sponsors?

[Josh220]

As already mentioned, it's not a way to get free gear. Very few people are high enough in the photography world to get things from companies like Canon and Nikon. A couple that come to mind are Joe McNally and Moose Peterson. In a way they are sponsored because they get new lenses before they come out (Nikon needs pro's to test them before they hit the shelves) but I also have heard Moose talk about where he purchases his gear. Most of it comes from his own money through Adorama. I am sure they give him a discount, but that is hardly a sponsor.