Editing View camera (section)

=== Disadvantages ===
* '''Lack of automation''': most view cameras are fully manual, requiring time, and allowing even experienced photographers to make mistakes. Some cameras, such as [[Sinar]]s, have some degree of automation with self-cocking shutters and film-plane metering.
* '''Steep learning curve''': In addition to needing the knowledge required to operate a fully manual camera, view camera operators must understand a large number of technical matters that are not an issue to most small format photographers.  They must understand, for example, view camera movements, bellows factors, and reciprocity. A great amount of time and study is needed to master those aspects of large format photography, so learning view camera operation requires a high degree of dedication.
* '''Large size and weight''': monorail view cameras are unsuitable for handheld photography and are in most cases difficult to transport. A folding bed field camera like a [[Linhof|Linhof Technika]] with a lens-coupled range finder system even allows action photography.
* '''Shallow depth of field''': view cameras require longer focal length lenses than smaller format cameras, especially for the larger sizes, with shallower depth of field.
* '''Small maximum aperture''': it is not feasible to make long focal length lenses with the wide maximum apertures available with shorter focal lengths.
* '''High cost''': there is limited demand for view cameras, so that there are no economies of scale and they are much more expensive than mass-produced cameras. Some are handmade. Even though the cost of sheet film and processing is much higher than rollfilm, fewer sheets of film are exposed, which partially offsets the cost.

Some of these disadvantages can be viewed as advantages.  For example, slow setup and composure time allow the photographer to better visualize the image before making an exposure. The shallow depth of field can be used to emphasize certain details and deemphasize others (in [[bokeh]] style, for example), especially combined with camera movements. The high cost of film and processing encourages careful planning. Because view cameras are rather difficult to set up and focus, the photographer must seek the best camera position, perspective, etc. before exposing.  Beginning [[135 film|35&nbsp;mm]] photographers are even sometimes advised to use a [[tripod (photography)|tripod]] specifically because it slows down the picture-taking process.