2020-07-30T03:27:52
Rated 4 out of 5
Sturdy, light, and low cost - but with some caveats
The Ulanzi U-20 is very lightweight - mine weighs only 47 grams - and is much higher quality than any ballhead I've seen near its price. It is sturdy and well-made, from a strong plastic similar to Delrin, but uses metal where appropriate (e.g., the tripod threading on the bottom). It utilizes a clamping mechanism I've not seen in a ballhead before. Rather than a tightening knob, the U-20 uses a rotating collar to lock in position. This has the advantage of simplifying the construction, contributing to its low weight and extremely low cost. And it does clamp very firmly.
The design has at least two cons, however. First, it is very difficult to clamp the head firmly, without using both hands. Second, while it does incorporate a notch that allows an attached camera to move from horizontal to vertical, this slot is in the upper rotating clamping collar. Since the bottom of the ballhead doesn't rotate once mounted, the notch is nearly useless: it turns as you lock the head, making aiming problematic. These issues aren't necessarily a deal-breaker, however, and I bought a second unit. I use them for positioning off-camera flash heads in a macro lighting setup, where range of movement is less critical than with a camera.
So I recommend the U-20, as long as you understand its limitations. If your application doesn't require a full 90-degree movement, and the attached camera or accessory is fairly lightweight, this little head might be ideal. For greater adjustability, consider the Ulanzi U-30, at about twice the price ($9), and 71 grams. Or the Oben BD-0, at only 52 grams but $12. Or, for a completely different design, the Smallrig 2157 is only $4. It's even lighter than the U-20 - a mere 33 grams - but I don't think it can support as much weight as any of the others.
TIMOTHY D.
