Ulanzi JJ06 GlideGo Video Tripod Review – Compact, Robust, and Innovative

Two new compact Ulanzi tripods have been launched to the market, the JJ05 and JJ06. On this evaluate, my focus is on the JJ06 as, by definition, it’s extra appropriate for video work. I took this “handsome tripod” for a spin as I wished to search out out if it lived as much as my expectations. In any case, in right this moment’s crowded tripod market, plainly you actually have to face out to seize the eye of potential prospects. Let’s take a better look.With regards to digital camera equipment, Ulanzi is not any stranger. Actually, the corporate’s merchandise appear to be very talked-about amongst picture and video creators. Tripods, luggage, motion cam equipment, lights, teleprompters, and rather more. You identify it, and there’s an incredible chance that Ulanzi or their sister firm Falcam is making it.Ulanzi JJ06 GlideGo Video Tripod. Credit score: CineDUlanzi JJ06, on paperLooking on the firm’s product webpage reveals a really succesful product. Its dimension is inviting for touring (1.76kg and 51.5cm max top when collapsed), and general specs are satisfying. With a most top of 187cm, 18kg tripod load capability, and 5kg ball head load capability, this new product appeared to enrich my documentary work with mirrorless cameras fairly properly. Then, I took it out to the sphere, as there’s nothing higher than stress-testing a product and seeing “who works for whom”: the product for you, otherwise you for the product.“Fast-flip design”. The four-section locks of the tripod legs are very straightforward to open and shut. Credit score: CineDUlanzi JJ06 tripod – the great Fast-flip designIn these lengthy, intimate days that I spent with the tripod, I realized to understand the general robustness (good mixture of full aluminium alloy and carbon fibre development) and, no much less importantly, how straightforward it’s to open or collapse the tripod legs. The improved quick-flip design makes the four-section tripod very responsive and simple to regulate to the peak of your liking. Twin-Stage middle column – for larger creativity. Credit score: CineDDual-Stage horizontal middle column An amazing concept that helps overhead and inverted taking pictures modes. It actually will help prolong creativity when filming. Think about having the liberty to “break” the centre column into nearly any diploma that you just want. Getting nearer to things or composing fascinating pictures might probably turn out to be very straightforward. Additionally, the 360° rotation of the column permits straightforward and quick re-framing with out the necessity to transfer all the tripod. So many taking pictures prospects! Credit score: CineDThe tripod handleNext is the tripod deal with. The general design is just not satisfying for me as it’s too brief and too straight, however when you take it off, you’ll uncover a built-in screwdriver with a set of seven interchangeable bits to select from. As a lot as I really like this concept, I hope that airport safety received’t thoughts when you’re carrying your tripod as hand baggage. (Its size is ok, however you by no means know with these guys behind the scanners.)The tripod head deal with. Too brief and straight, nevertheless it has a seven-option screwdriver. Credit score: CineDMinimum heightAnother level to spotlight is the minimal top the JJ06 can obtain, making it nearly splendid for composing low pictures. (Simply bear in mind to open the middle column and drag it up a bit in order that it doesn’t stand larger than the tripod legs themselves.)How low are you able to go? Credit score: CineDWhat might be drastically improvedTripods (along with tripod heads) are a necessary piece of kit for anybody who does severe work. So far as I’m involved, an excellent tripod ought to fulfil the next: be straightforward and secure to function, stand up to the (allowable) load capability, and final however not least, be capable to assist buttery easy pan and tilt. Of their advertising and marketing materials, the corporate refers to all of those factors, particularly mentioning the graceful movement alongside the considerably revolutionary Twin-Stage horizontal column. Sadly, within the area, a few of these options didn’t perform the best way I hoped for. Please enable me to elaborate.The tripod ball head. Can’t be indifferent. Credit score: CineDThe Ball Head and Twin-Stage middle horizontal columnIn this tripod, the included ball head can’t be indifferent. This makes it troublesome to connect equipment like a small slider, for instance. Usually, I’d join my small journey slider on high of flat-headed tripod legs, after which connect a compact tripod head on high of the slider itself for max taking pictures flexibility. Right here, I needed to join the slider to the ball head, making it very exhausting to degree or function normally. On the constructive facet, for these in a rush, the undetachable head ball ensures that you’ll by no means go away the tripod head behind. For others, this answer may provide a greater storage possibility when touring. Based on the corporate, when designing future variations, they may try to strike a steadiness between having the pinnacle removable and permitting for compact storage.The mini slider is sitting on the tripod head. The middle of gravity is larger, leading to much less stability. Credit score: CineDAn extraordinarily small bubble. Not straightforward to degree the tripod. Credit score: CineDSpeaking of leveling, the leveling bubble is among the smallest I’ve ever seen, so be ready to search out it exhausting to steadiness. Much more essential is the pinnacle’s fluidity, and to be clear, I wasn’t anticipating a high-end oil-based head, however all in all, it leaves A LOT to be desired relating to digital camera motion.Not perfection. The knob touches the higher leg base. Credit score: CIneDThis raised two points. To start out with, I used to be caught with this head with out the potential of changing it, and much more alarming is the truth that the entire concept of getting a Twin-Stage middle horizontal column is to supply whole freedom of motion, together with 360° rotation. On this regard, it was very troublesome to regulate the tripod head with the digital camera on it and convey the digital camera the place I wished it to be, and even do a easy pan.Sony FX2 and BLAZAR Mantis lens on the Ulanzi JJ06 tripod. See the angled column. Credit score: CIneDAdd to this the issue of locking the lean in all positions, which means you might be tilting and wish to lock the motion at a sure level. The lock mechanism doesn’t align correctly, so it “jumps” a couple of millimeters on the finish, probably ruining the motion in a shot.The lean locking knob. No assure to lock once you need it to. Credit score: CineDNow, perhaps (simply perhaps) I might have lived with this shortcoming, however what actually annoyed me is the shortage of fluidity that the Twin-Stage column affords. It’s exhausting to elucidate in phrases, however to summarize my frustration, think about that the 2 predominant sections the place the tripod affords motion will not be adequate to execute steady pictures with motion. Interval.If this dual-stage 360° rotation might present a fluid, strong motion, it will have been an incredible, helpful function. Credit score: CineDBefore closing this part, yet one more minor annoyance: Because the ball head rotates 360 levels, the lean open/lock knob is, in fact, a part of this rotation. Now, for panning, you possibly can both open/lock the pinnacle knob or use the middle column to execute this motion (which, by the best way, affords smoother panning). In any of the operational instances, you’ll rapidly end up having points working each the pan and tilt knobs together with your left hand (as your proper hand is holding the tripod head deal with). So many occasions, I discovered the pan locking knob precisely on the other facet from the place I wanted it to be, forcing myself to go away the deal with and lock the pinnacle with two fingers.The fast-release possibility. I want it might accommodate an extended Arca-Swiss plate. Credit score: CineDThe Uka Fast-Launch SystemIn common, I by no means feared that my digital camera wouldn’t be safe on the tripod, and Ulanzi’s answer is easy. One push, and the digital camera is launched. If I might, I’d have inspired the corporate to permit a bigger Arca-Swiss plate to be hooked up, as a substitute of the restricted sq. digital camera base.Ulanzi JJ06 tripod at work. Credit score: CineDFinal ideas concerning the Ulanzi JJ06 tripodI’m not accustomed to Ulanzi’s product design workflow, however seeing how this product behaves within the area, I’d gently advocate that the corporate work carefully with customers. This might assist with executing among the modern, sensible concepts they’re presenting right here in a extra full manner.Going again to my “who works for whom” query, on this explicit case, I discovered it not really easy to carry the brand new tripod into sync with my filming wants. Due to this fact, I felt as if my workflow wanted to be adjusted to accommodate the restrictions I encountered whereas working it.Was I asking an excessive amount of from a $299 tripod? Perhaps, but with so many tripod choices available on the market, I really feel that Ulanzi’s JJ06 GlideGo tripod ought to have been extra pleasant to work with.Value and availabilityBoth the JJ05 ($269) and JJ06 ($299) are actually out there for buy at B&H, Amazon, or immediately on the corporate web site.ULANZI’s product design concepts and philosophyBefore concluding this evaluate, I want to be honest and permit the corporate to voice its opinion concerning the design and philosophy behind this product. I additionally included their very own product abstract on your commentary and consideration:Why a compact design?Portability: The tripod is engineered to maximise performance whereas sustaining a minimal folded dimension. The top and middle column locking knobs are recessed into grooves for compact storage.Head Design Philosophy – Why a dual-panoramic head?Dynamic taking pictures: Important for monitoring shifting topics in video manufacturing or dwell streaming. The 2D pan/tilt head permits exact management for easy pans and tilts.Static taking pictures: The ball head beneath the 2D head supplies flexibility for fast angle changes, compensating for uneven terrain and making certain the 2D head stays degree.Why the Uka quick-release system?Seamless ecosystem: Ulanzi’s Uka ecosystem contains equipment just like the Uka Arca adapter, Uka backpack clip, Uka shoulder strap, Uka vertical plate, and Uka stabilizer base. The Uka quick-release system allows easy switching between setups.Improved effectivity: The downward-mounting mechanism simplifies set up, whereas the anti-drop lock ensures security.Anti-Drop Design: To stop unintentional urgent of the discharge button that would trigger the digital camera to fall, a sliding lock mechanism is included on the finish of the discharge button, which requires a leftward slide to unlock.Heart Column Design Philosophy – Why a dual-stage middle column?Peak versatility (as much as 1.87m): Conventional tripods usually sacrifice top for compactness. The twin-stage column achieves each, assembly various top necessities (e.g., taking pictures above crowds).Horizontal mode: The middle column rotates 360°, enabling artistic actions (orbiting, push-pull, and so on.) and top-down pictures.Inverted mode: The foldable design permits fast inversion for low-angle pictures with out disassembly, enhancing stability.Ulanzi’s abstract of their very own productThe Ulanzi GlideGo JJ06 redefines the normal tripod with improvements like a dual-panoramic head, foldable middle column, and hybrid fluid/ball head system. By addressing the ache factors of bulkiness and restricted performance in conventional tripods, the JJ06 empowers creators with professional-grade stability, versatile movement management, and expanded artistic prospects, all in a light-weight, travel-friendly bundle. Whether or not for dynamic video or static images, the JJ06 enhances each taking pictures effectivity and remaining output high quality.Do you have got any expertise working with a Ulanzi tripod? In that case, what’s your impression? Please share your ideas within the remark part beneath.