Yesterday, after spending a full summer and most of spring quarter only thinking about it, I finally got my first basic instruction on the use of a view camera. Shoreline has a beautiful wooden Wista 45-DX View Camera that’s available for checkout from the photography lab.
It took a while to track my down instructor, Don Metke, and get the run down on this little gem. If you recall, Chris Simons teaches the introductory photography classes at Shoreline. Don’s teaches all of the others, including my current Intermediate Photography class. Don’s only on campus on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and he can be in high demand around the photography department when he is on campus.
From loading my film (in the dark) to collapsing the body of the camera for storage, Don gave me a thorough overview of the Wista 45-DX with his usual good-humored zeal. Having instruction like that makes it pretty hard to not think about the fun I’ll have trying to adapt to all of the new possibilities this camera opens.
A view camera is the most technically challenging camera I’ll use. While the principles of photography remain the same, the steps that go into composing my shots will be a significant departure. The images I’ll see on the ground glass will be upside-down and backwards, which will take some getting used to. Of course, I’ll be using 4×5 negatives, so the detail will be be better than anything I’ve done to date! There’s a lot more to using view cameras, but I’ll leave that until another time, when I have more experience.
Anyway, I’ve very grateful to have the opportunity to learn how to use this camera. I’ve checked it out for the weekend along with a tripod, remote cable and spot meter. I’m planning on hitting the road first thing in the morning for a whole day’s Photo Safari, which will only be the second real photo trip I’ve made this quarter. I’ll try to make some time to post a follow-up on my trial experience. Hopefully, I’ll even end up with a photo I’ll like.

P.S.: After showing me the basics of view camera operation, Don took me down to his office and gave me some exposed sheets of film so I could practice loading cartridges at home. While we were there he showed me a beautiful (beat up) old viewfinder that he keeps in his office. The picture above (which is in square format, by the way) was taken when he was showing it to me, but I don’t remember what kind it is. I’ll have to ask next time I see him.
P.P.S: Yes, I am digging my D-70!