View Camera

View cameras are all large format cameras that come in various sizes including 4 x 5, 8 x 10 and larger formats. Regardless of their size, the cameras all have the same basic parts. The ‘lens standard’ is the board onto which the lens is mounted. Different lenses for the same camera should be mounted onto their own lens standard. The ‘film standard’ consists of the ground glass, on which the scene is viewed, which is attached to a door that folds open for holding the film carrier. The fabric bellows that are accordion shaped span the distance between the two standards which are mounted on a monorail. The standards can be moved back and forth along this rail for focusing.