View camera

The view camera is a type of camera with a very long history (some modern examples are often mistaken for antiques), but they are still used today by professional and amateur photographers who want full control of their images. The view camera is basically a light-tight assembly comprised of a flexible mid-section, or bellows, attached to a device that holds a film sheet, photo plate or digital imager at one end (the rear standard) and a similar one that holds the lens at the other end (the front standard). The front and rear standards are not fixed relative to each other (unlike most cameras). Movement of the front and rear standards allows the photographer to move the lens and film plane independently for precise control of the image's focus, depth of field and perspective.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

• Large film format allows a very detailed picture and for enlargement with less "grain" or loss of quality. It also allows for contact printing at easily viewable sizes without use of an enlarged negative—the preferred method for alternative process printing.
• The larger film sizes used in view cameras allows photographs made with them to exhibit more discreet steps in the tonal range from black to white allowing for smoother surface tonality on objects represented in finished prints.
• Elimination of converging lines when the camera is angled and looking at parallel lines. As an example, if one were to take a camera sitting on the ground, and point it up at a tall building, the parallel lines of the building would converge at a point. By realigning the front and rear standards of a view camera to be perpendicular to the ground, this phenomenon is eliminated. This is useful in architecture photography.
• The ability to place the plane of sharp focus. In a 'normal' camera the lens and film planes are always parallel to one another. By use of the Scheimpflug principle and the Hinge rule, the camera operator is able to place the plane of sharp focus, thus achieving an image with all the chosen elements in focus. Either standard can be manipulated (tilted through the horizontal, or swung through the vertical) to achieve this effect. It must be noted that such movements on the rear standard will also affect the perspective of the image.
• The camera operator is forced to think about the proposed shot. The weight of the camera (and associated equipment such as lenses, tripod, film holders etc) does not lead to simple 'snap' shots. Having said that, many of the famous press images of the 30s and 40s were produced with hand-held 5x4 format cameras.
• Lenses generally have leaf shutters that will synchronize with flash at all speeds although most lenses have a maximum shutter speed of 1/500 second.

Disadvantages

• Lack of automation: most view cameras are fully manual. Consequently, novice users and even veterans are prone to making numerous mistakes throughout the process. Sinar cameras go some way to making the process less time-consuming, with self-cocking shutters and film-plane metering.
• Size and weight: the old adage "View camera photographers have strong backs and weak minds" may raise a smile from some practitioners.
• Time to set up and compose: not exactly optimal for that image that isn't going to hang around, though Paul Caponigro did get very lucky with his "Running White Deer".
• Cost: view cameras are often hand-built and made with limited production runs which tends to push up the cost when compared to other, mass-produced, camera types. Sheet film is also quite expensive compared to roll film.
• The long focal length lenses required for view cameras, especially for large format film sizes, are slow and have shallow depth of field compared to smaller format cameras.

Some of these disadvantages can be turned into advantages. For example, set-up and composure time can tend to cause the photographer to slow down, thus, forcing her to visualize the image beforehand. Because view cameras are rather difficult to set up and focus, the photographer must scout the location for the best vantage point, perspective, etc. before snapping the shutter. One of the most important tips often given to beginning 35mm photographers it for them to use a tri-pod for the specific reason that a tri-pod will slow down the process. This is especially true for the view camera user.

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