Monopod to Umbrella clamp

[Paul]

Hi Folks,
I need to test all your wisdom and idea's again.
Last Sunday I was taking pictures at a U12 state football final with my D70 + 70-200VR on the monopod, and yes it was pissing with rain from start to finish.
As I don't have a proper water cover to protect my gear (Plus I can't afford the good one's posted already on this forum ) My only solution was to jerry rig my golf umbrella to the monopod using the strap on the pod to fasten it to the brolly.
This actually worked brillantly for a temp solution, however it was a bit constraining due to the fact I couldn't rotate the body 90 degree's to take portrait shots due to the brolly shaft being in front of the battery grip.
So the question is has anyone seen a clamp that will secure both items together but at the same time keep them both offset to allow camera rotation?
I might even make one out of wood to test it out my theory.

[Glen]

Paul, that is a great idea. Probably more likely to find one in the old country rather than here, maybe troll a few other sites or google. Or make a bomb selling your wooden one

[kipper]

I'm sure there is something you could rig up using the top side of a double dove tail plate to provide an offsetted clamp for the umbrella.

[gstark]

Paul,

Manfrotto have a few different clamps, and I bvelieve that you should be able to get something for this, but also there's Optech (the people who make our straps) who make some weatherproof hoods for the cameras.

We were supposed to be getting a couple in at the start of the year, but I've not seen them ... Birddy ????

[kipper]

Speaking of weather proof gear or protective gear......I could do with something for my lens

[Paul]

Thanks all for the idea's and comments!
Gary, I'll check out manfrotto's website and see if they have anything that suits this application.
I still might try my wood clamp, plenty of wood at the joinery shop so I can experiment to my hearts content!
If anything works I'll post the results.
Cheers guys!

[birddog114]

Speaking of weather proof gear or protective gear......I could do with something for my lens

kipper,
I have the rain cover for the 500mm, which you never asked

[Mal]

Paul,
One of the camera guys I work with uses an umbrella that he got from a golf shop. It has a golf ball style end to the umbrella (ball and socket style) this allows him to position the umbrella onto the tripod and position the umbrella where he wants.
Just need to make sure that you never ever ever let the camera go! Having the wind pick up a Sony Digital Beta Cam and then drop it on the ground is not a nice picture !!!!