Review Travel tripod 'Ulanzi & Coman Zero Y'

review

2 Jul

My first practical experience

I have been a fan of the Ulanzi brand for a while now. Not because everything is perfect. But because, as far as I am concerned, the brand manages to strike exactly the right balance between quality and affordability. You often get surprisingly good value for your money.

When I went looking for a lightweight travel tripod, I ended up with the Ulanzi COMAN Zero Y. I wanted a tripod that was small enough to take with me at all times, but stable enough for serious photography. The tripod was delivered last weekend, and naturally, I couldn't resist taking it out immediately. I tried it out during my first practical test, and in this review, I share my initial findings. Key specifications

Material: Carbon fiber
Weight: only 1.1 kg
Folded: 42 cm
Maximum height: 157 cm
Height without center column: 133 cm
Minimum height: 15 cm
5 leg segments
Leg angles: 20°, 55°, and 75°
Maximum load according to manufacturer: 18 kg
Practical headset load: approximately 3 kg

First impression: surprisingly solid

At just 1.1 kilos, this is a tripod you throw into your camera bag without thinking twice. And that is perhaps the greatest compliment you can give a travel tripod. The carbon legs feel sturdy and the aluminum parts make a neat impression. Many ultralight tripods feel like you'd be better off looking at them with caution than using them. Fortunately, I don't get that feeling with the Zero Y.

The design is strongly reminiscent of the well-known Peak Design Travel Tripod. That is certainly no punishment, because the compact folding system works excellently. The finish looks neat and the tripod immediately feels solid when you take it out of the bag for the first time.

The Integrated Ball Head

The tripod comes with an integrated panoramic ball head, including a spirit level and an Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release plate. During my first use, this worked well. You can easily shoot both horizontally and vertically, and all controls feel smooth.

However, it is good to know that the ball head is not easy to replace. For most photographers, this will not be a problem, but those who want to upgrade later should take this into account. You will need a separate center column, which Ulanzi also supplies for this tripod. You can then mount your own Arca-Swiss compatible head on this.

This ball head fits well with the compact design of the tripod and keeps the total weight nice and low. For my current photography tasks, it functions fine. For my heavier camera with a large telephoto lens, I prefer to use a heavier and larger ball head.

Stability: a promising first impression

For a tripod weighing only 1.1 kilos, the Zero Y performed surprisingly well during my first test. In calm weather, the tripod felt stable, and I had enough confidence to shoot with longer shutter speeds as well. Naturally, I haven't been able to test it under all conditions yet, but the first impression is positive.

As with almost every lightweight travel tripod, I expect strong winds to be a greater challenge. Especially when the center column is fully extended. This center column is the least rigid part. For maximum sharpness, it is better to leave it retracted. This is something I always do by definition. I’d rather duck down a little.

Flip-locks: fast and pleasant to use

Whereas most carbon tripods use twist locks, Ulanzi opts for flip-locks. Personally, I find that very convenient. The legs can be extended lightning fast, and you can see at a glance if everything is properly locked. This is a major advantage, especially when you need to work quickly.

During my first test, the locks felt sufficiently sturdy and operated smoothly. The latches on my Peak Design travel tripod do feel a bit sturdier. But that seems logical given the price difference. So that comparison isn't fair. Of course, how they hold up in the long run remains to be seen.

The built-in Allen key

At the bottom of the center column, there is a small built-in Allen key. That is a smart addition. Hopefully, you will never need it. But should a screw come loose along the way, you will always have a tool at hand.

Also suitable for sand and unpaved surfaces

A handy extra are the 3 included metal spikes. You can easily mount these in place of the rubber feet. This gives the tripod much more grip on sand, mud, or soft forest floor. For landscape photographers, that is a nice addition.

Pros

✔ Wonderfully light and compact

✔ Surprisingly stable for only 1.1 kg

✔ Quick to set up thanks to the flip-locks

✔ Low position possible for creative perspectives

✔ The ball head features a panorama function with degree markings. Which is very handy for panorama or 360-degree photography.

✔ Good value for money

Points to consider

✘ The integrated ball head is not easy to replace. You need the special center column for that. Incidentally, this is also the case with my much more expensive Peak Design travel tripod.

✘ The small lever on the ball head used to rotate the panorama head could be a bit larger in my opinion. It feels very fragile now.

✘ The center column is not very easy to raise by pulling the lever up. It feels a bit too stiff for me.

✘ The spirit level on the head is very small and therefore difficult to see. Unfortunately, once the camera is mounted on the ball head, you can no longer see the spirit level.

Conclusion

My first impression of the Ulanzi COMAN Zero Y is unequivocally positive. The tripod feels solid, is surprisingly light and compact, and is pleasant to operate. For photographers who travel or hike frequently, this seems like a particularly interesting choice. The Zero Y's greatest strength is the combination of low weight, compact size, and surprisingly good build quality. That makes it attractive as a travel tripod.

The main point of attention is that you have to accept the physical limitations of a tripod weighing only 1.1 kg. If you use the center column as little as possible, keep the thinnest leg segments retracted whenever possible, and hang some extra weight on the hook in windy conditions, it performs excellently for landscapes, travel, and general photography.

This tripod excels primarily as a tripod that you actually take with you. A heavier tripod may be more stable on paper, but if it stays at home because it is too heavy, it ultimately results in fewer photos.

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Huub Keulers

Fine Art Photography has always been my way of slowing down and paying attention.

I am drawn to ordinary places, everyday people and fleeting moments that often go unnoticed. A glance, a gesture, a beam of light or the relationship between a person and the space around them can transform an ordinary scene into something meaningful.

My fine art work moves between street-, documentary-, portrait and sports photography. Although the subjects may differ, the intention is always the same: to create images that feel honest, timeless and quietly human.

I believe the strongest photographs are not always the loudest. They invite you to pause, to look a little longer and perhaps discover something you did not notice at first. Rather than directing the viewer, I prefer to leave room for interpretation. Every photograph tells a story, but never the entire story.

Movement also plays an important role in my work. Whether it is found in the rhythm of city life or in the intensity of sport, I am fascinated by the way movement can express emotion, energy and vulnerability within a single frame.

Inspired by photographers such as Robert Doisneau, David Turnley, Joel Meyerowitz, Matt Stuart, Marc Aspland and Bob Martin. I continually search for the balance between composition, timing, artistic and humanity. Their work reminds me that the extraordinary is often hidden within the ordinary.

Based in the Netherlands, I photograph wherever life unfolds—with curiosity, patience and respect for the people I meet along the way.

https://huubkeulers.art