This travel tripod goes over the top and offers angles that most taller tripods can’t. If you’re someone who requires versatility in your lightweight tripod, this is for you.
Travel tripods are tools that play a crucial role for photographers who take photography seriously while on the go. They have the unique task of being sufficient for as many different tasks as possible while remaining portable and easy to carry. This new travel tripod line from Ulanzi aims to serve that purpose and more.
The Ulanzi GlideGo JJ05 Travel Tripod
The Ulanzi GlideGo series comprises two travel tripod variants. The JJ05 comes with a ball head ideally made for still photography, while the JJ06 comes with a portable video head for videographers and content creators on the go.
The GlideGo JJ05 is a 5-section carbon fiber tripod with aluminum joints and locks. When fully folded, it measures only 470 mm (18.50 inches), just a bit longer than its minimum height of 410 mm (16.14 inches). When the leg sections are fully extended, the tripod reaches a height of 1,380 mm (54.33 inches) and can extend further to 1,840 mm (72.44 inches) because of the two-stage center column feature. However, it is important to consider the difference in stability with the elevated center of gravity when using this feature with heavier camera and lens setups.
Each of the carbon fiber leg sections is connected by machined aluminum clip locks with a muted dark green color accent. These clip locks are curved to follow the contour of the cylindrical carbon fiber rods for a smoother and more comfortable grip. Atop the most proximal leg section is a leg angle release tab that allows the legs to take a wider configuration for lower angle shooting and/or achieving a broader base.
On one of the corners of the central joint of the tripod is a knob that unlocks the main center column height for adjustments. The other two remaining corners are designated 1/4-inch screw threads with two locking pin ports each for additional accessories through friction arms and other compatible tools. Above this is a small knob that controls the 360-degree panning movement of the entire ball head. However, when the center column is fully set down, this knob gets in the way of the range of motion, which requires the center column to be elevated by about half an inch to get the full rotation axis.
Above the pan knob is another knob that unlocks the second stage of the center column, which can be separated entirely from the first stage. When the knob on the side is turned, it allows the second stage to turn sideways to achieve a more horizontal position. With this configuration, the user can shoot downwards with the lens perpendicular to the ground or an elevated surface such as a table for flat lays and overhead shots.
Above these locks and turning points is an inverted-style ball head that is controlled by another curved clip lock that wraps around the body of the head. Above this is another knob for a more controlled panning motion that is independent of the level of the legs and central joint. On top of that is a button that allows for a quick release of the camera mounting plate.
The GlideGo tripods make use of Ulanzi’s UKA quick release system. This uses square mounting plates that are compatible with other Arca-Swiss quick release clamps. However, the QR clamp on the tripod head itself is only compatible with the square UKA plate and the similarly sized Falmcam F38 quick release plate. While it offers a lot of convenience in quickly mounting and releasing the camera on the tripod, it is important to note that other camera mounting plates will not work with the GlideGo tripod.
Application
Because of the five-section leg construction, this tripod is able to achieve a considerably short folded length while still being able to raise the camera to a significant height. This makes the tripod easier to pack on the side or bottom attachment loops of camera bags—or even possibly inside the bag itself when there is enough room. Despite that, a weight of 1.56 kg still gives it a sturdy stance, especially when the center column(s) are not extended. The maximum payload of 5 kg may be less than what other travel tripods offer, but it can still very well carry a full frame camera body and a standard-sized lens.
For general use when traveling, this tripod can definitely be more than enough for most shooting scenarios. Whether traveling in an urban setting or even when hiking is involved, the combination of the tripod’s size and stability can definitely fit the needs of most photographers. It is important to note that using this tripod in harsh environments, such as heavily windy situations or with the legs submerged in flowing water, might not be as secure as what bigger tripods could offer. Otherwise, any calmer shooting scenarios can be handled very well by the GlideGo tripod.
With the addition of the two-stage center column, this tripod can actually achieve a much higher maximum height than other travel tripods. Fully extending the tripod to 1,840 mm for quick high-angle shots can certainly be done—but probably not if you’re doing long exposures in windy environments. Because of the secondary center column’s ability to turn sideways into different angles, the user can get creative with perspectives, which can be quite useful for shooting still life, food, and products on an elevated platform. Because of the reduced height when the center column is turned sideways, it doesn’t technically reach an overhead height unless the legs are placed on a higher level than the ground. Regardless of that, the 90-degree (and beyond) center column angle offers a lot of flexibility with camera angles overall.
The Ulanzi GlideGo JJ05 is definitely a unique and interesting tripod option for photographers and creators who prefer more portable support solutions that can adapt to their creative requirements in shooting. Along with the video version of this tripod, the JJ06, this new tripod line surely has a lot to offer.
What I Liked:
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Well-built and portable carbon fiber tripod
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Two-stage center column
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Horizontal center column configuration
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Extremely high maximum height
What Can Be Improved:
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An additional angle notch on the ball head
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The exclusive compatibility with the mounting plate can be limiting
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Possibly a larger (pro) version with even more range and payload