- Opposable spring-loaded catches for both lensboards and horizontal/vertical filmback are quick to use and inherently more secure than non spring-loaded systems.
- Large (3.75 X 3.75) front bellows opening facilitates use of lenses with large rear elements.
- Cancelable detents prevent the "drift and lock" problems often associated with non-cancellable, spring-loaded detents.
- Non-coaxial shaft-lock assemblies alleviate the tendency, shared by many other field cameras, to either lock up while trying to achieve focus, or to de-focus while trying to achieve lock.
- Separate rise/fall and axial tilt locks prevent the problem of having one of these adjustments fail while trying to adjust the other, alleviating bothersome "lens drop."
- True-to-film-axis rear tilts facilitate quick, decisive adjustments. This can also be added to the rear base tilt for a greater degree of total adjustment.
- Dark cloth can be quickly clipped onto rear standard top cross-piece, and then easily unclipped, without disturbing adjustments, before exposure is made. This is a very handy feature for high-wind areas.
- The L-45A is precision machined (no castings, which can be brittle) of high strength, lightweight aluminum alloys. This facilitates a truly stable platform at all extensions, even with larger lenses.
- The L-45A's patented design concept facilitates a highly intuitive use by "feel," allowing the user to remain under the dark cloth while operating the various controls and adjustments.
- The Maxwell focussing screen represents the best possible balance of brightness and high contrast for ease of focussing. This screen can be supplied with either a plain or grid-screen cover glass.