Calculate Fov From Focal Length

Field of View Formula:

\[ FOV = 2 \times \arctan\left(\frac{36}{2 \times \text{Focal Length}}\right) \times \left(\frac{180}{\pi}\right) \]

Field of View (FOV):

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1. What is Field of View (FOV)?

Field of View (FOV) is the extent of the observable world seen through a camera lens at any given moment, measured in degrees. It determines how much of a scene will be captured in the photograph.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the FOV formula for 35mm sensor:

\[ FOV = 2 \times \arctan\left(\frac{36}{2 \times \text{Focal Length}}\right) \times \left(\frac{180}{\pi}\right) \]

Where:

36 — Sensor width of full-frame 35mm camera (mm)
Focal Length — The focal length of the lens (mm)

Explanation: The formula calculates the angular field of view based on the lens focal length and sensor size, converting the result from radians to degrees.

3. Importance of FOV Calculation

Details: Understanding FOV helps photographers choose the right lens for their needs, predict how much of a scene will be captured, and plan compositions effectively.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the focal length in millimeters. The value must be greater than 0. The calculator assumes a full-frame (35mm) sensor.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does this work for crop sensor cameras?
A: This calculation is for full-frame (35mm) sensors. For crop sensors, multiply the result by the crop factor.

Q2: What are typical FOV values?
A: Wide-angle lenses (e.g., 24mm) have ~84° FOV, normal lenses (50mm) ~47°, telephoto (200mm) ~12°.

Q3: Why is 36mm used in the formula?
A: 36mm is the width of a 35mm film frame/full-frame digital sensor (36×24mm).

Q4: Can I calculate vertical FOV with this?
A: This calculates horizontal FOV. For vertical FOV, replace 36 with 24 (sensor height).

Q5: How does FOV relate to lens type?
A: Smaller FOV numbers mean narrower views (telephoto), larger numbers mean wider views (wide-angle).