Hey, it’s hot this summer. Like, it’s scorching in most places. In fact, I’m writing this article from Austin, Texas where it’s been over 100 degrees for the better part of 9-months… or at least it feels that way.
And while us humans can stay cool by floating in rivers or just, you know, staying inside in air conditioning, our cameras aren’t as lucky — especially when they’re needed for outdoor shoots.
And while there are several tips and tricks you can try to protect your gear from overheating in the hot summer months, there’s only so much you can do on your own. So, if you are planning to shoot extensively outside and under the sun, you might want to call in some reinforcements.
Which is where this new camera cooling fan from Ulanzi comes in. With its own internal battery, an OLED display and compatibility with Sony, Canon and Fujifilm camera bodies (plus a surprisingly cheap price tag), this might be a solid option to consider when trying to keep your camera cool this summer.
The Ulanzi Camera Cooling Fan
While camera fans and cooling cages are nothing entirely new to the camera world, it’s nice to see new options springing up just in time for these hot summers. And this Ulanzi camera cooling fan does indeed provide some unique features and design quirks.
Made out of aluminum, the Ulanzi cooling fan is lightweight and easy to use as it’s designed to suction itself to the back of your Sony, Canon, or Fujifilm camera body to help circulate air while recording video or live streaming continuously — ideal for cameras without robust built-in cooling features. Frankly, that's most cameras these days.
The Ulanzi cooling fan can be set to low or high speed and includes its own built-in battery (200mAh), which can last for up to 85 minutes at low speed or up to 70 minutes at high speed.
Tje Ulanzi Camera Cooling Fan
Tips for Keeping Your Camera Cool
Along with flipping out a vari-angle rear LCD display on your camera (where the fan mounts with its suction cups), you can also use other tricks to keep your camera and gear cool in the hot months.
A fan will only help if it’s got enough space and air to work with, so try to limit the number of attachable components to your camera, like SSDs, microphones, camera cages, etc., if you want your camera to breathe.
Also, it’s important to mention that while your camera is ultimately replaceable, you are not. Any efforts to keep your camera cool shouldn’t come at the expense of keeping yourself cool, so staying shaded and hydrated throughout hot outdoor shoots should always be your first priority.
A helpful tool for keeping your camera cool.
Price and Availability
All that being said, the most significant selling point of this Ulanzi camera cooling fan might be its $20 price point. It’s cheap, easy to use, and should hopefully provide just enough support to keep your camera running a bit longer and a bit more optimally, on those hot outdoor shoots.
However, the phrase "you get what you pay for" comes to mind. Creatives will have to do some testing of their own to see if this unit will really fit their needs.
If you think the Ulanzi is for you, the fan is compatible with a wide range of Sony, Canon, and Fujifilm cameras, including (but not limited to) the following:
- Sony ZV-E1
- Sony ZV-E10
- Sony a7R IV
- Sony a7S III
- Sony a7C
- Sony FX30
- Sony a6700
- Canon R8
- Canon R7
- Canon R6 Mark II
- Canon R5
- Fujifilm X-S10
- Fujifilm X-T4
- Fujifilm X-H2S
- Fujifilm X-S20
If you’d like to check out the Ulanzi camera cooling fan, you can scoop it up on the company’s website, currently on sale for $20 (although on pre-order with first shipments expected for the end of August 2023).
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