So why are movements so useful? LF lenses are usually much longer in focal length than the comparable lenses for 35mm. The LF standard lens is 150mm compared to 50mm. This means that the depth of field is quite shallow at normal aperures. In order not to have to resort to very small apertures and correspondingly long exposure times, the depth of field can be maximised using camera movements. Camera movements not only maximise depth of field but also control perspective. This is problem becomes apparent when trying to photograph tall buildings or landscapes from the a high vantage point.

Without a view camera's many movements, buildings look as if they are toppling over. A view camera allows the user to rotate the plane of focus and the depth-of-field lines until they align themselves closely with the subject plane if it is not parallel with the film plane. This is known as application of the Scheimflung Rules. Where the film plane, lensboard plane and subject plane all meet at a point called the common meeting point all points along the subject will be in focus. This allows wider apertures and shorter shutter speeds to obtain the same depth of focus