Ulanzi’s New GlideGo Tripods Are Excellent for Photo and Video

Jul 29, 2025

Kate Garibaldi

A tripod and a gray carrying case labeled "Ulanzi" rest on a tree branch in a green, leafy forest. The Petapixel Showcase logo appears in the lower right corner of the image.

Ulanzi continues to innovate with its new JJ05 and JJ06 GlideGo Tripods. Designed to meet the diverse needs of content creators, these tripods combine portability, durability, and professional-grade features to cater to both photographers and videographers. We went hands-on with the new Ulanzi JJ06 tripod to see how it fares.

Full disclosure: This Showcase has been sponsored by Ulanzi, but the opinions contained therein are PetaPixel’s.

A Versatile Approach to Photography and Videography

The JJ05 and JJ06 offer distinct advantages, but both models emphasize versatility. The lighter JJ05 is tailored more for on-the-go photography, while the JJ06 is optimized for videography. However, both tripods provide a range of features that make them ideal for a wide variety of creatives. Whether you’re shooting stills, recording video, or capturing time-lapse footage, the JJ05 and JJ06 are built to provide seamless functionality across a variety of shooting scenarios.

A black camera tripod with three adjustable legs stands on green ferns outdoors, surrounded by lush vegetation. The tripod's handle and mounting head are visible at the top.

Uka Quick-Release Kit

Both the JJ05 and JJ06 tripods feature Ulanzi’s newly designed proprietary quick-release system, Uka, which the company explains is an upgraded version of the popular Arca-Swiss style.

“The JJ05 and JJ06 GlideGo Tripod Series come equipped with our proud Uka Quick-Release Kit, fully compatible with both Uka and F38 plates for maximum versatility. The Uka Quick-Release System is Ulanzi’s optimized and improved version of the Arca-Swiss quick-release system, designed based on photographers’ operating habits. It eliminates the traditional knob-style locking mechanism, replacing it with a mechanical clip system for securing the top plate. This allows for quick and efficient installation, from sliding in and locking to a fast, direct push-button lock, making it ideal for photographers and videographers who need to set up quickly and efficiently,” Ulanzi says.

Close-up of a Ulanzi tripod head with adjustment knobs and a numbered dial, set against a blurred background of green foliage and pink flowers.

A black tripod stands in front of pink coneflowers with orange centers and green leaves, set in a lush garden.

Close-up of a black metal lever clamp attached to a carbon fiber tube, with a blurred green background. The clamp has two screws and a locking mechanism.

Close-up of a carbon fiber tube with a black metal hook at the bottom, set against a blurred green background.

Close-up of a carbon fiber tripod clamp with a locking lever and a dial marked with degree measurements, set against a blurred green background.

A close-up of a carbon fiber tripod leg with three twist locks, set against a blurred background of green fern leaves.

JJ05 GlideGo Travel Tripod: The Portable Workhorse

The JJ05 is a lightweight, travel-friendly tripod with a professional build. Weighing in at only 3.43 pounds (1.56 kilograms), it’s incredibly portable, making it an excellent choice for photographers who are always on the move. Despite its lightweight design, the JJ05 doesn’t sacrifice strength or stability thanks to its CNC-machined aluminum and 3K twill carbon fiber construction. The maximum load capacity is 39.7 pounds (18 kilograms), with the head supporting 11.7 pounds (five kilograms), easily handling most cameras, lenses, and accessories.

• Buy the Ulanzi JJ05 new on Amazon •

One of the key features of the JJ05 is its 360° panoramic rotation, which is perfect for capturing sweeping landscapes or detailed still shots from different angles. The tripod’s center column and ball head provide smooth, precise control, making it ideal for a variety of shooting situations. With its 90° vertical switch capability, the JJ05 also enables overhead shots, which are ideal for product photography, flat lays, or creative compositions.

The JJ05 extends from 16.14 to 72.44 inches (41 to 184 centimeters), offering an impressive height range for a tripod of its size. The dual-section center column and 5-section quick-lock legs give you a broad range of shooting positions, allowing you to easily adjust the height for low or elevated shots. Plus, with its Uka quick-release system and safety lock, mounting and dismounting your camera is quick and secure, perfect for fast-paced shoots.

JJ06 GlideGo Video Tripod: Smooth Cinematic Movement

The JJ06 is the video counterpart to the JJ05, designed to deliver seamless, cinematic shots. The dual 360° panoramic rotation and tilt of both the ball head and center column allow for incredibly smooth panning and glide-like movements, enabling videographers to capture dolly-like shots without needing additional gear. This is particularly useful for filmmakers who want to create hyperlapse or time-lapse videos, or simply need smooth transitions during filming.

A black camera tripod is leaning against the trunk of a large tree in a lush, green forest surrounded by ferns and leafy plants.

The JJ06 has a height range that extends from 17.3 inches to a towering 73.6 inches (44 to 187 centimeters), making it highly adaptable for both high and low-angle shots. The dual-section center column and 5-section quick-lock legs provide maximum flexibility in adjusting the tripod to the ideal height, while the Uka quick-release system ensures fast camera mounting with a secure safety lock.

• Buy the Ulanzi JJ06 new on B&H •

• Buy the Ulanzi JJ06 new on Amazon •

As with the JJ05, the JJ06 is built with CNC-machined aluminum and 3K twill carbon fiber, providing a solid yet lightweight 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) frame that can support up to 39.7 lbs (18 kg) of camera equipment. The JJ06 is built to endure heavy use without sacrificing portability, making it suitable for long shoots in various environments. Additionally, its screwdriver handle with 7 interchangeable bits adds another layer of convenience, allowing for quick repairs or adjustments while on the go.

Infographic showing a tripod with a built-in removable screwdriver handle, 7 interchangeable bits labeled with sizes, and arrows demonstrating assembly for convenient camera setup adjustments.

Key Differences Between the JJ05 and JJ06

Although both tripods offer many similar features, including a nifty carry bag, they are optimized for different purposes:

Ulanzi states that the JJ05 is designed more towards photographers, with a focus on portability, ease of use, and support for heavy loads, it’s ideal for photographers who require a versatile and durable tripod for all-day use.

Comparison chart of two tripods, JJ05 and JJ06, listing features like quick-release, ball head, center column, weight, height, load capacity, and built-in screwdriver (only JJ06 has one). JJ06 is heavier and extends higher.

While both the JJ05 and JJ06 feature a dual 360° panoramic rotation with 90° vertical switch, the JJ06 is more geared towards video and adds a tilt function for smooth panning capability making it the go-to choice for anyone looking to capture cinematic video with precise, fluid movement.

Both tripods come with a variety of adjustable features, including multiple leg angles (22°, 55°, 80°) and vertical-to-horizontal adjustment capabilities. These make them highly adaptable for both shooting scenarios, whether you’re shooting in a studio, on location, or outdoors.

In The Field

I tested the Ulanzi JJ06, which is touted as the video leaning design, and I can confirm that it is excellent for both video and stills. The standout features for me were the very secure flip locks on the legs, high-quality carbon fiber build for durability outdoors, the panoramic head, and the ability of the tripod to transform for ultra-low angles.

Low angles in particular were of interest to me as I love creating layered compositions, getting in close and low to foliage or flowers for dynamic landscape or macro images. With the ability of the JJ06’s modular design, the tripod almost does yoga as it folds out and around to become one of the lowest-angle tripods I have ever used. For video, the low-angle function allows creative footage at a bug’s-eye view.

A camera mounted on a tripod is set up outdoors on a forest floor, surrounded by green plants and leafy vegetation. The camera is aimed straight ahead, capturing the natural environment.

A black camera mounted on a tripod is set up outdoors among green ferns and foliage, with the trunk of a large tree visible in the background.

A digital camera mounted on a tripod points toward a forest scene, with the camera’s screen displaying a focused image of trees and greenery. The tripod stands on a path surrounded by lush vegetation.

A camera mounted on a tripod is positioned in front of a patch of pink coneflowers and green foliage, ready to photograph the flowers up close outdoors.

The JJ06 is designed with robust carbon fiber and attractive emerald green flip locks for an overall professional look. The locks were smooth to operate and stayed put when locked down, yet flipped open smoothly for quick adjustments to tripod height.

The panoramic marked heads ensure precision in creating video or stills, and I used them to create the lead image which is a panoramic stitch of 30 images for a huge sharp image file (shown below with 100% crop slice).

A camera on a tripod is set up in a lush forest. In the top right corner, an inset labeled "100% CROP" shows a close-up of the camera lens. The scene is surrounded by green foliage and tree branches.

A black camera tripod stands among blooming pink, yellow, and purple flowers in a lush green garden with dense foliage in the background.

A black Ulanzi tripod and its carrying case are set upright against a large tree trunk, surrounded by green ferns and lush vegetation in a forest setting.

One Minor Caveat

Many aspects of the JJ06’s tripod design are fantastic, although I do have some concerns with the serrated tooth mechanism that holds the head at an angle. While this is a great feature, and can work very well, a fair bit of dust falls out when using this hinge and there is no way to fully separate the teeth to prevent it. The teeth help keep your gear from suddenly falling down to the side, but I worry that with extended use, the teeth might wear down. In any event, it’s a great idea that is well executed, even if I worry about the mechanism’s longevity.

A camera mounted on a low tripod is set up on a forest floor covered with leaves, surrounded by lush green plants and trees under bright daylight. — This position is the angle that got stuck for me.

The Ulanzi JJ05 and JJ06 GlideGo Tripods Are Excellent Options for Hybrid Creators

The Ulanzi JJ05 and JJ06 GlideGo Tripods stand out as versatile, high-quality tools that meet the needs of both photographers and videographers. Whether you’re a still photographer looking for a lightweight, portable tripod or a videographer seeking smooth, cinematic panning shots, Ulanzi has delivered with these innovative products. With their solid construction, smooth performance, and ease of use, the JJ05 and JJ06 are perfect for content creators who need reliable, flexible gear that won’t slow them down.

Ulanzi continues to uphold its reputation for creating innovative photography accessories, offering affordable, professional-grade products that enhance the creative process for all types of visual storytellers.

Pricing and Availability

The JJ05 is priced at $269, while the JJ06 comes in at $299. Given their array of professional-grade features and durable construction, both tripods provide exceptional value for their respective price points. For the first two weeks, a $30 discount is available on both models, making them even more affordable.

Customers can use code “879” on Ulanzi’s website for an extra 5% off, and both tripods come with a four-year warranty when purchased directly through Ulanzi.

Welcome to a PetaPixel Showcase, in which our staff gives you a hands-on with unique and interesting products from across the photography landscape. The Showcase format affords manufacturers the opportunity to sponsor hands-on time with their products and our staff, and it lets them highlight what features they think are worth noting, but the opinions expressed from PetaPixel staff are genuine. Showcases should not be considered an endorsement by PetaPixel.

Image credits: Ulanzi, Kate Garibaldi