, Japan)
Can be used: U.S.A.—anywhere between Minneapolis in
the north and as far south as Los Angeles including New York, Denver, San
Francisco, Washington D.C, St.Louis. Memphis. Also, Portugal, Spain, Southern
France, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Cyprus, Japan, Beijing, and coastal
areas of Morocco, Algiers, and Tunisia.
| Card 3(Front/Back) | Card 4(Front/Back) |
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| *Green No:3 | *Blue No:4 |
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| Green for 35mm and full frame digital SLRs | Blue for digital sensors of 1.5x and 1.6x |
*FOR BULK ORDERS OF 31 OR MORE PLEASE CONTACT
info@bluepondimages.com for
delivery costs
Map of U.S.A. Red band shows area of use for Cards 3 & 4
Of course, the hyperfocal charts can be used anywhere in the world!
Q. How accurate are the sun position angles?
A. Although the sunrise/set angles vary slightly
each month, the cards show an average position and we have found the accuracy
more than adequate for planning photo forays.
Q. And the hyperfocal charts?
A. The formulas used to indicate hyperfocal
distances are based on photographic industry standards and are very accurate,
and indeed can be rounded off in practice.
Q. Why not have more lens/aperture combinations for
the hyperfocal charts?
A. With an information product the size of a credit
card, available space is limited. I have chosen the most popular combinations
where maximum depth of field is needed.
Q. The hyperfocal distances are given in metres,
could you also provide a card in feet and yards?
A. No plans to produce cards in ft/yds as metric is
more or less universal. However, if preferred, the conversions to feet can be
marked on to the Depssi cards using a permanent fine tip marker, such as a CD
writer pen.
(Multiply metres by 3.28 to give feet) e.g. 1.2m x 3.28= 4ft approx.
Q. Do I always need to use a compass with the
Depssi card?
A. No! I often place my card on a map of the area
I’m planning a shoot, and it is sufficient to point the red North arrow to the
top of the map, the lines on the Depssi card will indicate the sunrise and
sunset angles. Easy!
And if you are out taking photos at dawn you can simply point the sunrise line
on the Depssi card towards the sun and the sunset line (for the relevant month)
will indicate the position of the sun at dusk.(which may give a better angle of
light). Of course, the procedure can also be done in reverse.
Q. Hyperfocal distances vary depending on the type
of camera being used, how can I tell if a Depssi card can be used with my camera
system?
A. The Green Depssi cards (nos. 1&3) are designed
for 35mm SLRs and ‘full frame’ digital cameras.
The Blue Depssi cards (nos. 2&4) are designed for digital SLRs with cropped
sensors of 1.5x and 1.6x.
Is your digital SLR compatible with a Blue card?........simply divide the
equivalent focal length by the actual focal length.(these figures should be
found in your camera instruction manual). With zoom lenses, use the minimum or
maximum focal length figures indicated for your camera system.
E.g. if the equivalent focal length is 24mm and the actual is 16mm =
24÷16=1.5 in this example the cropped sensor is 1.5x.
Priced @ around £2.95, this represents great value for money.
The ‘Depssi’ card is available from:-
SPEED GRAPHIC Mail Order Ltd
Tel: 08453 305530 or 01420 543366
Fax: 01420 543544
www.speedgraphic.co.uk
AND:
WAREHOUSE EXPRESS Ltd
Tel: 01603 258012
Fax: 01603 258950
www.warehouseexpress.com
© Phil Myers - Blue Pond Images
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