Tripod Umbrella - Any Tips?

[Tristin]

As I mentioned in another thread, I will be in Poland all November and looking to do a lot of shooting.  As it is a drizzly month there, I am expecting to be shooting during plenty of light rain and want to get together some sort of umbrella setup for my tripod.  Anyone have experience setting up an umbrella rig for one's tripod?  I am all ears, thanks!

[Akira]

I have no experience with the umbrella fixed on the tripod, but I would discard the idea.  The umbrella should only work as a camera blur generator even in the slight breeze.  I would look at the camera raincoat by various brands to choose from.

[Birna Rørslett]

Agree with Akira: don't put an umbrella on the same tripod as the camera. Alternatives are using another tripod for the umbrella and fixing it with a Manfrotto clamp or similar, having an assistant hold the umbrella (the best option), put "rainwear" on your camera/lens, or stay indoors during the downpour.

[pluton]

Worse even than causing vibration and shaking, an umbrella attached to a tripod can catch the wind, taking the rig over onto the ground. Best would be the assistant w/umbrella plus protective clothing for the camera.

[MILLIREHM]

Agreed to what is said here, Isarfoto offered big "PROTEC" umbrellas that werent very useful. Burzynsky had a very small umbrella that minimized this tendency (at the price of reduced rain protection) but cant completely eliminate it in ptinciple.

[Tristin]

Noted.  Looks like my wife will come in handy. 

[Anthony]

This was the solution used on the first Nikongear visit to the Lofoten Islands.

The object was to tempt a bird to take the bread, and photograph it using a remote control.

Unfortunately there was too much rain even for the local birds.

[Bear Dale]

Tristan is a second tripod to much trouble for you to lug around on your trip? That way you could attach the umbrella to that and cut down on vibrations and the fear of your camera hitting the ground?