"wonderful position as professional photogtapher. Welcome to UHH Freelance jim...
btw, it's Photographer (not photogtapher which google may not respond appropriately to)...

While I seldom (actually now rarely) post the Main Forum... Your Subject line of Models caught my eye. As I'm a Fashion & Beauty Genre shooter thus I'm keenly focused on Models, more specifically Agency Represented Models... enough said.

Jim please be aware that Photography isn't typically consider as a Profession (especially in the US for taxation purposes i.e. where "Professionals" fall in regards to if they are exempt or nonexempt employees. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) dictates compensation aspects such as minimum wage and overtime pay.
The reason I'm keenly aware of this in as I'm a "Professional" Licensed Makeup Artist and as such have had to remain on set for extended periods on large commercial gigs without the benefit to overtime.

Basically "Professionals" are Licensed in the Jurisdiction(s) in which they are allowed to practice. As a licensed Makeup Artist I'm allowed to work in Commercial Salons whereas unlicensed "Freelance" MUA'S aren't allowed same. Hope this helps to clarify an oft controversial and debated subject. Why? Because vendors of Photographic "Kit" are notorious for using the term "Professional Photographer" to market "Kit" to their perceived market demographic.

As for your query on actual camera gear? Sorry I'm only focused on finding/retaining paying clientele. Virtually all recent kit can *and is used* on Commercial Gigs (the iPhone comes to mind here). Jim it's all about meeting and or exceeding client expectations when it comes to Commercial Photography. As long as your client is happy little else matters.

In the words of a very talented Commercial Shooter Dean Collins 1953-2005
"Beauty is in the eyes of the Checkbook holder"
Truly believe the renowned Dean Collins got this right...

Wishing you joy and much success on your photographic journey Jim. Cheers! Thomas

Loving the second image... Stellar narrative with both of these enchanting ladies heading out on an autumn journey.
Those sparking catch lights in both their eyes add vibrancy and vitality to this autumn afternoon's aura...
Wonderful use of vanishing point perspective, epic composition so beautifully done...

I'm certain your client was elated to have these lovely "sister" renderings...
Thank you so much for sharing Chip

Interesting reflections... Thanks all for sharing...

btw, I didn't bother reviewing the click bait in as I'm already blasted by the camera vendor's YouTube ads...
If it's a High End product then they are likely selling "LifeStyle" not a camera, with either a scantly clan feminine model or the "Mighty Hunter" Wildlife BIF shot... to play on primal male urges resulting from the influence of Testosterone...

Nope... Camera Companies are true masters of the art of Customer Base Analysis... They are keenly aware of who their products are purchased by, thus their ad campaigns are finely honed to target same...

Food for thought... How many High End Camera Ads focus on Maternity Sessions? Or even New Born Sessions?
Yes they totally ignore the Female gender (That is behind the lens, NOT in front of it) lol

What really matters here is What you Shoot... And Why?
High End Kit advertising campaigns play to hobbyist i.e. enthusiast and certainly not working commercial shooters...

If you are shooting sports/action commercially then yes continual upgrades do in fact come with that genre...
Competition is keen in commercial photography... and the vendors realize this and focus ad campaign on the aforementioned...

However if you are shooting portraiture, catalog fashion or beauty genre then there are virtually few if any compelling reasons to upgrade... My 15 year old Nikon D3x is still paying the bills in my studio and my clients never ever ask me what "Gear" I shoot with... they only ask how soon I can turnaround their deliverables... lol

Wishing all much joy and success on your photographic journey... Cheers! Thomas

My workhorse? The venable Nikon Flagship D3x (Delivers steller image excellence; still highly competitive; preforms flawlessly) and below is my genre of choice...

(Download)

Chip your third capture in this series is absolutely precious!
So poignantly touching, enchanting and endearing...
Fabulous compositional elements and pose dynamic...
Wonderful attention to detail here... loving this talent's epic nail decor...
Beautiful color harmonies latent within...
Stellar catch-lights in those mesmerizing hazel/blue iris...

This image truly belongs in your Beauty Genre portfolio...
Thank you so much for sharing, this image totally made my day!

Wishing you much joy and success on your photographic journey Chip...

I've always used either two S-76 Silver Oxide or two LR44 Alkaline-manganese batteries however I'm thinking about changing over to a single 3V CR 1/3N Lithium power cell. Anyone have experience with the Lithium power cell, or are you still using twin Silver Oxide or Alkaline-Manganese batteries.

Reason for this query is to use the most eco-friendly power source. Current marketing "wisdom"? is claiming that lithium-ion batteries are the most popular eco-friendly option (the logical here is they strike a balance between sustainability and performance). This battery uses lithium ions to move an electrical charge between the battery's positive and negative electrodes.

That said there is no free lunch here... My background in Geology reminds me that lithium-ion, solid-state, and flow batteries require the extraction of raw materials like cobalt, metal salts, and lithium. For Lithium that is almost entirely from The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) which btw is the main source of cobalt globally—in fact, well over 70% of the world's cobalt comes from these mines

The ugly truth here is that the US Department of Labor is now finally informing the public of the horrific working conditions in many of these mines.

"Our research shows that lithium-ion batteries are produced with an input—cobalt—made by child labor."
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/reports/child-labor/list-of-goods/supply-chains/lithium-ion-batteries

But wait, the Nikon F3 battery is so small and lasts for up to one year?
The Paradox is where does one draw a line in the sand...

Albeit I'm still undecided on Lithium batteries at this juncture and will probably simply go with Alkaline-Manganese instead.... Your thoughts?

Enough said...
Happy Thanksgiving and best wishes for much Joy and Family Sharing during this special time of year.

Adorable...
Lovely long tassel auburn tresses

Thank you for sharing...

"Is this the American model?"... "I'm not sure about the us model."

Dug you can find the Nikon Serial Number of this D750 on the base of the camera.
If it is a US Warranty (American) Model it will be within this range: 3000001 < 3003566 - 3224290 > USA

FYI: Here are the entire suite of D750 Serial Numbers w/ Regions assigned to same

Nikon D750 Serial Numbers (with Region of Origin)
D750 Release Date: Sep 2014
2000001 < 2000254 - 2120590 > Japan
3000001 < 3003566 - 3224290 > USA
5000001 < 5000480 - 5014430 > Canada
6000001 < 6009748 - 6220784 > Europe
8000001 < 8005700 - 8026834 > Hong Kong
8500001 < 8503950 - 8518056 > Singapore
8700001 < 8707261 > Australia
8800001 < 8804462 > ?
8900001 < 8904119 - 8905376 > Middle East
9100001 < 9111170 - 9163396 > China

If it was produced to be sold in the US it will have one of the following Serial Numbers
< 3003566 - 3224290 > USA

btw, you can also find the SN and Region of Origin on the Original Packaging Material
If it was in an Original US (American) Packaging it will have 750 (U) just above the Bar Code on the Box
You can also find the Serial Number on a smaller separate sticker w/ Bar Code marked NO. xxxxxxx
If that Sticker is Missing then BEWARE... it can be carefully removed with a hair drier and patience...

Note: If this D750 doesn't have a USA Serial Number then Nikon USA will not service and/or repair it. Since it is an older model independent repair facilities also may not have parts, or will have to strip parts for a another broken one. Certainly not an ideal scenario... Have you considered investing in another NEW memory card to verify if the "Failure to Recognize" is indeed an issue with your large capacity card? Just a thought...

Hope this helps...

Wow! Full Contact for sure...
Were the officials asleep at the wheel?
Guessing if the ball was anywhere close by anything goes.

While I understand the competitive spirit I sadly believe it has now entered a very questionable paradigm...

"College athletes are considered amateurs—but they are the essential components of what has become a multibillion-dollar entertainment enterprise.

As coaches, administrators, and TV executives made more and more money from college football and men’s basketball, various college athletes laid the legal groundwork for why they should be paid for their labor. But none of those lawsuits fundamentally changed the business.

That is, until 2021, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that college athletes could be paid by outside sources for use of their name, image, and likeness—essentially, for endorsements. Justice Brett Kavanaugh was blunt in his concurring opinion.

“The NCAA’s business model would be flatly illegal in almost any other industry in America,” he wrote. The NCAA, the governing body of college sports, had built “a massive money-raising enterprise on the backs of student athletes who are not fairly compensated.”

I'm now so totally done with the NCAA...
Shame on an organization that prioritizes monitory gain over what should be a Love of Athletic Competition for Excellence... And to think how our current culture has evolved to now except this ruthless pursuit of recompense...

Nope, I'm now primarily focused on shooting Ballet where excellence is awarded by gaining a position in a Dance Troupe which performs classical ballet in the European Tradition...

Food for thought... Ballerinas are considered by many to be the finest conditioned athletes in the world... surreal strength and stamina packed into such a lean body mass... With graceful aerial leaps that defy gravity... Note: most ballerinas begin their training at just 3 of age. And many still preform into their late thirties and older.

That said brilliant reportage of the Saturday Night Fights Rick...
Again you are a master of your craft...

Epic array of pivotal moments so beautifully done...
Loving the amazing player's expressions during the heat of battle within this contest.
Some well conditioned hardcore athletes at their very best for sure...

Fabulous color harmonies latent within... Skin tones are spot on each and every capture.
You are a master of your craft Rick... Thank you so much for sharing :)

"... My question is that for which country the gray market was intended to be sold? "
Are you joking BebuLamar... Since you're shooting Nikon It's right on the frigging box!
I'm not going through 5 pages of clueless responses to such a silly question...

The answer is in the camera's serial number!
So you don't have the Box in front of you?
Then you can find your answer here BebuLamar.
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

If you're buying a Nikon Camera then go to mpb who btw posts Camera Serial Numbers unlike KEH
And for Nikon Glass this can (and does seriously matter)! From experience, I purchased a used high end Nikkor which carries a U.S. Serial Number... Nikon USA (New York) serviced it no questions ask and did a fabulous job!

This is site supposedly purports to be a Photographer's Web Site... What a joke!
I went through all five plus pages of responses in this thread and found ZERO images in reply posts!
This site is for Talkers, NOT photographers...

Maybe get off this faux photography site BebuLamar and start looking for clients...
There you may find Life in the Fast Lane as a Commercial Photographer is more than a trivial challenge where one's kit is simply another tool which btw many commercial shooters actually rent for particular assignments **and pass this expense through to their client** As well I know having assisted many commercial shooters in my market.

This site (except for Sport Photography forum) isn't actually frequented by commercial photographers, primarily it's only enthusiast or others who seem to be hell bent on becoming amateur Photographic Kit salespersons...

Which camp to you fall in BebuLamar? And how many High End Clients did you shoot for last week?
Maybe post images not words, k?

I'm so done with UHH... Back to flickr where there are a vast number of stellar photographers posting their epic imagery instead of words... This site reminds me of Junior High School Boys & Girls marveling over Baseball Trading Cards but don't play the sport, except here it's Camera Gear instead by those who don't shoot commercially... albeit they all seem to talk a really good game...

=============================================================
Serial Numbers for the Nikon D300s example posted below...
2000001 < 2001204 - 2037727 > Japan
3000001 < 3001062 - 3073521 > USA
5000001 < 5001037 - 5011392 > Canada
6000001 < 6000343 - 6104218 > Europe
7400001 < 7402970 - 7491963 > UK

A Nikon D300s produced for sale in Japan (and purchased directly from Japan)! Notice SN starts with 20... i.e. Japan Also notice that the Camera is listed as a D300s (j) where (j) is for Japan

"Nikon's Wireless Transmitter Utility" Jerry a decade ago I endeavored to setup Nikon's Camera Control Pro 2 however at the time I was limited to just three meters with an active cable. (I purchased a GigaWare 16' USB 2 Active Extension Cable) The results were simply too slow for practical use. Maybe things have changed however Nikon's Camera Control Pro 2 was flaky... got on Nikon Support and they had me download and install two software "patches" to get it to work correctly.

Pleases remember most USB cables are duplex in design, which means that they communicate both ways, even when conducting a data transfer from one device to another. When a USB cable sends a packet of data, it waits for a conformation response from the other end before sending the next packet. Great for data integrity but terrible for speed...

I'm pretty certain with current hardware it may work well... But why? Most of my clients are just fine with reviewing the back of my camera during the shoot. But hey if you can get it to work at a reasonable speed it sounds like a winner :) At the time I couldn't.

Oh If anyone is interested in a (like new in box) 16' USB 20 Gigaware Active Extension Cable it's yours for the price of shipping... PM me, k?

First and foremost A.T. please allow me to commend you on your career as a Houston Firefighter.
To step into the breach of raging infernos to save other desperate souls in harms way is a noble calling indeed!
And this btw one of the compelling reason I offered actual feedback from wedding shooters on that bloated Sigma, it's a not an ideal tool for a working commercial photographer who is on an event for over 8 hours.

Best to save your money... and go with a cost effective tool widely used by event & street shooters in Europe...
Where they aren't as readily influenced by marketing hype...

Yes, I totally understand UHH is a cheering section for those who think like minded...
Albeit precious few (except those in the Sports Photography forum) shoot commercially... enough said.

The Yongnuo is over 200 grams lighter and 4x more cost effective...
Those who appreciate what it brings to the table are keenly aware of it's stellar attributes...
My initial post on this thread was also directed to those aboard UHH without deep pockets who want a Fast 50mm f/1.4 prime and are focused (pun intended) on a Cost/Value ratio in which the Sigma 50mm 1.4 loses big time!

"...I have enough professional Nikkor lenses..."
And just how many Published tear sheets do you have from those Professional Nikkors A.T.

After carefully reviewing your UHH Post A.T. it became obvious that you are a "Talker" and don't post your work, at least not recently here on UHH... Thus my inference still stands... A.T. a very wise commercial shooter a.k.a. the late and great Dean Collins said. "Beauty is in the eyes of the Checkbook holder"

I believe Dean got this right... Those at the Zenith of our Craft are those who are commercially viable. A.T. the worth of a Photographer's Kit is really of little relevance, the only thing that matters are how many Paying Clients they have, especially High End Clients... A quick glance at the list of Nikon Ambassadors will tell you virtually all shoot for big name clients/brands and are Published...

However I can indeed help with one of your more recent posts Nikkor 28-300mm 3.5-5.6
A.T. having shot this intriguing Nikkor on commercial assignments for over four years let me assure you that this Nikkor has paid for itself many times over as a "Swiss Army Knife" tool to be carried into scenarios which could not be scouted first to determine the most appropriate lens for the venue & job.

Sadly I just recently sold it to another UHH member who is elated to have same. Why? I no longer can accept location assignments owing to disabling medical challenges due to a failed surgery on my cervical spine. Currently limited to Studio Only (and btw loving life in my studio)... When one door closes look carefully for another that just opened... Wisdom to live by...

To this end I'm posting several flickr images taken with the epic AF 50mm f/1.4NE YN Yongnuo for others on UHH to appreciate it's merits...

Also posting one of my commercial assignments with my beloved AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR and my colleague Samantha Miller currently with T.H.E. Agency located in Washington DC
https://www.theartistagency.com/talent/samantha-miller?gender=&portfolio=New%20Faces%20Women
btw, Sam is also our Studio's MUA... and you can book her as a model through her agency...

Note: If you are concerned about distortion at it's short end, then shoot primes... Period!
A.T. It's a Swiss Army Knife that GETS THE JOB DONE under budget every time! Hope this helps or is at least food for thought.

Again I'm humbled by your career calling as a Houston Firefighter
Wishing you much wonderful success on your latest career journey in the Photographic Arts!

Final thoughts: Photographic excellence is not a consumer commodity, it can't be purchased. It only comes to those who are dedicated enough to endure the rigorous challenges latent within the quest to become commercially viable in a highly competitive marketplace...

Cheers! Thomas

flickr Fine Art taken with the AF 50mm f/1.4NE YN Yongnuo

(Download)

flickr Street Photography in Finland taken with the AF 50mm 1/1.4Y Yongnuo

(Download)

Agency represented (T.H.E. Agency) Samantha Miller taken with the Swiss Army Knife AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Nikkor on a Nikon D3

(Download)

"...currently have the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 but wanted a bit faster 50mm..." Why A.T.? To shoot in low ambient without flash? For aesthetics i.e. DOF isolation? or more likely to impress your peers?

The Sigma is literally a pig at 815 grams... Why would you want to drag that around for any reason other than showing off it's massively oversized presence on set. Shooting a Wedding Event with a 50mm prime that weighs more the a Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/4 IF ED VR III makes no sense... btw that AF-S 70-200mm f/4 Nikkor is a fav with Event Shooters... That Sigma for shooting 8-10 hour events? Surely you jest...

However let me share a little know epic piece of glass which you can use a small piece of black electrical tape to cover it's "brand Identity Mark" that being the AF 50mm f/1.4NE YN Yongnuo (at 618 grams) for Nikon (Yes it is an "E" lens (continuous variable aperture)) and you can use the Canon ES-71 II Hood (labeled "Made in Japan") perfectly on it... Takes 58mm filters and has a MFD of 1.5 feet (The Sigma focuses 2" closer (1.3 feet)) btw you'll want to get it from B&H since there are sample variations... The first one I purchase died in one day... B&H replaced it (no questions asked) and that copy is still going strong... At the time I paid $169 for it...

How did I discover this Yongnuo? I colleague of mine (Wedding Event Shooter) turned me on to it... Said buy it quickly before it sells out... You'll notice on B&H it's on constant "Back Order" lol

That Yongnuo makes my AF 50mm f/1.4D Nikkor look bad (Until you stop it down to below f/2.2) then it rocks!
That Sigma takes 77mm filters! What a hog... I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole for Event Assignments...
And who needs a fast lens in a studio?

Nope the Yongnuo is so totally epic for it's ridiculously cost effective price...
Oh, don't even think about the Yongnuo 85mm variant...
Same components crammed into the same lens body as their 50mm f/1.4... Sadly it's a dog also.

Ok what are the down sides of the Yongnuo? It's certainly not a Silent Wave Focus lens... i.e. It's noisy (but quick)

But hey no worries you'll likely never find a new AF 50mm f/1.4NE YN Yongnuo since they're on back order forever... That said, black electrical tape covers up Yongnuo Logo nicely... and with the Canon Lens Hood folks will wonder how you got a Canon Lens to work on your Nikon :) Cheers! Thomas

Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.4N E Lens for Nikon F

(Download)

twosummers Lincolnshire England but a three hour drive to London England, there you will find World Class Runway i.e. Catwalk events... To this end I'm posting an AI generated Catwalk Image from flickr which has had it's finger on the pulse of AI for quite some time now... as always UHH is a bit late to the dance... lol

But no worries folks... most Commercial Photographers have little to worry about (except for new large commercial real estate ventures which I made a health living working as a Photo Assistant in Washington DC). My gigs came from my listing in the ASMP web portal to provide same. Now those gigs are often generated from the CAD files used to actually design those structures. Thus that market has been impacted, currently I get a ton of mailed brochures trying to sell me condos using AI generated Imagery.

That said, Wedding Photographers (where the high value assignment are) have virtually nothing to be concerned with here since it is primarily the MOB that signs the check... And their are a tough cookie to please (tradition reigns supreme).

However Fashion Designers are now beginning to eye the merits of AI...
To this end below please find a high resolution Catwalk image with the flickr Tags of

AI
AIArt
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence Art
CGI
Computer Generated Images
text prompted
text prompted images
Midjourney
MidjourneyAI

As a Bridal Makeup Artist I'm impressed... Even using Airbrush Medium I would be hard pressed to match in kind.
Please Enjoy....

btw, this is not considered a "mature image" on flickr in as critical body parts are adequately covered...

twosummers what you'll find on London's Catwalks is far move revealing... Have colleagues who shoot there...

(Download)

Epic collection of stellar pivotal moments...
Impressive Auto ISO & WB... or very amazingly bright stadium illumination... lol
Jules you keep raising the bar... Love following your inspirational journey...

Again thank you for sharing your artistry Jules.
Such a delightful mix of intriguing renderings (both on and off field).
You deliver the very essence of this full contact sport with all it's myriad of complexities...

Stay warm and enjoy your next event at Allegiant Stadium.