First let me say that this is not a Model Agency, we are a production company shooting around 20-25 models each and every month, we do not give out, e-mail addresses, phone #s or any other information about the models we use. If you need models let me suggest you try the local press, forums, or Model Agency's of which there are many in your local Yellow pages. An agency typically charges about $75-100 for referring a model to you and will also charge the model between 10-15% of the fee they receive from you. In California all agency's have to be licensed to trade in this way and will have a license # which you can ask for

We use Nikon D1 and D1x cameras extensively for web site work as they are both fast and compatible with studio flash, but they have one big problem that needs addressing by NIKON soon!!!!, DUST. When removing your lens be extra careful about any dust on the back of the lens . The suggested method of blowing off dust using a "dust off "dose not work and only moves the dust around, possibly forcing it under the filter covering the CCD. Try a small vacuum held at 45 degrees to the lens ring, under no circumstances place the vacuum nozzle inside the camera body or try to seal the vacuum onto the body with your hands , it will void your warrantee, if you damage it in this way ( Try this at your own risk, but it has to be better than a Dust Off???). Until Nikon solves this problem I suggest you find a zoom lens that you are happy with and don't take it off. Its a shame this fault has not been given more attention by Nikon.

Yet another serious problem, when using the IBM 1 gig and 340 meg Microdrives they are now producing wild color shifts and burnt out highlights. When changing back to the std card the problem goes away????
Anyone with these faults should make it known to the marketing department at the address below

Head of Marketing
Nikon USA
1300 Walt Whitman Road
Melville
NY 11747

MORE WARNINGS
Photogenic's Flash Heads

Until recently we have exclusively used Photogenic's Mono lights specifically the top of the range 2500,Over a period of some 3 years we had two heads blow with a spectacular bang and more recently, within the last few months a third head exploded shooting a 20-30 flame out towards the reflector, while we, the model and i where in no apparent danger it was a frightening experience to say the least.

On returning the third head i was asked to pay $160.00 as this head was out of it 3 year warranty. 6 weeks later it was returned ( i asked for a rush service ?) and it still wasn't right after 10-20 flashes it kept cutting in and out producing blank exposures and seemed to be some sort of overheating problem, it was sent back and some 2 weeks later returned . This time it worked well. The strange thing is a further 7 heads are also exhibiting similar cut out problems, so i sent yet another head back and again some 6 weeks later got a call saying the cost of repair would be $390+taxes. I called them back saying i feel that as all 7 heads where exhibiting the same failure surly it was a failure of a component or a design flaw.

I was told that someone would call me back and waited a further 7 days until the new owner of Photogenic's called me. His attitude was that i had misused the equipment placing a load on the heads exceeding the specifications in the hand book. When i explained i use the heads for Glamour and Fashion work he said that i was being too hard on the heads and they where not meant to be used like this ? Well if that was the case it should be made plain in the hand book that their heads are not to be used for Glamour or Fashion work. On reading the supplied handbook i read the area covering rating of the flash and cycle times and my use was well under all the laid out conditions.

It must be stated that i use the heads set to a maximum of 60% on the main light and fill in of some 30% less, with a hair light of 15% of full power, if background lights are used its normally 4 heads evenly spaced at 10-25% depending on color. I shoot 150-200 frames an hour with 10-20 min's rest ( heads are turned off ) between sets while the model or models change. The hand book states that the allowed recycle time at full power is 15 seconds. The average recycle time for 200 images an hour is 18 seconds at only 60% of full power maximum, so you see my usage is well under the recommended for these heads and they all have the same expensive problems. Well i called back and got no satisfaction so 3 weeks ago ( 27th Dec 2003) i requested they return my damaged head un repaired, so far it has not been returned. On the 28th of Dec 2003 i went out and purchased X2 sets of Pro Photo Accute 2400R which have been highly recommended to me by fellow professionals both in the USA and Europe and early test show an amazing recycle time a lot more power and the flash quality makes the picture both sharper and a much, more accurate color than with the old Photogenic heads.
After my experience with the new owner of Photogenic i will never recommend their products but instead promote the use of the Pro Photo kit, believe me its worth paying slightly more, Oh and the Accute 2 is dual voltage so it can be used in South America on 240 volts or the UK and other 240 volt country's.

UPDATE 01/12/03

The latest Nikon D1x cameras appear to have a much better algorithm to manage color than the old D1's. But the dust problem is still there, in fact our latest model purchased only last week was full of dust when we opened the sealed box and tested the new body. But this time the dust off worked blowing all the dust off the CCD after only 3 attempts. We still keep just a zoom lens on each body, only changing it if absolutely necessary and it seems that there is less of a static charge building up on the CCD with this latest version.

LEAF DIGITAL BACKS

Our Hasselblad has just been fitted with a Leaf digital back and the results are stunning, the software provided with this $27,000 back is outstanding and produces files that we have blow up to 8'-0 x 3'-0 with no artifacts or jagged edges. I recommend this back to anyone serious about there digital work.