Umbrella, Stand, Adapter

On my lighting adventure I have decided to purchase an umbrella and stand.

I am a bit unsure as to what exactly I'll need. I understand what type of umbrella I'd want, thats the type that you can shoot through or reflect, with the removable black.

What I'm not sure on is the stand, or what combo to get. As I'm using the V4's I need a stand that can hold the umbrella but has a screw for the flash and not the hot shoe adapter.

Is this making sense? If anyone could point me in the right direction, or to a kit, that'd be great! Thank you.

Stands typically come with a reversible spigot that has a 1/4" and 3/8" threaded bush on either end (the same diameter as a tripod). I dont know 'V4' refers to. If you can let me know I'm sure I can advise you on what to do.

EDIT: Just figured out that you are referring to the Cactus V4 remote trigger. I think this part from Calumet shoud do the trick:
link

This screws onto one of the aforementioned bushes, the brolly goes through the hole in the middle and is held by gently tightening the locking screw and the spigot at the top will screw into the V4 with flashgun atop. The whole thing is adjustable for angle.

Hi James,

I've got the V2's and use a Manfrotto Nano, cos of its compact size and use this with a Manfrotto Umbrella Adapter. It uses a brass threaded spigot so the V2 sits on top ok.

To be honest not used it much... need to get the finger out.

Got mine from Teamwork, Photo & Digital, great to deal with and good prices.

umbrella adapter
nano stand

Hope this helps

ali

I type toooo slow, you beat me to it Ken.

ali

Thanks guys. What Umbrella do you have with that set up alig? That was the stand I was looking at already, so glad to see I was looking at the right thing!

This further convinces me that Calumet stands, tripods etc are re-badged Manfrotto items only cheaper.

The Calumet and Manfrotto umbrella adapters look nearly identical except for the brass insert in each end.

Hi James,

I've got a 43" Westcott collapsable white shoot thru/reflecting brolley thingy!
Prob a bit expensive but a colleague 'convinced' me to buy one as he was... and to save postage etc...

Ken, I popped into to Calumet Edinburgh to originally get the Calumet branded stuff but was told that you have to pay extra for the spigots, although reading the web-site it looks as though it comes with it! So it worked out cheaper thru Teamwork... by the way I don't work for Teamwork...

Again hope this helps.

ali

Will that adapter generally fit any umbrella then? Or is there a limit to the size of it's pole (:s)

I think all brollies have the same diameter shaft.

I think if I'd got as far as their counter I wouldn't have worried about £2.93 for an adaptor!

All very helpful, thanks. Where's a good place to get umbrellas from in the UK? (online preferably)

I've never bought one but you could try Calumet - they seem to have a good range.

Would one like this be too small? Or about right..

link

Ken they didn't have all I wanted in stock and needed to order it so I saved myself a few pounds into the bargin by going elsewhere.
Looking after the pennies.

James, again Teamwork and Calumet do a good range of brollies.

Just saw your new post, think it depends what your doing with it.
The bigger the brolly the softer/bigger/more diffused the light.
(someone can correct me if I'm wrong)
For a few £££ more you can go bigger.

ali