Lens Compression Distance Calculator
Lens Compression Distance
Calculate the apparent background compression effect at different focal lengths and subject distances for portrait photography.
Formula
Background Magnification = Focal Length / 50; Compression Ratio = Background Distance / Subject Distance; Field of View = 2 x atan(36 / (2 x Equivalent FL))
Frequently Asked Questions
What is lens compression?
Lens compression is the apparent flattening of depth when using longer focal lengths from farther away. The background appears larger and closer relative to the subject.
What focal length is best for portraits?
85mm to 135mm (full frame equivalent) is ideal for portraits. These focal lengths provide flattering perspective and pleasant background compression.
Does crop factor affect compression?
Crop factor changes the effective field of view but not the actual perspective. A 50mm on APS-C frames like a 75mm on full frame, but the perspective compression is determined by the subject distance, not the focal length itself.
You may also need
A
Camera Sensor Crop Factor Calculator
Calculate equivalent focal length and field of view based on your camera sensor size and crop factor.
Science~
Depth of Field Calculator
Free depth of field calculator. Calculate DOF, hyperfocal distance, and circle of confusion for any camera and lens combination.
Everyday