A: Tonallity, and you can make big prints or scans from them.

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I have a class to take next semester and I have an interesting in broadening my photographic skills...

What should I be looking for

A: ALL that Dr. Sam says is right, listen to him.

Now if you are really looking into buying a view camera, one with swings and tilts so you can have complete control over your focus, then here is the deal.

Get one that is utilitarian. I know there are some sexy handmade "field" cameras made from the finest woods known to man, but that isn't what you want or need.

Some brands that will get the job done. Calumet, Linholf, Cambo, Toyo,...

I'm a self confessed absolute amateur with the 5x4 format, I've recently been out on location using transparency film (Velvia ISO 50) and the results came back today, with absolutely jack shite recorded on the film, in brief terms I've stupidly cocked up :S (we all need to learn somehow I guess) is there anyone who can provide us with a straight up simple step by step guide to setting up a shot and precautions etc.. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance :)

A: I would say that the most important thing that you need to know how light meters work. I would not trust the in camera light meter, my medium format does not even have one. Then there are the mechanics, how the camera works, etc.

Transparency film is the right thing to use in the learning stage. Black and white, and color, has a lot of latitutde in developing and printing, so if you make errors on exposure, but are pretty close, you might be able to save them in the...

Sinar 4x5 Large Format Camera, originally uploaded by sharonsphoto.com.

Here's a pic of the camera I've been using for the last quarter... It's pretty spoiling especially with the leaf back. Now I really want one with a leaf....