There has been a resurgence in the view camera and contemplative photography in the past years. The 35mm single-lens reflex is the most popular camera today; the older format view camera is also alive. The reason is apparent if you examine the possibilities by the view camera:

The view camera is no pop-it-to-your-eye-and-push-the-button camera. Our view of pictures is built by the perspective we see in many images on the internet. Many are warped, and leaning buildings and misshapen objects are accepted. We are dimly aware óf pictures in which the sides of a building are parallel, and things appearing sharp from the immediate foreground to the farthest edge. All this can be made come true with a view camera.

In the past, the view camera was an inconvenient and cumbersome machine. As these disadvantages have not wholly disappeared, today's view camera is a versatile tool with unique backs and film holders. You can use different wide-angle bellows, reflex hoods, digital backs, and the like; in fact, a vast collection of parts - a "system" instead of just a camera. Although camera models differ in detail, they are all similar in most of their controls and operations. They vary in the degree of refinement and quality, but basically, they are all alike.