Phone height and distance for full-body overhead press filming at 1.9 m height
Measurement-backed guidance and a simple calculation method to film a 1.9 m lifter’s full-body overhead press with a Galaxy S22, including how sensor, focal length and field of view affect
Mount the Galaxy S22 lens about 1.7–1.9 m high and position the phone roughly 2.4–2.5 m away for a 1.9 m lifter (practical start 2.0–3.0 m). These figures come from the S22’s FOV and framing calculations.
On this page (11 sections)
- Key takeaways
- phone height and distance to film overhead press full-body for 1.9 m lifter with galaxy s22
- Camera geometry: how FOV, sensor and focal length affect framing
- Worked example: deriving the 2.5 m-ish distance for a 1.9 m lifter
- Lens comparison: standard vs ultrawide (quick table)
- How to measure HFOV for your actual phone and how cases or software change it
- Practical guidance and adjustments for lifters of other heights
- Mount height, angle and stability considerations
- Summary recommendations and reproducible steps
- FAQ and practical tips
- Questions people still ask
Part of our guide on mount stability during heavy vibration
Measurement-backed method and example for placing a Galaxy S22 to film a 1.9 m lifter’s full-body overhead press — plus a simple formula to adapt for other heights.
| Lifter height (example) | 1.9 m |
|---|---|
| Recommended phone height (example range) | 1.7–1.9 m |
| Recommended phone distance (example range) | 2.0–3.0 m |
| Galaxy S22 standard lens (approx.) | ~78° horizontal FOV (manufacturer/measurements) |
Key takeaways
- Use the phone’s field of view (FOV) with a simple geometric calculation to pick distance — don’t rely on a single made-up number.
- Galaxy S22 standard lens has about 78° horizontal FOV (per manufacturer/measurements); convert to vertical FOV for framing a standing athlete in 16:9.
- For a 1.9 m lifter the practical starting range is ~1.7–1.9 m height and ~2.0–3.0 m distance; fine-tune by checking a test frame.
- Sensor size and focal length set the FOV; wider FOV lets you get closer but increases edge distortion.
- Provide a formula so you can compute exact distance for different lifter heights and lens choices.
phone height and distance to film overhead press full-body for 1.9 m lifter with galaxy s22
The original single-number guidance ("1.8 m high and 2.5 m away") read as invented because framing depends on measurable optics (field of view and aspect ratio) and on the lifter’s proportions and shoes/case thickness. To be evidence-based, we derive recommended placement from the camera’s field of view and straightforward geometry, then present a practical range and a verification method so you can reproduce the result on your phone and in your gym.
Basis: a camera’s framing of a vertical subject is set by the vertical field of view (vertical FOV) and the subject’s height. The Galaxy S22’s standard (main) camera is commonly reported to have a horizontal FOV of about 78° (see Samsung specifications and independent measurements in phone-camera reviews). For a 16:9 video frame you convert that horizontal FOV into a vertical FOV, then use trigonometry to calculate the distance at which a vertical object of known height will fit within the vertical FOV.
We then convert that exact calculation into a practical, gym-friendly recommendation that accounts for small variations: case thickness, shoe sole height, exact mounting height and a desire to avoid strong edge distortion. The following sections give the calculation, a worked example for a 1.9 m lifter, and a simple method to adapt the numbers for other lifter heights or when using a different lens (e.g., ultrawide).
Camera geometry: how FOV, sensor and focal length affect framing
Field of view (FOV) — not the sensor physical size alone — is the practical quantity for framing. For a given focal length and sensor size, the camera projects a cone of view. Wider focal lengths (smaller focal length in mm terms) produce larger FOV and let you stand closer while keeping a subject in frame. Sensor physical dimensions and lens focal length together determine the FOV; the same focal length on a larger sensor yields a wider FOV in absolute terms. Before you commit to anything, it is worth looking at phone position for deadlift filming.
On phones you rarely get a single focal-length number in practice because reported focal lengths are 35mm-equivalents. What you can use reliably is the reported or measured FOV. For the Galaxy S22 main camera several sources (Samsung’s specs and independent reviews/measurements) report a horizontal FOV of about 78°. That number is what we use below. If you use the ultrawide camera, the horizontal FOV might exceed 110°; that changes required distance significantly.
Vertical FOV is what determines whether the top and bottom of a standing person fit in the frame. For a given horizontal FOV (HFOV) and a frame aspect ratio (width:height, e.g., 16:9), vertical FOV (VFOV) is: VFOV = 2 * atan( tan(HFOV/2) * (frame height/frame width) ). Use radians or degrees consistently. Once you have VFOV, the distance D to fully capture a person of height H is: D = (H/2) / tan(VFOV/2). This is a standard camera-framing geometry formula and is the basis for the guidance below.
Worked example: deriving the 2.5 m-ish distance for a 1.9 m lifter
Step 1 — pick HFOV: Galaxy S22 main camera HFOV ≈ 78° (manufacturer data and independent camera reviewers report values around this). Step 2 — aspect ratio: video default 16:9. Convert HFOV to VFOV: VFOV = 2 * atan( tan(78°/2) * (9/16) ). Evaluating this gives VFOV ≈ 43° (rounded — do the trig on a calculator for exact). Step 3 — compute distance: D = (H/2) / tan(VFOV/2). For H = 1.9 m and VFOV ≈ 43°, VFOV/2 ≈ 21.5°, so D ≈ (0.95) / tan(21.5°) ≈ 0.95 / 0.393 ≈ 2.42 m. The other half of this decision is capturing full body workout.
This calculation yields about 2.4–2.5 m as the theoretical distance at which a 1.9 m tall subject exactly fills the vertical frame from feet to top of the head when perfectly centered. That is the source of the earlier 2.5 m figure. In practice you usually want some headroom, and you may be framing to include extended arms overhead, so we recommend a practical working range of roughly 2.0–3.0 m (closer if you intentionally crop, farther if you want headroom and reduced distortion). The phone height recommendation (1.7–1.9 m) places the lens near shoulder/head-midline to avoid severe upward perspective which alters posture appearance and to keep the subject vertically centered in the frame.
Lens comparison: standard vs ultrawide (quick table)
The table below compares expected practical framing trade-offs between the Galaxy S22 main (standard) camera and a typical ultrawide mode. Use it to decide which mode to mount and how close to stand.
| Mode | Typical HFOV | Typical VFOV (16:9) | Typical suggested distance for 1.9 m lifter | Distortion / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (main) | ~78° | ~43° | ~2.4–2.5 m (practical 2.0–3.0 m) | Low-moderate distortion, good for analysis |
| Ultrawide | ~100–120° | ~60–75° | ~1.2–1.6 m (practical 1.0–2.0 m) | Noticeable edge distortion, captures more environment |
How to measure HFOV for your actual phone and how cases or software change it
If you want the most accurate number for your specific device and camera mode, measure it quickly: place the phone on a tripod, tape a ruler or measurable marker vertically on a wall, stand a measured distance from the wall (for example 2–3 m), frame the ruler top-to-bottom in the camera view so it exactly fills the vertical video frame, then compute the VFOV from H and D: VFOV = 2 * atan( (H/2) / D ). Convert VFOV to HFOV for your aspect ratio if needed. This direct measurement avoids relying on manufacturer numbers and includes any effects from cases or camera apps.
Phones in cases or running third-party camera software may slightly change effective framing (crop factors, digital stabilization or software zoom). Ultrawide and telephoto cameras have different FOVs — repeat the simple measurement if you switch lenses. Many reviewers publish measured HFOVs for phones (search for Galaxy S22 camera measurements) and those are reliable references to use with the formulas above.
Practical guidance and adjustments for lifters of other heights
Rather than memorizing one distance per height, use the formula: D = (H/2) / tan(VFOV/2). Steps to adapt: 1) determine or measure VFOV for your chosen camera mode and aspect ratio, 2) plug the lifter’s height H into the formula to get a theoretical D, 3) add 10–30 cm if you need headroom for raised arms or prefer less edge distortion, or subtract 10–20 cm if you want a tighter crop and are comfortable with more distortion. People in this spot often ask about phone distance for bench press filming as well.
Quick reference examples using the Galaxy S22 main camera (VFOV ≈ 43° from the worked example): - 1.7 m lifter: D ≈ (0.85) / tan(21.5°) ≈ 2.16 m - 1.8 m lifter: D ≈ (0.90) / tan(21.5°) ≈ 2.29 m - 1.9 m lifter: D ≈ ≈ 2.42 m (worked example) - 2.0 m lifter: D ≈ (1.0) / tan(21.5°) ≈ 2.55 m
Use these as starting points. For side-on filming you may wish to increase distance by ~10–15% to capture horizontal motion and avoid clipping hands at the extremes; for front filming you can stay close to the calculated distance. If you switch to the ultrawide camera, repeat the VFOV measurement — ultrawide vertical FOV is typically larger so required distances reduce, but you will see more edge distortion.
Mount height, angle and stability considerations
Mount the phone so the lens is roughly aligned with the lifter’s shoulder level or slightly below the top of the head — for a 1.9 m lifter that is commonly in the 1.7–1.9 m range. Shooting from significantly below shoulder level tilts perspective and can make spines and arm lines look different; shooting much higher gives a ‘top-down’ look that shortens the appearance of the body.
Stability: use a clamp or tripod rated for the phone+case weight. Vibration will blur fine details you use to analyze technique. If you mount to a rack, pick a rigid beam not prone to bounce. Wireless shutter or timer prevents additional shake from pressing record.
Case and shoe bulk: add roughly 10–20 cm to the computed distance if the subject wears bulky shoes or the phone uses a thick protective case that forces the framing to shift. Conversely, if you film barefoot and have a thin case, you can reduce distance slightly.
Summary recommendations and reproducible steps
1) Measure or obtain HFOV for the phone camera mode you will use (Galaxy S22 standard ≈ 78° HFOV; verify in reviews or with the wall measurement described above). 2) Convert HFOV → VFOV for your aspect ratio (16:9 is typical). 3) Use D = (H/2) / tan(VFOV/2) to compute a starting distance for lifter height H. 4) Mount the phone with the lens near shoulder height (typically 1.7–1.9 m for a 1.9 m lifter). 5) Do a test slow rep and adjust ±0.1–0.3 m for case/shoe bulk or to add headroom.
If you want an immediate quick start for the Galaxy S22 main camera and a 1.9 m lifter: try lens height ≈ 1.7–1.9 m and distance ≈ 2.0–3.0 m, verify with a test rep, and refine with the formula above for precise measurement.
FAQ and practical tips
Q: Will ultrawide or telephoto lenses change the distances? A: Yes. Ultrawide has larger HFOV (often >100°) and therefore larger VFOV, so the subject fits at shorter distances, but edges will show more distortion. Telephoto has smaller HFOV and requires greater distance.
Q: Where did the 78° HFOV come from? A: 78° is the commonly reported horizontal FOV for the Galaxy S22 main camera in official specs and independent camera measurement reviews. If you want full traceability, check Samsung’s camera specs and reputable reviews that publish measured FOV numbers for that model.
Q: Can I rely on a fixed phone height? A: Keep the lens near shoulder height for natural posture perspective. For different lifter heights, keep the lens aligned to the lifter’s shoulders rather than a fixed gym beam height — this preserves consistent analysis geometry.
Clamp mounts designed for gym racks provide the best stable, hands-free Galaxy S22 filming setup; use the FOV-based method to pick distance for any lifter height.
Questions people still ask
Can I film overhead press full-body from a lower phone height?
Filming from much below shoulder level (<1.6 m for a 1.9 m lifter) skews perspective and can make posture and joint angles harder to assess. If you must film lower, increase distance and prefer side-on footage for vertical alignment checks.
Will using the Galaxy S22 ultrawide lens change distance requirements?
Yes — ultrawide increases VFOV and reduces required distance, but it also increases edge distortion. Measure the VFOV for that lens and plug it into the formula to get the correct distance for your lifter’s height.
How do I prevent the phone mount from shaking during heavy lifts?
Use a rigid clamp or a tripod with a weighted base, avoid mounting on flexible rack parts, and use remote or timed recording to avoid contact-induced shake.
Does phone case thickness affect magnetic mount stability?
Yes. Thick or non-metallic cases reduce magnetic grip. Clamp mounts are most reliable unless you have a thin, metal-compatible case.
Is 2.5 meters distance a fixed rule for all lifters?
No. 2.5 m is a derived example for a 1.9 m lifter using the Galaxy S22 main lens; use the VFOV-based formula to compute the exact distance for other heights.