Umbrella Recommendation - Strange Request?

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I'm after a new umbrella, bit of a strange one, but basically I want something with a short centre shaft. I have a westcott collapsible but the shaft doesn't retract far enough and gets in my shots quite often. Maybe theres an alternative? Or should i get a cheap one and cut down the centre shaft?

A do a lot of shots for a client who converts VW Transporters so space is limited.

If you want to see some examples of the stuff, have a look here https://www.flickr.com/photos/124787127@N02/with/15824550852/
 
I've seen one with a two-part shaft where you can unscrew the front section once you have the brolly up. The problem with cutting down the shaft permanently is that you need the full length when it's closed. A quick search suggests Photek do some with the two-part shaft.
 
Calumet's umbrellas at 40" size and greater (but check beforehand) have a two part threaded shaft.
 
As Alastair says, if you cut the shaft to your required length with the brolly open, when you close it the ribs and the circular holdy thing will become detached.
This may not be a problem as it shouldn't be to much of a problem to refit each time.
Also the clamping area of the uncut shaft may be reinforced to withstand the clamping pressure. if you cut this away and clamp further up the shaft you will fave to take care not to apply too much pressure and crush it.




This post has been certified innuendo free. :)
 
Check out the Photek Softlighter II. I've been toying with buying a couple for a long while for location work. The rod shortens, unscrews, after you're set up. No poking anyone in the eye! I've seen example shots with this modifier and they look awesome.

It comes in three sizes, 36", 46" and 60". (I personally wouldn't use bigger than the 36" with a Speedlite and feel the bigger models are best used with strobes.)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311117409360

If you have Elinchrom strobes, the deflector option is awesome. It mounts centrally and can turn an umbrella style octabox into a beauty dish. So you have a portable modifier that works as a softbox and as a beauty dish. To the best of my knowledge, Elinchrom are the only strobe to have a proper central mount for an umbrella.
 
Nah, some Profoto have a central mount too.

Btw, the softlighter is a decent modifier, but the Elinchrom fitting 7mm rod version of the SL is not splittable and is one solid rod.

The calumet umbrellas I alluded to earlier do have a splittable rod. The flash end of the umbrella rod is 7mm (so fits Eli heads perfectly), but the umbrella end after the join is 8mm, so it wont enter and Eli further than the join.
 
I used to get mine from deal extreme and put a pencil in the shaft as the tend to be a bit weak. Cheap enough to buy a few and experiment with cutting them down to size.
 
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