Just had a read of this book and WOW! I have never read anything so interesting on focusing and DOF in my life. It really turns the classic hyperfocal method on its head... The book is no longer in print, but the author has it available for download here:

http://www.trenholm.org/hmmerk/download.html

This was a good enough read that I'm thinking of buying his "Focusing the View Camera" which is still in print. I recommend the focus book highly!

Isaac

Thanks for the link! :)

The great big picture of Lodalen I've been using to lure people over here for the LF gathering was shot using Merklinger's "reverse focus". http://www.bruraholo.no/images/Lodalen_GF.jpg - it wouldn't have looked so sharp it I'd attepted to use the hyperfocal method! Now there's a 5mm theoretical resolution (165mm lens, f:32) all the way.

Thanks Isaac :)

Merklinger's Focusing the View Camera is helpful for understanding the view camera. In the field, though, I haven't used his charts or focusing aids. The book should be available from Photo-Eye or direct from the author.