Review: Ulanzi ST-03 Smartphone Support

Recently I've been making a few [casual] videos about my woodworking efforts in a small workshop I have at home. It's a good COVID-19 activity because I can lock myself away from the world while I do it, and then just post the result on YouTube.

To create these hobby videos I decided to not bother using my Canon DSLR, so took the easy route using my iPhone. It actually works surprisingly well, producing quite acceptable video footage - providing I have all the lights on and the garage door open!

What doesn't work so well is its stability - I've seen too many amateur YouTube DIY videos where the film maker hand-holds the phone while demonstrating something. It's very difficult to look at!

I have three tripods - all use the popular Arca Swiss QR (quick release) plate - no good for a smartphone - which means I had to use masking tape to attach the iPhone to the tripod head. Masking tape is great, but it's not a safe way to secure a camera, or an iPhone

To start, I used masking tape to fix the iPhone onto the tripod head - most of the cheap $20 attachments available for the iPhone are designed either only for desk mounted supports, or for screwing into a standard 1/4 inch tripod socket.

I searched a bit deeper online and discovered the Ulanzi ST-03, an aluminium smartphone support complete with tripod screw, Arca Swiss bracket, and a 'hidden' hot shoe. I had no idea what the latter feature was, but ordered it immediately because it was one of the only gadgets that was compatible with my Arca Swiss tripod head.

So, does the Ulanzi work? Absolutely. It's the best $34 gadget I've bought in a very long time. The collapsed unit is tiny, beautifully designed, solidly-built and easy to use. The Arca Swiss bracket works perfectly, the threaded knob at the top of the unit is used to clamp and tighten the fold-out arms over whatever smartphone you have. It couldn't be easier to use  

The hidden hot shoe, as described in its promotional material, is nothing more than a slight metal lip protruding inwards along the top arms - into which you can slide a hot shoe-capable microphone or wireless gadget. Just like a regular hot shoe. As with all objects that exhibit good design, less is more, and this gadget has style, value and design in buckets.