DOF Simulation · About the project
A practical way to learn what changes a photograph.
DOF Simulation is an independently made educational tool published and maintained by Lumiverse. It was created to connect optical formulas with a picture you can manipulate, so photographers can plan a shot and understand the trade-offs instead of receiving only a calculator result.
How the site is made
The numerical model uses documented thin-lens equations. Camera sensor dimensions and lens limits are recorded from linked manufacturer sources, and catalog entries show when their sources were checked. Original illustrated depth scenes let the site calculate separate object planes; generated portrait and backdrop artwork is used only to demonstrate composition and blur.
The model and validation notes document the equations, numerical examples, and limitations. Portraits use an approximate height calibration, not a measured three-dimensional person. We do not claim to reproduce the aberrations, focus breathing, firmware processing, or exact bokeh of an individual lens. For important work, use the result as a starting point and confirm it with a test frame.
Editorial and advertising principles
Educational explanations are written for this project and are not supplied by camera manufacturers or advertisers. Brand names identify equipment and compatibility only. Advertising does not determine which products appear in the catalog, and paid placement is not used in calculator results.
Contact the maker
Email lumiversesoft@gmail.com for calculation corrections, incorrect specifications, accessibility issues or privacy questions. Please include the page URL and camera/lens settings when reporting a calculation issue. Do not send sensitive information or photographs of other people.
For calculation reports, the published equations and worked example make the model reproducible without access to the development repository. Contact and all calculator features are free. Optional support is available separately through Buy Me a Coffee.
How corrections are handled
A report is checked against the stated inputs and optical model. Gear corrections are compared with the manufacturer source; calculation corrections should be reproducible with a worked example. Material changes to a guide receive an updated date. Numerical examples are model outputs, not physical lens tests, and generated artwork is not presented as a real-world sample photograph.
The group-photo exercise includes a shooting test you can carry out yourself. The field worksheet lets you record predictions and observations locally, without uploading photographs. This separation between calculated predictions and observed photographs is important when deciding how much confidence to place in a result.