For those of you who don't have one and have been looking, I found them at Sportsman's Warehouse. We have one here in Lexington; there's one in Rogers or Bentonville (not sure which), Memphis, Wichita, and many other places. Unfortunately, they do not have online shopping. But it may be a good lead for some of you.
http://www.smwh.net/store_locator.cfm
Here's the address that lists their store locations.
I bought a couple a few years ago at Wal-Mart, but I haven't been able to find any there since. Of the two that I bought, the plastic clamp on one broke, and I've misplaced the other.
Recently I bought one online from something called BIC Superstore, which is one of the thousands of vendors with storefronts on Amazon.com.
The clamp on this one seems sturdier than the ones from Wal-Mart, and it opens wider as well. It has a one-piece construction; so it's no good for those who like to mount the base permanently on a tripod. Unfortunately, it comes in three colors, none of which is black, and you can't choose which color you get. This is fine if you're using it to keep the water off, but if you want it to double as a portable shade for macro subjects, it will produce a color cast.
I did some googling and found this source. The colors would not be good for diffusing sunlight but if you just need rain protection, these might work. The clamp attaches both horizontally and vertically. I think I'll order one...
Hey Don, you will look quite stylish out in the woods under one of these beauties! FYI, the ones from Sportsmans Warehouse have a silver lining and so don't give off a color cast when you use them for shading/shadow work...
Actually, you could just stick a gray card in there and pop the white balance tool on it in ACR and that should take care of any color cast. You guys don't have Sportsman's Warehouse in the Big MO? I've never set foot in one but I do see them around. The original chairbrella was Wal Mart's house brand - Ozark Trail. One of my students works for Wal Mart and has not been able to find them anywhere, even a truck load of them - he has the sku # and continues to hunt. Same company makes the other brand from the looks of them - I wonder if Sportsmans Warehouse is actually a Wal Mart company?
Thanks for the gray card tip, I always wondered what in the tarnation those things were good for.
With a 48-inch umbrella spread compared to the Wal-Mart 40-inch spread, that will give me more room underneath. Hmmm, maybe I should also carry a lounge chair...
I also like the Beach Umbrella clamp. It looks like it will easily fit onto a tripod leg, a feature the ChairBrella couldn't do. I didn't like carrying around a klunky, heavy Bogen clamp.
It is supposed to arrive this Wed. but I will be out in the 80% chance of rain, photographing some waterfalls in good ol' Mizzou!
Doesn't your buddy Artie sell those expensive bogen clamps for $80? Man, what a ripoff! I couldn't imagine hauling one of those and a normal umbrella round in the woods all day...That chair does sound like a good idea though - got to have your priorities...
While they were available I bought four ChairBrellas at my local WallyWorld. I took a ball-peen hammer to one of the clamps and found it was quite effective at removing all of the plastic. I then secured the remaining flexible holder to my tripod using plastic cable ties.
I am wondering if the unbrella could be painted black with fabric spray paint from hobby lobby? I hate bright colours when photographing. Just a thought.since I am considering purchasing the one from Amazon.
Jackie, I can't say for sure, but my concern would be that umbrellas are designed NOT to absorb moisture. I would think that would cause a problem with the umbrella trying to "receive" the fabric spray paint.
Discussion
13 replieshttp://www.smwh.net/store_locator.cfm
Here's the address that lists their store locations.
Recently I bought one online from something called BIC Superstore, which is one of the thousands of vendors with storefronts on Amazon.com.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HJDHE0
The clamp on this one seems sturdier than the ones from Wal-Mart, and it opens wider as well. It has a one-piece construction; so it's no good for those who like to mount the base permanently on a tripod. Unfortunately, it comes in three colors, none of which is black, and you can't choose which color you get. This is fine if you're using it to keep the water off, but if you want it to double as a portable shade for macro subjects, it will produce a color cast.
http://www.beachchairs.com/beach-umbrellas-&-cabanas/chair-umbrellas/2043+2048+4294705556.cfm
Update: I just noticed that they have free shipping and a two-day delivery so I ordered two of the blue ones.
Best,
Don
I'll just have my handy dandy 41-inch ProMaster SystemPro ReflectaDisc 5 in 1 ready to go.
With a 48-inch umbrella spread compared to the Wal-Mart 40-inch spread, that will give me more room underneath. Hmmm, maybe I should also carry a lounge chair...
I also like the Beach Umbrella clamp. It looks like it will easily fit onto a tripod leg, a feature the ChairBrella couldn't do. I didn't like carrying around a klunky, heavy Bogen clamp.
It is supposed to arrive this Wed. but I will be out in the 80% chance of rain, photographing some waterfalls in good ol' Mizzou!
Best,
Don