Portrait Framing Calculator: Lens & Camera Distance
Start with your own readings. Calculate the change, verify a frame, and save what works.
Portrait framing planner
Find the camera distance for your lens, or a lens that fits your available space.
Will your portrait fit in the room?
Enter the width and height to include, your sensor format and camera orientation. Find a starting camera distance for your lens, or a lens focal length for your available camera distance.
Enable JavaScript to calculate. Camera distance and light distance are separate measurements. Lens breathing, distortion and close focusing need an actual framing check.
Learn more: examples, explanations & common questions
Plan a portrait frame from the result you want
Choose the subject area, sensor format and orientation. Solve a starting camera distance for a lens or a focal length for your available camera position, then check whether the distance fits the room.
- Measure the width and height to include. Choose orientation, sensor format and a framing allowance.
- Choose whether to solve camera distance or lens focal length. Enter the usable camera-to-subject space after leaving room around the setup.
- Check the actual viewfinder, focus and movement space. Then plan the light position and meter flash separately.
A 3 × 6 ft subject area with 10% allowance on full frame in portrait orientation needs about 15.6 ft with an 85 mm lens, or 9.2 ft with a 50 mm lens. Check the actual lens because nominal focal length and close-focus behavior can differ.
Is this my light-to-subject distance?
No. This is camera-to-subject distance. Place the light separately for direction, softness, falloff and coverage.
Does a fit mean the whole studio setup fits?
No. This compares camera distance only. Check room width, ceiling, stands, subject-to-background space, access and focus separately.
Should I enter equivalent focal length?
Enter the actual focal length printed on the lens and choose the active sensor format. Digital cropping and fisheye projection are not modeled.
Learn the decision behind the setting.
By Dwayne of DNA Premium Portraits, Sacramento-area portrait photographer. See formulas, assumptions and equipment sources.
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