Birthing 35mm Only?

[poloman]

I was checking out the competition today.
On one photogs web site is an ad for birthing photography.
He states that he will shoot birthing but in 35mm only, "no exceptions".
I can't figure out why. Can you?

[egordon99]

Maybe his "look" for birthing photos is high ISO B&W film, and the only way to really get that look is to shoot B&W film. Although perhaps he missed the memo on the high ISO capabilities of today's DSLR bodies ;)

[tkoutdoor]

Maybe his "look" for birthing photos is high ISO B&W film, and the only way to really get that look is to shoot B&W film. Although perhaps he missed the memo on the high ISO capabilities of today's DSLR bodies ;)If by 35mm he means a camera instead of a lens, then it sounds to me like he doesn't own a digital camera that he's comfortable in using through to the print process (because his language is kind of archaic IMO). Today "35mm" would first bring to mind a lens focal length for someone who's evolved to digital. Today I'd expect to hear "shooting film" if someone's referring to the capture medium and they also have a digital body. So... it sounds to me like he's describing his own personal limitation and trying to gloss it over, rather than insisting on his way because it's actually the best way (as he may be trying to imply). Whichever the reason for him insisting on only one way of doing the work it still seems to me to be a limitation. Is it possible that what he really meant is that the only focal length he'll use is 35mm? Neither way really makes sense to me, because I don't see it being sensible to limit your services to only one way of doing things and then to imply that it's because you care about quality or something like that.

[poloman]

Thank you for the responses.
I asked the question because I feared that there was something I had missed in terms of my skills. I shoot digital and can't really figure why someone would shoot film unless the environment imposed limitations.
I have been in a birthing room with a digital camera with no problems though.
He stated 35mm film only. Sorry if I omitted that in my first post. Here is a link to his site.
http://www.darrellmankin.org/gallery.html

[tkoutdoor]

Thank you for the responses.
I asked the question because I feared that there was something I had missed in terms of my skills. I shoot digital and can't really figure why someone would shoot film unless the environment imposed limitations.
I have been in a birthing room with a digital camera with no problems though.
He stated 35mm film only. Sorry if I omitted that in my first post. Here is a link to his site.
http://www.darrellmankin.org/gallery.html

It just sounds to me like someone embedded in the film culture who doesn't want to budge. He wouldn't be the first one I've seen. I don't mind someone having a preference for film, but don't think of yourself as being limited if you don't agree with him. Digital is a competent medium in this day and age.

I see from the link you posted that he shoots both film and digital, yet he only shoots film for births. You could send him an e-mail and ask him about it I guess. If you do, I'd be interesting in hearing what he says. It's a "once in a lifetime" event (no pun intended, but LOL anyway). Maybe he has more confidence in knowing that he has more latitude for exposure in a single frame so the odds of recovering something to it's full potential are better with film? It is B&W so maybe that's his preference for the B&W medium. That's plausible as well. Don't know, just surmising.

[Dennis_Hammer]

I think he was using 35mm as a generic format term for non-photographers. As in I shoot 35mm only no video.

[jbimages]

Maybe he thinks the 8 x10 view camera and tripod is a bit over the top :lol:

[tkoutdoor]

Maybe he thinks the 8 x10 view camera and tripod is a bit over the top :lol:LOL, might have made the women a little too nervous!

[nuffi]

There's a good chance that he's still coming firmly down on the side of film in the film vs digital war. I know that I still lean that way.

But the only real way to tell would be to ask him directly.