The view camera is a type of camera with a long pedigree which is still used today by professional and amateur photographers who want full control of their images. The view camera is basically a light-tight box with attached bellows, with a film sheet or plate at one end(the rear standard) and a lens at the other (the front standard). The image is composed and focused on a ground glass plate. As the ground glass image is sometimes difficult to view, the photographer may use a cloth to cover their head and the rear of the camera to assist in composition. To take the picture the glass is replaced with a sheet of film in a film holder.
The lens and film standards are not fixed relative to each other (unlike most cameras), this allows movements of the lens and film plane in respect to each other.
Generally, view cameras are built for large film formats (measurements in inches): 4x5, 5x7, 4x10, 5x12, 8x10, 11x14, 8x20, 12x20, 20x24, and 30x40 are all popular formats.
The advantages of view cameras are :
- Large film format allows a very detailed picture and allows for enlargement with less "grain" or loss of quality. Also allows for contact printing at easily viewable sizes without use of an enlarged negative - the prefered method for alternative process printing.
- 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 elminated. 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 'Schiempflug 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.
- Lack of automation: view cameras are fully manual. Cconsequently, novice users (and even us veterans!) are prone to making numerous mistakes throughout the process.
- Size, weight: the old addage is "View camera photographers have strong backs and weak minds." may raise a smile from some praticioners.
- Time to set-up and compose: not exactly optimal for that image that isn't going to hang around, though Paul Caponigro did get get very lucky with his "Running White Deer".
