Neewer LT32 vs. Ulanzi Zero Y: Detailed Comparison of Carbon Travel Tripods for Photography and Video
Summary:
This video provides a detailed comparison of two popular carbon travel tripods, the Neewer LT32 and the Ulanzi Zero Y, focusing on their features, advantages, and drawbacks for landscape, macro, and video photography.
- The Neewer LT32 is highlighted as a preferred alternative due to its ease of use and versatility.
- Both tripods are made from carbon and metal, offering lightweight and robust construction.
Neewer LT32 attached to a backpack, illustrating its portability [ 00:00:32 ] - Key differences include the Neewer LT32's lighter weight (1.13 kg) and higher load capacity (10 kg) compared to the Ulanzi Zero Y.
- The Neewer LT32 has a more accessible central column for splitting and a more universal Arca-Swiss type plate with an easy-to-use ring screw.
Price comparison between Ulanzi Zero Y and Neewer LT32 [ 00:03:09 ] - The Ulanzi Zero Y's central column requires a specialized tool to split, and its plate attachment is less convenient, often covering the bubble level.
- A significant advantage of the Neewer LT32 is its modularity, acting as a base for various Neewer accessories, including a horizontal/vertical column for specialized shooting like product or food photography.
Comparison of Arca-Swiss plates, showing Ulanzi's screw (right) and Neewer's tool-free ring (left) [ 00:08:03 ] - The video concludes that the Neewer LT32 offers superior user experience and system expandability at a more attractive price point.
Introduction to Travel Tripods [0:00]
- The speaker, Louis Lavoie, expresses his passion for tripods, noting each serves a specific purpose.
- He highlights the importance of lightweight, easy-to-handle tripods for landscape and macro photography.
- After nearly two years of using the Ulanzi Zero Y, he found certain aspects frustrating and sought a quality alternative.
- The Neewer LT32 emerged as a strong contender without the flaws present in the Ulanzi model.
Neewer LT32 attached to a backpack, illustrating its portability [ 00:00:32 ]
General Characteristics and Similarities [1:47]
- Materials: Both the Ulanzi Zero Y and Neewer LT32 are primarily constructed from carbon and metal, with some plastic components, ensuring durability and lightness.
- Weight:
- The Neewer LT32 weighs 1.13 kg (2.49 lbs), making it very light and portable for travel.
- Load Capacity:
- The Neewer LT32 can support up to 10 kg (22 lbs).
- Height and Compactness:
- Maximum height: 157 cm (62 inches).
- Compact folded length: 49 cm (19 inches).
- Price:
- Both models are positioned as more affordable alternatives to high-end carbon tripods like the Peak Design.
- The Neewer LT32 is generally more attractively priced than the Ulanzi Zero Y (Ulanzi Zero Y: 220€; Neewer LT32: 195€, often on sale for 138€).
Price comparison between Ulanzi Zero Y and Neewer LT32 [ 00:03:09 ]
- Leg Sections: Both tripods feature five-section legs with latches for extension and retraction.
- Feet Options: Both offer interchangeable rubber tips and metal spikes for versatile use in different terrains.
Interchangeable rubber and metal spike feet on the tripod [ 00:03:42 ] - Central Column Functionality:
- Both allow for the removal and splitting of the central column, useful for macro photography to achieve lower shooting angles.
- A hook at the end of the central column on both models allows for weighting the tripod for increased stability.
- Both include a moon wrench (or similar tool) stored within the central column for maintenance and adjustment.
Differences and User Experience [3:22]
- Central Column Removal and Splitting:
- Ulanzi Zero Y: Removing the central column is laborious, and splitting it for macro work requires manipulating a moon wrench into a specific, hard-to-find opening. The integrated tool itself can be easily damaged due to severe machining (the speaker damaged his).
- Neewer LT32: The central column can be easily unscrewed and split without needing an additional tool or complex manipulation, offering a much simpler and faster process.
- Tripod Head and Plate:
- Bubble Level:
- Ulanzi Zero Y: The bubble level is poorly placed and gets covered by the mounting plate, making it difficult to level the tripod after attaching the camera.
- Neewer LT32: The bubble level is positioned outside the plate's action range, ensuring it remains clearly visible for precise leveling.
- Arca-Swiss Type Plates: Both use Arca-Swiss type plates with similar dimensions.
- Ulanzi Zero Y Plate: The screw for attaching the camera requires a moon wrench, which is inconvenient. It's not feasible to replace this with a ring-type screw due to the plate's design. The plate also requires a specific orientation to fit into the tripod head, making it less universal and more challenging to mount quickly.
- Neewer LT32 Plate: Features a screw with a ring for easy, tool-free tightening. The plate is much more universal, allowing the camera to be mounted in any direction without specific alignment, making it faster and smoother to use.
Comparison of Arca-Swiss plates, showing Ulanzi's screw (right) and Neewer's tool-free ring (left) [ 00:08:03 ] 
Camera mounted on the Neewer LT32, demonstrating precise positioning for panorama or video [ 00:11:23 ]
- Bubble Level:
- Neewer LT32 Specific Feature: System Integration [11:38]
- The Neewer LT32 is designed as the base for a modular system.
- The central column and tripod head can be fully removed, allowing the tripod legs to be used with other Neewer accessories.
- One accessory replaces the central column with a simple screw mount, enabling the use of alternative tripod heads.
- Another key accessory is a horizontal/vertical column that attaches to the tripod legs. This is particularly useful for:
- Product photography, where precise positioning and overhead shots are often required.
- Food photography.
- Video shooting, allowing for smooth camera movements and precise framing.
Neewer LT32 used with a horizontal/vertical column accessory for product or food photography [ 00:13:06 ] 
Neewer LT32 legs used as a base for a carbon slider accessory for video [ 00:13:41 ]
- This modularity transforms the LT32 from just a tripod into a versatile support system for various photographic and videographic applications.
Minor Complaints and Conclusion [14:01]
- Neewer LT32 Lever Position: The plate release lever has a specific "locked left" position where it won't eject the plate, requiring it to be in the center position. This is a minor learning curve.
- Carrying Bag: The provided carrying bag for both tripods lacks separate pouches for accessories, which could lead to small parts falling out when handling the bag in the field.
- Overall Preference: The speaker expresses a clear preference for the Neewer LT32 due to its user-friendly design, efficient central column, universal plate, and expansive accessory system, especially given its competitive price.