A view camera consists of a front standard that holds the lens and a rear standard that holds a focusing glass and will accept film holders. In between these standards is some sort of bellows device, usually made of leather but sometimes plastic. Focusing is accomplished by moving the standards in relation to each other while watching the image on the ground glass camera back. Then the photographer has to place a film holder into the back before making the exposure. Lenses are mounted in shutter, which means that the shutter mechanism is an integral part of the lens rather than part of the camera body, as with 35mm cameras.
Most cameras also allow for independent movement of the front and rear standards.
The biggest advantage to large format work is the size of the image. Seeing a beautifully exposed slide on 4x5 or 8x10 film is almost intoxicating. Detail and sharpness are unbeatable and the large negatives give a quality all their own. The most common formats are 4x5 and 8x10, but there are also 5x7 and 11x14 cameras. Film is sold in sheets and is available in color negative and slide film as well as black and white.