Peter McKinnon's MantisPod vs Budget Ulanzi MT-34 Tripod

I thought I would do a vid today about a budget alternative to the Mantis Pod that Peter McKinnon had in his latest video - The Tactical Multipurpose Camera Tool - the Ulanzi Mt-34. This has been my favourite cheap tripod for on the go vlog style content. Affiliate links below.

Ulanzi MT-34 (shown in video)

OTHER Ulanzi's I like:

Peter's Video:

#ulanzi #mantis #mckinnon

[CharlieVN]

I have the mantispod pro, and after a while, I stopped using it. the hook is nice, but height of a cheapo tabletop like the MT16 was a lot more useful than the hook. vlogging mode was simply too cumbersome. I'de say the nicest thing is the ballhead portion, I took it out and use it on another however, even that part is starting to fail on me, so not so tried and true. a dropped camera is gonna cost a lot of btw, question, does the MT34 hold the weight when standing on a table? the mt16 is rated for 2.5lbs and no way it can hold the A7iv 24GM combo, it collapses on itself, slowly but surely. Do love the simplicity, but it's limited to smaller cameras.

[krisco]

I picked up the mantis pod last year when it first came out thanks to Potato Jet as a gorillapod replacement and the "hook" has been a game changer for me! Not only for camera use, but I also put quick releases on lighting equipment and hang it using the mantis pod on random places on the go for help with lighting. I'd say I got my money's worth based on how I've been using it, however, $150 is still a rip off for what it is! The hook is the game changer, everything else is meh.

[poloreacts]

Love your videos man they really help me with my gear. I ordered the mantis pod pro though but loved the comparison.

[RoderickWortham]

I could care less about that tripod but your thumbnail was so witty I had to click, just to like the vid. The power of the thumbnail, lol. Good job bro 👍🏾

[iconindexsymbol]

The slightly larger Ulanzi MT-43 is great, too!

[GetInspiredMedia]

Ok, so I’m getting this thing. I had a similar selfi tripod but the phone holder broke. Until that time I loved it. Thanks for this Mark 👍

[thedevlife]

Just bought one, Mark Bennett made me buy it!

[AllThingsFilm]

You sold me on the Ulanzi. As far as PM goes, I find your videos way more entertaining. So, you keep doing you. And PM can keep pushing those expensive ND filters that I’ll never buy.

(Pssst. Freewell NDs are way cheaper and just as good. No vignetting. Really.)

[TexpatOTG]

I always buy the best camera support gear I can afford. This gear can last years if you select a good piece of gear. Good show ... Cheers

[ReliveTheMomentCinematicVlogs]

I liked this tripod, but I own the MT 16 instead. The reason being the MT-34 only supports max 15kg payload while the MT-16 supports 2.5kg. My setup is the EOS R6 and the RF 24-70.

[andypate]

Thanks for the review! Nice to see a review for something cheap but useful.

I believe you forgot to mention that with the twist lock you can unlock the last section of the middle column at the bottom allowing the tripod to extend even more.

[Armin]

omg thanks for the Video. I wanted to buy a MantisPod (is on my wishlist)... but this Ulanzi seems like a better deal. Because I love the selfie stick extending but still having these tripod features! Only the little mantis hook for walls is missing.

[iamAnwesh]

I was just about to buy a Mantis Pod but came across this video. Thanks for saving me $125 : )

[jakejohnson]

Well this will be useful, and even I can afford it on the $10 allowance my fiancé allows me in the aftermath my other, completely reasonable (in only my opinion), filming purchases. I’ll see this bad boy three Fridays from now, plus shipping time. Great video.

Congratulations on the 10k! I’ve been rooting for you. I want to finish my next video but life has gotten in the way of fun, and life is a powerful foe, indeed. But I’ll finish soon.

[ThriftyWhiskey]

Dang it, Mark! Why could you not have made this a couple months ago before I bought the MantisPod?? I had a gift card, so it's fine, but man.

[kaistudio]

This is a very nice item to have, here in malaysia it is sold for 8 dollar new..

[HeresMo]

I saw potato jet have the mantis pod last year and wanted it. Then Peter reminded me. However I think I’m going for this one.

[hntrains]

Good job!
Can the hear be taken off/detached (say, to use on another tripod)?

[lucas_]

Hey Mark! Any tips to avoid the tripod compacting when you have the camera set up on a table? My Sony a6600 + sigma lenses seem to be too much for these Ulanzi tripods.