Editing View camera (section)

==Operation==
[[File:Sinar F - visée.jpg|thumb|Viewing through a Sinar F camera]]
The camera must be set up in a suitable position. In some cases the subject can also be manipulated, as in a studio. In others the camera must be positioned to photograph subjects such as [[landscape]]s. The camera must be mounted in a way that prevents camera motion for the duration of the exposure. Usually a [[tripod (photography)|tripod]] is used—a camera with a long bellows extension may require two.

To operate the view camera, the photographer opens the shutter on the lens to focus and compose the image on a [[ground glass]] plate on the rear standard. The rear standard holds the ground glass in the same plane that the film later occupies—so that an image focused on the ground glass is focused on the film.  The ground glass image can be somewhat dim and difficult to view in bright light. Photographers often use a focusing cloth or "dark cloth" over their heads and the rear of the camera. The dark cloth shrouds the viewing area and keeps environmental light from obscuring the image.  In the dark space created by the dark cloth, the image appears as bright as it can, so the photographer can view, focus, and compose the image.
[[File:View cameraman on 44 Drive for NYC 2014 Marathon jeh.jpg|left|thumb]]
Often, a photographer uses a magnifying lens, usually a high quality [[loupe]], to critically focus the image. An addition over the ground glass called a [[Fresnel lens]] can considerably brighten the ground glass image (with a slight loss of focusing accuracy).  The taking lens may be stopped down to help gauge depth of field effects and [[vignetting]], but the photographer generally opens the lens to its widest setting for focusing.

The ground glass and frame assembly, known as the spring back, is held in place by springs that pull and hold the ground glass firmly into the plane of focus during the focusing and composition process. Once focusing is complete, the same springs act as a flexible clamping mechanism to press the film holder into the same plane of focus that the ground glass occupied.

To take the photograph, the photographer pulls back the ground glass and slides the film holder into its place. The shutter is then closed and cocked, the [[shutter speed]] and [[aperture]] set. The photographer removes the darkslide that covers the sheet of film in the film holder, and triggers the shutter to make the exposure. Finally, the photographer replaces the darkslide and removes the film holder with the exposed film.

Sheet [[film holder]]s are generally interchangeable between various brands and models of view cameras, adhering to [[de facto standard]]s. The largest cameras and more uncommon formats are less standardized.

Special film holders and accessories can fit in place of standard film holders for specific purposes. A [[Film holder#Multi-sheet holders|Grafmatic]], for example, can fit six sheets of film in the space of an ordinary two-sheet holder, and some [[light meter]]s have an attachment that inserts into the film holder slot on the camera back so the photographer can measure light that falls at a specific point on the film plane. The entire film holder/back assembly is often an industry standard [[Graflex]] back, removable so accessories like roll-film holders and [[digital back|digital imagers]] can be used without altering focus.