Ulanzi 2229 18mm

The Ulanzi 2229 scores 77.6 out of 100 for macro, landing in the 100th percentile. That's the best close-up performance we've seen for this type of add-on lens. But the total score of 62 out of 100 and the travel score of 33.5 out of 100 mean this is a specialist tool, not a daily driver.

Let's talk about that macro score first because it's the reason this product exists. 77.6 out of 100 puts it in the 100th percentile. That's not a typo. In our database of similar add-on lenses, nothing beats this for close-up work. The 10X magnification is the star. You can fill the frame with the texture of a coin, the veins in a leaf, or the individual fibers in a piece of fabric. The German Schott low-dispersion glass and 30-layer nano-coating do real work here. Colors stay clean and glare is kept in check. The minimum focus distance of 18mm means you can get absurdly close to your subject.

The wide-angle side is more of a mixed bag. Converting 24mm to 18mm is a meaningful change, roughly a 25% wider field of view. For vlogging, that means less of your face filling the frame and more of the room behind you. The optical score of 49th percentile is about average. You'll see some softness at the edges and the 52mm filter thread limits your options. The aperture score of 68th percentile is decent, but this is an add-on lens. It doesn't change the ZV1's built-in aperture. The stabilization score of 36th percentile is a letdown. No optical stabilization here, and the ZV1's digital stabilization gets a bit wonky with the extra glass attached. Build quality sits at 54th percentile. The oxidized aluminum frame feels solid enough, but the glue-on adapter ring is a commitment. Once it's on, it's on.

The Ulanzi 2229 doesn't really compete with traditional lenses like the 7Artisans LITE Series AF35mm F1.8 or the Nikon NIKKOR AF-P DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR. Those are actual lenses with autofocus and optical stabilization. The Ulanzi is an add-on accessory for a specific camera. The more relevant comparison is the GoPro HB-Series AEWAL-001, another add-on lens. The GoPro scores better on versatility and stabilization, but it can't touch the Ulanzi's macro performance. The Sony NIKKOR YZ0308 and Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II are kit lenses that beat the Ulanzi on optical quality and autofocus, but they cost more and don't offer 10X macro. If you own a ZV1 or RX100 VII and want macro, nothing else in this price range comes close. If you want a general-purpose lens, look elsewhere.

At $50 USD, this is a cheap way to add serious macro capability to a $700 camera. The value proposition is simple: you're paying for the 10X macro lens and getting the 18mm wide-angle as a bonus. The EUR pricing tells an interesting story. Listings range from EUR 47 to EUR 60 across DE, ES, FR, and IT. That's a EUR 13 spread for the exact same product. If you're in Europe, shop around. The cheapest listing is nearly 22% less than the most expensive. For the macro performance alone, this is a steal. For the wide-angle side, it's a fair price. For anything else, you're better off saving your money.

The Ulanzi 2229, also sold as the WL-1 ZV1, is a 2-in-1 add-on lens for the Sony ZV1 and RX100 VII. It's a niche product that does one thing exceptionally well and a bunch of other things just okay. The headline number is the macro score: 77.6 out of 100, which lands it in the 100th percentile in our database. That's the absolute best macro performance we've seen for this type of accessory. The total score of 62 out of 100 tells the rest of the story. This isn't a lens that transforms your camera into a do-everything powerhouse. It's a specialist tool for close-up work and a modest wide-angle boost.

The wide-angle side converts the ZV1's built-in 24mm lens to an 18mm field of view. That's a real difference for vlogging or tight indoor shots. But the lens can't be used on its own. You have to stack it with the included macro lens, which adds bulk and complexity. The macro side delivers 10X magnification, which is wild for a $50 accessory. You'll see details your ZV1 was never meant to capture. Just don't expect this thing to fix the camera's other limitations. Travel performance scores a dismal 33.5 out of 100, the weakest area by far. This is a desk-drawer lens, not a backpack essential.

Skip this if you care about travel performance. The 33.5 out of 100 travel score is the weakest area by a wide margin. The glue-on adapter ring means you're committing to keeping this lens attached, which adds bulk to a camera designed for portability. If you shoot a lot of video, the lack of optical stabilization (36th percentile) will frustrate you. The ZV1's digital stabilization gets jittery with the extra glass. And if you're expecting a true wide-angle lens, the 18mm conversion is decent but not dramatic. The optical quality at 49th percentile means you'll see softness at the edges. This is a macro lens first and everything else second.

The Ulanzi 2229 is a one-trick pony, but it's a really good trick. The 100th percentile macro score is not something we hand out lightly. For $50, you get 10X magnification that would cost hundreds of dollars to replicate with a dedicated macro lens. The wide-angle conversion is a nice bonus, but it's not the main event. The travel score of 33.5 out of 100 is a real concern. This lens adds bulk and requires a glue-on adapter ring, which makes it awkward to carry around. If you're a ZV1 owner who wants to explore macro photography without breaking the bank, buy this. If you're looking for a versatile everyday lens, this isn't it.