The Falcam F22 Quick Release Series for Action Camera Kit is a combination of four beautifully crafted pieces of equipment. Finished in a speckled gun metal blue-grey with matte silver threads and buttons, which look terrific. All parts are aluminium alloy, and therefore robust, as action camera accessories need to be.
The four pieces are:
· F22 Double Ears Quick Release Base for Action Camera
· F22 Quick Release Plate for Action Camera
· F22 Quick Release Clip for Action Camera
· F22 & F38 Quick Release Ball Head for Action Camera
This set of four are a timely addition to the F22 Quick Release range, catering for every action camera enthusiast.
1. F22 Double Ears Quick Release Base for Action Camera
With GoPro feet (ears, or fingers as GoPro call them) on the bottom and the F22 quick release bracket on top, this is a great starting place for the Kit. The feet can be attached to any standard GoPro mount, leaving the bracket free for an accessory to be attached to it.
The attachment takes place by sliding a plate (mount) into the clip, ensuring to follow the direction of the helpful arrow (see image). A plate can be attached at any of the four sides, best suited to your needs. The plate is disengaged by pressing the silver button and sliding the plate out the way it came in.
2. F22 Quick Release Plate for Action Camera
This accessory is the natural partner to the Double Ears Quick Release Base. The plate slides into the F22 bracket of other F22 Ulanzi accessories and the GoPro attachment forks allow the user to easily mount any action camera (or action camera cage/case with feet) to the Quick Release Plate.
The silver screw thread is aesthetically well designed and holds the forks firm using a small clear washer. As intermated above, the plate can be inserted by any of the four edges it has, but can only be slid in and out in one direction, indicated by the arrow on its matching counterpart. A satisfying snapping sound indicates that the plate is secure in the bracket.
3. F22 Quick Release Clip for Action Camera
The Release Clip is made to slide on and clip in and out of the mounting bracket which attaches to a flat surface. There are two mounting brackets (with two 3M sticky pads) supplied, so you can have the choice of two mounting positions at once.
The Release Clip is what slides in and out of the mount, while also securing a plate attached to a camera.
I felt that this accessory missed two easy wins. First it would have been ideal if the flat surface of the mounting bracket (which is attached via the sticky pad), were to double as an F38 bracket. It would increase its versatility and uses dramatically. Failing this it would have been ideal to have one flat mounting bracket and one slightly shaped or bent to easily attached to a helmet, for example.
4. F22 & F38 Quick Release Ball Head for Action Camera
The fourth and final part of the Falcam F22 Quick Release Series for Action Camera Kit is the most creative element of the collection. It sports a matte silver screw thread, that holds the GoPro style forks steady with a washer, in the same manner as mentioned earlier.
The forks are attached to the ball of what becomes a mini ball head. The ball head plate is then able to slide into an F22 bracket, clicking into place as do all the F22 plates. The base (ball head) which, holds the ‘ball’ is longer than the other standard F22 plates, for good reason which we shall cover in a moment. The Quick Release Ball Head’s increased size, however, means that it doesn’t slip as easily as the other F22 plates do, into the awaiting bracket. It takes a little persuasion and needs to be inserted in the opposite direction than the arrow (mentioned previously) indicates.
The reason for this slightly less than ideal marriage, is because the Quick Release Ball Head uses its width to enable it to be secured in the F38 system. The advantage this creates, is that the Quick Release Ball Head can be mounted on the Falcam F38 Quick Release Backpack Strap Clip, and the attached camera can then be positioned at any angle to offer a POV recording position. The accessory can also be secured to any F38 bracket, including of course, the Ulanzi Coman Zero F38 Travel Tripod.
Not only can the ball head be moved to a 90 degree position, complimenting the Backpack Strap Clip, it can also be turned, so as to point to either side, or straight down. If you were to pair it with the F22 Quick Release Clip you would be able to mount your camera in any direction you choose. Changing it whenever you like to whichever direction you prefer. Fortunately the ball head is very stiff, so it easily holds the camera in place. I hope it doesn’t loosen over time, and remains stiff due to the engineering design of the unit and not just its newness.
At $60.60 the Falcam F22 Quick Release Series For Action Camera Kit is a very complimentary and helpful quick release solution for the avid action camera user. It’s well made, looks good, works well together and offers some creative solutions, which I’m sure many people will benefit from. You can purchase it here.
Thanks Ulanzi for sending this to me to review.