Honest 9 month review of ULANZI COMAN ZERO Y TRAVEL TRIPOD

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

What been your experience it’s the Ulanzi Coman Zero Y travel tripod? If you’ve not got one yet would you after watching this?

[@BlackBeltBarrister]

Thanks for this. The 'brake' is a bit of a dealbreaker for me!

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Cheers. Yeah fair enough.

[@tommydaynjer5334]

This is a great update video. I just bought this tripod to replace a rather wobbly 3 legged thing travel tripod. The big selling point for me of this besides the size and carbon fiber is the fact you can put a different center column in to use your own ball head, so that eliminates the issue you are having of the locking mechanism giving you issues. I like 3 legged thing’s ball heads but not their tripods so this will be a great combo for me!

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Yeah good call!

[@DonDickinson-o9o]

- So far I have been quite impressed by such a lightweight tripod. The only beef I have is that Ulanzi uses non standard size threads for their "optional" centre column and for their feet. If I want to attach a different ballhead or I want to attach claws on the feet instead of rubber or spikes... no can do... non standard sizes. The optional centre column uses a 1/4 - 20 thread instead of the stand 3/8 - 16. So I have to use a bushing if I want to put another head on the tripod. Not the end of the world, but I think Ulanzi owes us an explanation for the non-standard size used on the centre column. So far they have not answered that question... actually, they have decided to ignore me the three times that I asked. Overall, though, I really like the tripod. Great for senior photographers who are trying to keep their gear weight down. Great video, by the way.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Hmmm good question. I’d not realised the feet weren’t interchangeable. I think you’re right though. That’s annoying. As for the centre column are you talking about the hook (bottom) end or the top (head) end?

[@DonDickinson-o9o]

The top end. In its original state, you cannot replace the supplied ballhead. It's permanently attached to the centre column. If you want a different ballhead, then you have to buy their optional centre column, which has a 1/4-20 thread on the top. Most, if not all, ballheads, have a 3/8-16 thread on the bottom... meaning you have to use a bushing to attach it to the Zero-Y... which is just one more piece that can come loose.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Yep I get you. That is very strange when you come to think about it!!@@DonDickinson-o9o

[@Skene_O]

Great long use review Ralph. Looks like a robust tripod. Would love your tips on travelling/flying with your camera gear. Should it all be in my carry on or pack some in my bag? Anything we should know about domestic travel?

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

That’s a great idea for a vlog. I’ll put my thinking cap on!

[@poutineitup9510]

nice honest review. Thanks for making this video

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Super appreciate that mate. Thank you!

[@Hentacular]

We need more honest reviews like these on YT! Keep up the good work. Unfortunately just watched this video (to confirm my suspicions) right after my camera dropped off me tripod when I was doing astro.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thanks mate. Yeah camera security is really important 😬

[@TygerTygerBrnigBrght]

Look into low strength thread locker, I just ordered a zero y myself.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Is that like a glue look-a-like substance? I imagine you apply it to the screws?

[@TygerTygerBrnigBrght]

@@RalphMayhewPhotography I've replied twice but my replies dont seem to go through may be because I was mentioning a specific brand - look up low-strength thread locker, it adds friction to screw threads, the one I used is sounds similar to 'lock tight'

[@jorgepintomonteiro6848]

Number 7 is an ABSOLUTE NO GO, that's bad....

[@jorgepintomonteiro6848]

Any way to ameliorate the problem, like using a threadlocker or something?

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

I reckon threadlocker is a good option 👍

[@bencompson]

@@jorgepintomonteiro6848 If you're talking about the knob that tightens the clamp onto the A-S plate then I don't think thread locker would be a good idea unless you planned on leaving the camera on the tripod all the time. Even weak thread locker can require considerable force to break.

[@stephenknight6596]

It is interesting that you mention that the base plate is insecure. I recently tested a Fotopro ball head (quite likely the same OEM as Ulanzi) and whilst it could clamp down on Fotopro's own low profile Arca-Swiss "compatible" plate, it could not fully tighten (or would rapidly untighten) when used with a higher profile 3LT Arca-Swiss "compatible" plate. Both plates could be secured in the 3LT grip. This issue could be that the Fotopro and Ulanzi grips do not quite meet Arca-Swiss specification. Interested to know experience from other photographers.

[@lukeae2001]

what would be your recommended work around if I were to face a similar issue

[@kenkracko9303]

Thanks for the update. Just bought a lightly used one and am impressed with it so far.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Great to hear. They’re a really great product.

[@veryberry-]

Do you think the F38 version with the click in QR would fare better than this knob?

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Yes i think so 👍

[@bencompson]

The problem with the F38 QR version is that it will not accept standard Arca-Swiss plates. That's a deal breaker for me.

[@GilbertTV]

I want one

[@scottabergermd]

Nice video. I notice their belt buckle to carry their camera loosens EVERY TIME!! It is the one and only thing I prefer the PEAK DESIGN belt buckle for. That and their belt buckles are so small, they don’t fit on my backpack front strap (it is a think tank back pack.).

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Gah sorry mate, not sure what you mean by belt buckle - in this situation 😬

[@richardlynam2007]

Great review Ralph. Great to see review of gear after its been used in the real world for a while. I thinnk you have helped make up my mind on this tripod. Looks great. Also watching this video is really making me miss my backpacking days down under (wish i was into photogtaphy back then!).

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

How good are the back packing days!! Thanks very much. I felt convinced early on it would be a great tripod and it’s certainly held up over time.

[@JerodBeeson]

Just got mine. The first time I used it my camera nearly fell to the ground because the plate lock became loose for no reason. I don't know how every one of these hasn't been returned because of that. Happened after 5-10 minutes. I like the tripod, but this is a deal breaker for me. Plus the bubble level is unusable.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Sounds like you got a dud mate. Sorry to hear that.

[@SilverLineGamingProd]

Thank you for the review! As it has been 6 months since you've released this video, would you still recommend it or have you noticed it "deteriorate" and not holding up to the same level as you showcased in the video?

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

It’s definitely held its form. I’d still recommend it and use mine all the time.

[@leftycrafter]

Wonderful, honest review/ update. Thank you!

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

That’s very much appreciated. Thanks.

[@jfmaddocks]

Excellent review! Months in, I’m loving mine as well. I’ll be bringing mine to Queensland from Canada, later this year. I love the light weight and durability of this tripod.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

It’s so good to travel with and so handy on sight! Where abouts in Queensland are you travelling to?

[@jfmaddocks]

@@RalphMayhewPhotography I’ll be visiting friends from Toowoomba up to Rockhampton, but much of the time will be in Bundaberg.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

@@jfmaddocks bundy is great. You have to try the Bundaberg ginger beer factory and the bundy rum factory. The sunsets up there are insane. Sounds like a great trip 👍

[@jfmaddocks]

@@RalphMayhewPhotography This will be my 8th trip there. My son and I were there last year and did the tour of the Ginger beer factory. The sunsets there are the most spectacular I’ve ever seen.

[@express26]

I brought it with me for 2 abroad trips. Ended up no use of it. Issue with my F38 version is that it worked perfectly when taking landscape orientation. However, when I tilt the ball head to landscape orientation, the base plate attached to suddenly loosened causing blur image. Not sure because of the weight of my camera setting (1500grams max) or defect (I bought another f38 base plate - No help still got loosen issue) Pity the tripod quality seems very nice. But with the major flaw, I might need to sell it and return to Arca-Swiss tripod instead

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

I used threadlocker on mine and it solved that issue 👌