Peak Design vs Ulanzi F38 - Best Travel Tripod 2023

[@markkempton4579]

I love how thorough this is. I'm considering the Ulanzi with the Arca head. You've helped reinforce where I was leaning.

[@npvids]

for me, the main problem is the F38 base plate. there are two rubber strips and they fall off easily resulting in scratches in the camera. I'd prefer their previous model head which can take arca swiss compatible plates but Ulanzi couldn't send a replacement for the head and instead suggested using a video head with an extra center column. legs are lightweight and compact but with five sections and the last two sections at 15, and 12 they become super thin. is not standing situations with light wind.

[@Glen.Danielsen]

Mark, thanks for excellent views of these. I love comparison videos, because it give more circumspect look. What sticks in my mind most here is that the Peak Design has “less jiggle” with center post. Cheers sir! 🙏🏽

[@michaelknibbs]

Thank you. First review I’ve seen that shows reversing and shortened columns. Sale made

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SneakyCaleb]

I think I gotta go with the regular ulanzi f22 just for compatibility sake. Wish the designed a click in mounting system for regular arca Swiss plates.

[@DannysHauntedJourney]

Mark is peak design.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

This is correct

[@thirstytom]

I wish peak design would add the pan feature to their head! I just bought the ulanzi f-38 tri-pod and I wanted to buy the peak design but I wanted the ability to pan, and for how much peak design is asking for their tri pod you should get the pan function like 99.9 percent of all other heads. Cost me 254 us for extra column and f-38 quick release base and plate. My set up is under 7 lbs, with lil dougie's cousin wilbur hosting a sigma 16mm 1.4 sony as well. I follow you Mark for all my camera needs. Thanks so much for your product thoughts and insight!

[@IndieVR]

Just got the ZV E10, 11mm 1.8, dji rs mini 3 and I will be travelling soon, you read my mind! Thanks for the constant stream of great content Sir.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

Great setup!!

[@lvc394]

I got the the Ulanzi F38 and the Ulanzi U-190 Mini Fluid Head for $300 in a sale that you told me about. So it's your fault, yes you are the blame that I got this great deal on a wonderful tripod. Thank you, however for quick shooting I am using the IFOOTAGE 71" Aluminum Monopod, Cobra 3 A180F to plop down, get the shot and keep moving without all the tripod setup. When I need something more steady the F38 is the way to go.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

I regret nothing!!

[@BenVallack]

The ball head clamp on my Ulanzi is not strong enough to hold my gimbal on it now - I can't see a way to tighten it with the allen key unfortunately. I think the Peak Design ball head clamp might be the better design here.

[@farren7254]

Ulanzi F38’s biggest weakness is the F38 part. Because it does not accept Arca Swiss baseplates on cameras. Big miss since Arca Swiss is the industry standard. So I had to swap it out with another head- which defeats the budget argument for it.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

would have been nice for it to fit all arca swiss, but they do have the zero y which can accommodate other plates.

[@funnybeingme]

That is why the Ulanzi Zero Y exist.

[@ManuelParodiRamos]

I love f38. and f22 for that matter. The only problem with f22 is that the top handle doesn´t hold the 3 kg of my rig. But I digress. I have this 3kg rig with a f38 top plate under, that goes onto the f38 bottom plate on my current tripod. The only problem is that my rig is long from unstable with the f38 top plate under it! I looked into using a kessler kwik stand under the rig, but then I need the corresponding kwik v2 receiver. Apart from using the kwik stand (which is arca swiss) on the PD tripod, do you see any stability solution that can match my favourite, which is the Ulanzi tripod?

[@jakew3]

Tripod? Yes please

[@SimonChambers]

thanks for this comprehensive review, and for bringing up the sustainable and ethical production of PeakDesign- that is one of the main things that sold me on buying their products when I bought my first tripod from them, and now my camera bag as well :)

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

they really seem like a great company

[@tophose999]

@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis I've been really happy with all the products I've bought from them. They cost more, but I'd rather pay more for something and know that the workers are well paid and that the company is working to limit its carbon footprint as much as they can. Those are the main reasons I'd take the Peak Design over the Ulanzi every time. Your arguments make sense the other way, everything except the workers' conditions and environmental focus. And those tip the scale for me very hard :)

[@johnoneill7962]

I have had the peak design for approximately 3 years and as a result of my experience with mirrorless and DSLR I have found the peak design flimsy when upright and it has fallen over quite a few times. The base of the legs are minimal. There are sturdier tripods around nowadays

[@itsnkenge]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS COMPARISON VIDEO!

[@Hobbies4Hire]

Great job on the video Mark! Thanks for making it.

[@MackGarc]

Hi Mark, I have a question about the load capacity. You mentioned that the Ulanzi tripod only supports 6kg, but the website says it can support up to 18kg, which is a significant difference. I bought the tripod, but I haven't received it yet. Is there a difference? Did I buy the same one you have in the video? Thank you in advance

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

The ballhead supports 6kg (which is enough for almost any camera and lens combo. The 18kg they mean is total for the centre column - 6kg on the ballhead and then another 12kg of weight attached to the hook on the center column to keep it steady.

[@johnbrock678]

Thanks Mark, do you ever struggle with the F38 plate screws getting loose? I’m not as manly as you, but the F38 plates twist on the base of my camera sometimes. Any ideas?

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

just tighten it with a coin or straight edge a bit tighter. don’t be afraid to tighten it well. if you’ve tightened the f38 plate well, it won’t come loose easily. of course, if you twist the camera too hard on the tripod, you can loosen it. But once the plate is tightened well, it will be sturdy

[@micbernier6403]

Nice video, do you mean 8,3 inches in circumference? not Diameter? Thanks

[@slair76116]

Would be perfect if you could so a review on the fotopro x-aircross 3 aswell. I think these three are the best options for travel tripods at the moment.

[@paulmzahorosky]

I am currently testing a few Fotopro tripods including the X-Aircross 3 Lite which has disappointing leg stability and is being returned. The Fotopro X-AIRFLY Max, however, might be a permanent addition to my tripod lineup. It doesn't pack down quite as short as the PD or Ulanzi (4 leg sections vs 5) but the legs are sturdier than the PD and the Fotopro has a very robust inverted panning ball head.

[@TheJonOsborne]

Thanks for the amazing video as always Mark. You are a godsend to the photo and video realm. I just bought the 75mm 1.2 Viltrox per your recommendations. I am so stoked! ❤

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

it soooo great

[@TheJonOsborne]

@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis ugh can’t wait. I am literally waiting on the 23mm, the 75mm and the Sigma 30mm to ship right now currently shooting with a kit lens. Talk about a crisis! 😹

Las patas!!!!

[@Dryer_Safe]

I used to be a Peak Design fan. I like rewarding ingenious designs, for a fair amount. But their prices are decided by a Smuag the Dragon, and whether the designs will be compatible from one year to the next is a crapshoot. For that price, the tripod should be steady as a rock, and it looks far from it.

[@robsmith6794]

Can you please clarify something. I have seen the tripod marketed as the Ulanzi as well as Colman. Are they one and the same product or are they different? They have the same spec and have the same model number.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

it is a collaboration project between Ulanzi and Coman. its actually written right on the tripod. if you check the images on the website. So as long as you see Ulanzi and Coman on the tripod keg, it’s the one I have in the video here

[@BreezeA]

Thanks for this video.

[@bradl2636]

Call me cheap but IMHO Peak Design products are WAYYYY... overpriced for what you get. I own Gitzo, Manfrotto and Ulanzi legs. I've had the Gitzo's for 15 years and whilst they are fabulous the prices today are at questionable value levels.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

they are pretty pricey

[@Jeremy_Young]

Outrageously priced 😂

[@TaleOfTwoIdiots]

“My hands are huge and manly…” You got a like just for that. 🤣

[@SirKelvin]

Can you use the ulanzi f38 with DJI Pocket 3 ?!

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

you can if you fasten the baseplate to the bottom of the DJI Pocket 3

[@jasonzhuyx]

How come Peak Design (PD) plate or Arca standard plate does not fit onto Ulanzi F38 tripod? I thought they are both 38mm wide.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

the f38 is a specific quick release system and while the plate is compatible with other arca swiss tripods, you can’t just close any arac Swiss plate into the the f38 tripod. the f39 tripod only takes an f38 plate

[@fry_gaming]

That's really cool. I was looking at both. How do you compare it to your vlog stick MT34? Do you think I could use the MT34 to take pictures with a a6700 and 11mm to 56mm lens (≈ 250g)? I'm going to go travel for a while and I don't want to take more than one tripod. I want one I can do vlogging with but also landscape photography

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

The Mr-34 will only be a few inches off the ground, maybe a foot - so as long as you don’t mind low to the ground shots - or out it up on a ledge - it’ll be fine.

[@benuovir]

Have you tried the HEIPI W28

[@bogingtv01]

im very fan of your videos sir from philippines 🇵🇭

[@jasonzhuyx]

Could you please also provide a test whether PD (Peak Design) plate fits onto Ulanzi Zero Y with Arca tripod head? Thanks

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

yes, the peak design, and any Arca Swiss fits into the zero Y tripod

[@jasonzhuyx]

Could you please provide a test if Ulanzi F38 plate (with Arca 38mm side) fits onto PD (Peak Design) tripod? Thanks

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

yes, the f38 plate fits into the peak design

[@cezaryk7844]

Great comparison, thanks!

[@Mgtowfreedom]

''I have big manly hands'' hilarious

[@br2v]

NICE review, wht is your opinion about the Heipi ?

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

I haven’t tested the Heipi, it looks good, but the quick release system doesn’t appear to be as good as these two.

[@ChristineTabor]

What is difference between F38 and the Zero-Y Ulanzi?? OK I want the F38 quick release but your link goes to the Zero

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

One has a quick release plate that only fits the f38 system (I love it), the Zero Y has a regular arca series plate. You twist it to tighten the plate in like other tripods. More versatile - but not quick release

[@ulanzi]

Thank you for sharing~

[@honzaskypala]

Hey Mark, you should add Benro Cyanbird to this comparision. I believe it beats both of these.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

I’ll look into it!!

[@11shs11]

I would really appreciate it if you’d take a look at the Heipi. I’m torn between the Ulanzi and Heipi.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

yes I’ll try to get it in

[@11shs11]

👍

[@mneves01]

Hi from Brazil Mark, big fan of your vídeos! Could you make a vídeo about desktop tripods?!

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

Great suggestion!

[@DWebbTheOldHead]

Great review on both tripods, Mark. Question……are any of these TSA compliant for international travel? 🍻

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

I have taken them internationally - no questions asked - Europe Africa, the US and Canada

[@DWebbTheOldHead]

@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis~ good lookin’ out, my man. 🍻

[@bradl2636]

@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis In carry-on..?

[@funnybeingme]

I have taken the Ulanzi as a carry on within the United States and also international travel to Patagonia.

[@the_rat_run]

If I bought one of these tripods, I couldn't afford to travel until next year! They are both expensive, Mark, which is fine if photography is earning an income, but not on the menu for this hobby photographer. Great presentation, as always.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

yes - they are not cheap. for a budget option, look at smallrig - the have some nice travel tripods for much less

[@the_rat_run]

@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis I have a K&F Concept Tripod for outdoor stuff - it was a very close call between it and a similar spec smallrig... But the smallrig was out of stock at the time!

[@kmaamk1620]

😂😂😂 thanks mark great vid

[@devinantonovich1]

Sooo what you’re sayin is the ulanzi is the better product. Got it.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

They’re both great. But the ulanzi is more functional. I would say the Peak Design is a bit more rugged, so if your tripod takes a lot of abuse, the Peak Design might do better in that category

[@devinantonovich1]

@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis Thats fair I guess but it seems theres more points in favor of the ulanzi. Most notably value. To me its clearly the better value for the money.

[@paoloeustaquio2248]

Both are still too pricey for me. I prefer the Sirui T-1205 :D

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

I like the sir tripods a lot too

[@6MPFilms]

I Would LOVE to win that tripod Please!🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@noisackda2564]

Redundant Mark. Coming over to pick one up now.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

it’s on the porch

[@markvuong8507]

It's the lifetime warranty for me

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

makes sense to me - peak design always stands by their products

[@theIronmerchant]

I also would like some pancakes

[@MrPureblaque100]

It’s $251 on Amazon

[@adidabax6809]

Your music is anxiety inducing. Is there going to be a battle between tribes? 30 second of that was enough.

[@PhillipRPeck]

The hex key holder on the Peak Design is dumb. Just as you demonstrated in the video, it's way too easy to knock out the key. Also, mine fell out (unbeknownst to me) when the tripod was strapped to my bag and I was riding my bike. Bye bye hex keys. Wouldn't be the end of the world if the camera plates had a notch to use a coin or something else flat, but, alas...

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

yeah. a design flaw for sure.

[@bobbobbins8913]

Same thing happened to me. Strapped the PD to my back and took it out for its first journey, and when I got back I noticed the Allen key had been lost. Wrote to PD to tell them about it and got a reply to say that they'd look into the design. We shall see.

[@seethruhead7119]

VS the benro theta

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

have to try and get that one in

[@ManuelParodiRamos]

@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis is manfrotto befree on the same league as those other you guys are mentioning?

[@slair76116]

Sounds a little like a Ulanzni Advertisement, but I like your videos. And FYI twice I wrote to peak design and twice I got only a we will get back to you we are busy. So Im definitely not happy with peak design.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

ha - I always feel like I sound like an ad for ulanzi, but it’s because they make my favourite tripods and quick release system. I use their stuff literally everyday. I really like the peak design, but honestly, even if they were the same price, the ulanzi is much more functional for me. My peak design does not get used much lately

[@RodneyGracia]

Those both look huge still today...or Mark is a very petite man.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

I am a perfect 5’10, with the perfect physique for a god

[@RodneyGracia]

😍@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis

[@tonytaneja29]

Ulanzi is not cheap, not good product. F38 quick release loosen every time not worth it i trust peak design

[@dfeick]

Just got the Ulanzi. It is pretty nice, but the center column is total garbage. Does not slide up or down easily, has play in it so it rocks back and forth. Does not slide up and down smooth or easily.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

The centre column definitely has play, but it gets the job done when need be and the overall tripod is so great

[@Champageproblemsreviews]

So biased lol

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

To which company?

[@Champageproblemsreviews]

@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis ulanzi

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

I use both, but I find Ulanzi stuff more useful. I mentioned Peak Design is better for the environment, customer service, workers, sturdier when extended, higher payload, takes other Arca Swiss plates. The Ulanzi is overall a more functional tripod for a lower price - so I have to say that if I think it's true. But of course you may not have the same work flow as me

[@AmitKumar-oq6qu]

Hey mark! Have U heard of lumix G9ii ? what's your thought on that?

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

Looks great - I'd like to check it out.