Ulanzi F38 Quick Release Carbon Fiber Video Travel Tripod Introduced

by Jürgen MoorsApril 26^th, 2023

Ulanzi introduced the new carbon fiber F38 Quick Release Video Travel Tripod and we had the chance to check it out together with William Wang from Ulanzi at the NAB show in Las Vegas. It has a weight of 1,08kg/2,38 lbs and a payload of 3kg/6,6lbs. It comes with a small video head with a counterbalance of 1,5kg/3,3lbs and it operates at a maximum height of 156cm/62in. The F38 retails for $260 and is already shipping. Let’s have a closer look at the new carbon legs.

You might think a tripod is a rather simple product but in fact, they are often an overlooked essential for cameras. On one hand, they should be solid and provide as much stability as possible, and on the other hand, portable travel tripods should be small, compact, and lightweight. At last year’s IBC, we had the chance to meet landscape photographer Pedro Kin and talk to him about the Ulanzi Zero Y Lightweight Travel Tripod. If you haven’t heard about it, please check out the interview here.

Ulanzi F38 Quick Release Video Travel Tripod

The F38 tripod is Ulanzi’s move from consumer products towards professional-grade products for filmmakers, Vloggers, and content creators who travel frequently. It has a few very interesting design features that could come in quite handy when you are traveling with your gear.

Weight is always a concern when you are traveling with your own equipment and film gear. The F38 Quick Release Video Travel Tripod, as the full name implies, is made of carbon fibre and weighs only 1,08kg/2,38 lbs, and that is, by all standards, really lightweight.

Ulanzi video head

The F38 tripod comes with a small video head capable of holding a maximum weight of 3kg/6.6lbs. It has a counterbalance of 1,5kg/3,3lbs and a tilt angle between -55° downwards and 90° upwards, and a small integrated leveling bowl with a bubble that permits a quick and easy camera leveling workflow. This is an essential feature when you want to shoot a video and have to move the tripod around.

The base plate of the video head is a standard Arca Swiss plate with a quick-release mechanism. The center column has a built-in phone holder that can be unscrewed and used together with your smartphone for shooting with the tripod. That is actually quite a clever design feature of the Ulanzi F38!

Ulanzi F38 tripod legs

The maximum height is 156cm/61in when the center column is all the way up. Just keep in mind that this center column is always the weakest part of any small travel tripod, so I recommend keeping your camera weight below 3kg/6,6lbs when shooting video. For still photography, it’s possible to put up to 10kg/22lbs on the center column as long as you are not panning or tilting.

The minimum operating height is 43,2cm/17in, and the folded F38 tripod measures only 46cm/18in in length, making it compact enough to fit into a side pocket of a standard camera backpack. The legs have 5 sections and are locked and released by twisting the rubber cap at the button end of the legs.

Ulanzi F38 specifications

• Material: Carbon Fibre
• Load Capacity: 3kg/6,6lbs
• Counterbalance: 1,5kg/3,3lbs
• Ballhead Tilt Angle: -55°/90°
• Min Height: 43,2cm/17in
• Max Height: 156cm/61in
• Folded Length: 46cm/18in
• Leg Sections: 5
• Net Weight: 1,08kg/2,38 lbs

Price and availability

The new Ulanzi F38 Quick Release Video Travel Tripod is now available and retails for $260. For further information about the F38 Quick Release Video Travel Tripod, please visit the website of Ulanzi here.

Do you often carry a tripod with you when traveling? What do you think of the new Ulanzi F38 Quick Release Travel Tripod? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!