This “hands free umbrella” is either most genius idea ever for shooting in the rain or the dumbest
Apr 14, 2017
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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Shooting in the rain is a big concern for many photographers. Especially if you live in a country with somewhat unpredictable weather. I’ve shot in the rain plenty of times over the years, but I’m usually using weather sealed equipment that can handle it. In more extreme weather, I’ve even tried some of the DSLR raincoats. Sometimes, though, the raincoat isn’t practical, and I don’t really want to push the limits of that weather sealing.
Now, though, we have another option. The “Nubrella”, a hands-free… well, it says it’s an umbrella, but it’s more a backpack style mobile canopy. It’s a very unusual design, and it likely holds up well to the rigours of rain. But at what cost? How much is your dignity worth to you? Here, let Nubrella founder & CEO, Alan Kaufman, show you how it works.
It wasn’t designed specifically with photographers in mind. More just a general umbrella replacement that allowed you to keep your hands free. For walking the dog, talking on your phone, mowing the lawn (what?!) or whatever it is you happen to want to do in the rain instead of holding an umbrella.
It goes on like a backpack, and they actually have a backpack attachment for it. The canopy lays folded across your shoulders when not in use. Then, when the rain hits, press a button and up it comes to cover your head.
On a somewhat serious note, though, it seems to do the job very well. It looks a lot less hassle than dealing with those raincoats I mentioned earlier, too. If your gear isn’t weather sealed, this could be just the solution you need to get those shots in not-so-perfect weather.
Although it does look much better than an umbrella hat, I still don’t think I’d want to be seen wearing it in public.
If you want one, though, they’re currently $59.99 on the Nubrella website. The matching backpack is $39.99 or you can get both in a single package for $79.99.
[via Shutterbug]
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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32 responses to “This “hands free umbrella” is either most genius idea ever for shooting in the rain or the dumbest”
I think this is pretty aweosme
Definitely YES
never, buy pentax instead
Not in Chicago, might be blown straight up to Canada.
I live in Florida, so it would depend on the rain, on a light rain day sure, but on a you’d better build an ark day, nope!
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Interesting concept.
Windy situations could be a problem.
That backpack option with the mounting system shown would be a pick pocket’s wet dream :-)
Haha imagine if all photographers in a photopit at a festival wore this in the pouring rain xD
No i rather just have a rain cover on the camera and keep all the movement i can.
It reminds me of the covers on baby strollers. I guess if you want to keep the rain off your equipment, there are worse ways to do it than this…
It reminded me of the same thing. It may look silly, but I’d totally wear this. :D
Dumbest, right of the bat…
Rain cover or bag over the camera weighs nothing, easy to pack and takes seconds to put on. Easy to move around. Looks cumbersome to put on. Photo of photographers shows the camera clearly sticking out from the protective zone. I know I wouldn’t use it.
That’s just a question of changing it a bit with a little 10 min conversion it would be perfect. The problem is that it’s multi use but converted for the photographer it would be fantastic . I’ve invented something else but this is far better. You’re only protecting the camera with a bag. A wet face dripping down the viewfinder isn’t the best way of taking great shots. Keeping face and hair dry would be a fantastic advantage , keep the bag for the camera. :).
Yeah, great. Please supply a link where we can have a look on this and how you did it. Quite interested
Nope, my 1D can handle rain.
This is great , having spent many hours in hard rain, hail, and snow over the years, I’d love one. It would be great for one of my tutorials. I don’t care what I look like it’s the results that count. The photographers that worry about their appearance arn’t real photographers.
This is pretty much for photographers that don’t wanna mess their hair in rain. A well-made hat, pullover rain poncho with a hoody and rain cover for the camera is much less expensive, cumbersome and will fit in a carry-on.
watch out for flying photographers in strong wind :D
No. I’ll wear my wide-brimmed Canadian hat. The camera and lens are protected by an Op/Tech Rainsleeve that I bought at Glazer’s Camera in Seattle.
Haha probably not, but if it was a gift, maybe.
Haha probably not, but if it was a gift, maybe.
Goof
Interesting concept…..?
Could of done with one yesterday
Genius idea where can you buy it?
The pics they use, show the camera lens outside of the cover, it will keep your head dry but thats it, a coat and UV filter and your good to go.
Dumb idea.
More often than not, people needlessly panic about gear.
If you gear is going to die from a little rain…That would be a good time to look at some better gear.
I vote for the latter…
they should make and Alien vs predator version, 100% would wear
I’m waiting for the drone version…
wind
Looks a bit like a Krogan suit from Mass Effect.