Elinchrom's 7mm umbrella issue

This is making me nuts, you guys. I have two 7-foot parabolic umbrellas and both are standard 8mm size so I can only use them on my Einstein light. I haven't found a brand that makes bigger umbrellas with Elinchrom's 7mm shaft size, everything is the standard 8mm. Does anyone have any suggestions? I can find smaller umbrellas with a 7mm shaft but I need the bigger ones.

I've tried the trick of putting it in that hole just below the handle to crank down the angle of the head (see below). But it's just a flimsy little plastic thing that is open at the bottom, and the umbrella weighs too much - so it just falls out of there no matter how hard I crank on that handle. It works fine with a smaller / lighter umbrella but that defeats the purpose.

I have a 60-inch Photek Softlighter that has a 7mm shaft - but I can't find a bigger umbrella that will work. *edited to add: I know Elinchrom makes some nice umbrellas but the biggest one they have is 49".

Any ideas would be really welcome!

Unfortunately, Elinchrom and Profoto use the 7mm umbrella size. I do believe that Photek makes a few 7mm models.

Put the umbrella up on a light stand by itself. Mount the strobe to the light stand (or another) independent of the umbrella mount.

My Lower Eli mounts are metal. R u sure yours are plastic? Mine has held a 7 foot umbrella. Perhaps wrap some tape on the umbrella shaft at the mount point..?

Thanks. Yeah unfortunately I am 110% certain that it's plastic. Gaff tape might be a short term solution. I've also thought about just putting it on a separate stand with an umbrella holder but then that's kind of annoying (with the second stand).

Thanks!

Yep my 60" softlighter is 7mm. But I don't think Photek makes anything bigger than that, sadly. *edited to add: I forgot that Profoto also uses the pesky 7mm size. However, their big umbrellas are hideously expensive! Haha.

I was hoping to not have to go the 2-stand route but if that's my only option I'll do it.

Thanks!

I’d try a Matthews knuckle to hold the umbrella in place as close to the mount as possible.

tcphoto1 wrote in post #18729705
I’d try a Matthews knuckle to hold the umbrella in place as close to the mount as possible.

My thinking, too. Only one light stand is required if one has bog-standard grip gear lying around. The 7-8mm shaft BS is entirely avoided, and the head gains full positional freedom.

I feel like a doofus for not thinking of this Why it didn't occur to me I have no idea. Yeah, I've got a few of those lying around. lol

Try mounting flash head to stand with a Super Clamp with added post and umbrella on top of stand with a knuckle.

This is my exact setup when using 7' umbrellas with my Bowens strobes and their ridiculous umbrella mount reflector.

Angmo wrote in post #18729524
Put the umbrella up on a light stand by itself. Mount the strobe to the light stand (or another) independent of the umbrella mount.

My Lower Eli mounts are metal. R u sure yours are plastic? Mine has held a 7 foot umbrella. Perhaps wrap some tape on the umbrella shaft at the mount point..?

D-lite's, BXRI, BRX, ELC Pro HD's = plastic.
Classic, Style = metal (which people love to bend out of shape).

It's just a metal plate though, I've not tried but they're probably interchangeable with the newer style plastic ones.

Profoto Acute heads are metal-bodied and have an integral umbrella holder that goes through the length of the interior. I nonetheless prefer external support for any modifier beyond a 33" umbrella. It's not fair to expect the light mount to compete with a cast-aluminum knuckle.

How’s it going. Have a solution that works for you?

Hey there thanks for asking! No, I haven't had any shoots since I posted this - catching up on processing plus getting ready to go to NYC next week for a bunch of agency model tests AND a workshop AND PPE. But I will definitely come back and report when I give these solutions a try!