The Ulanzi F38 Quick Release Travel Tripod is without a doubt one of the best travel tripods on the market. Whether or not it fits your style and set-up depends on the camera you use, though. The Ulanzi F38 is clearly made to compete with the popular Peak Design Travel Tripod. It weighs only 1.1 kg because it is made of carbon fibre and aluminum in a smart way. It also has some new features that make it better than its main competitor in some ways.
Specifications
- Lightweight Carbon Fiber Camera Tripod with Quick Release
- 1/4″ Screw & Video Head
- For Most Cameras/DSLR/Projector
- Weight 2.38lbs
- Maxload 22lbs
Where to get ULANZI F38 Tripod?
At first, the F38 feels so small and light that it might not be durable enough for long-term use, but after you’ve used it for a while, you’ll see that it’s made with high-quality materials. Most of the parts are made of carbon fibre and aluminum. The legs are made of carbon fibre by themselves. Ulanzi also says that the legs can’t be worn down or scratched.
Even though it can only hold up to 6kg, which is 50% less than the Peak Design Travel Tripod, that’s not the whole story. In reality, that number only applies to its ballhead, which isn’t as well put together as it seems. It’s an impressive ballhead with a lock lever, 360o panorama details, a built-in bubble, and an Arca-Swiss compatible plate that makes it easy to attach a camera. The whole ballhead can also be turned vertically so that a camera can be set up in portrait mode. Even though it is permanently attached to the centre column, the ballhead can be taken off.
The Ulanzi F38 comes with a different Centre column that has a 3/8-16 thread and can be used with any ball head. So, the Ulanzi F38 is more flexible than the Peak Design Travel Tripod, which it is meant to beat. Also, when that other Centre column is used, the Ulanzi F38 can carry up to 18kg more weight.
If the screws on any of the locking parts of the legs come loose, you can tighten them with an Allen key that is hidden in the middle column. So far, it hasn’t been a problem, but I love that they added a tool that you can’t lose! Allen’s keys are always going missing because of me. Thanks to the screw hidden under the ball head, the Allen key can shorten the length of the Centre column. Because it is shorter, the Tripod can be used very close to the ground without the column hitting the ground. Again, this Tripod shows that Ulanzi thought of everything.