Ulanzi FM01 Fogger: Atmosphere on Any Shoot | A Review by Thivhu Mamaila

Add Instant Atmosphere to Any Shoot with the Ulanzi FM01 Fog Machine

By Conrad Knuist · Head of Marketing and Photography Specialist · 18+ years in photography

Where there is smoke, there is fire content. The Ulanzi FM01 FILMOG ACE Fogger is a 40W portable fog machine that fits in a camera bag, triggers from 10 metres away, and produces 36 different fog effects with adjustable intensity and speed. For South African photographers, videographers, and content creators who want to add cinematic depth and atmosphere to their work without lugging a full-size fog machine to every location, this is the tool that makes it practical.

Thivhusiwi Mamaila, co-founder and director of Johannesburg production house CakenTea, put the FM01 through its paces and called it the most fun piece of gear he didn't know he needed. In this post we break down what it does, what you need to know before your first shoot, and why fog belongs in your creative kit.

Turning any space into an instant smoke show. Perfect for music videos, photoshoots, and live performances.

In Thivhu Mamaila's Own Words

Why Atmosphere Is the Missing Element in Most Creative Shoots

Flat light and a clean background produce technically correct images. They rarely produce memorable ones. The difference between an image that looks like a product shot and one that looks like a still from a music video is often not the camera, the lens, or even the lighting. It's atmosphere. Fog, haze, and smoke scatter the light that passes through them, creating visible depth, softening hard edges, and giving flat scenes a sense of weight and dimension that no amount of post-processing can fully replicate.

For most photographers and videographers, adding that atmosphere on location has historically meant either renting a full-size fog machine that requires a power outlet and two people to operate, or relying on natural conditions you can't control. Neither is practical for run-and-gun content, studio setups, or small location shoots. The result is that atmospheric effects get cut from the plan before production starts.

The problem is not that fog is hard to create. It is that the tools to create it have been sized and priced for theatre and event production, not for a camera bag.

According to Wikipedia's article on aerial perspective, the scattering of light through atmospheric particles like haze, fog, or smoke creates the visual impression of depth and distance, a principle used across painting, photography, and cinema to add dimension to flat compositions. According to Wikipedia's article on fog machines, the use of artificial fog in film and theatre production dates back decades, with the technology evolving from large industrial units to compact consumer devices.

How the Ulanzi FM01 Brings Atmosphere to Any Shoot

Compact and portable. The FM01 is close to the size of a Coke can in Thivhu's words. It fits in a camera bag alongside the rest of your kit. There is no separate power supply, no wheels, no setup time beyond filling the tank and waiting 3 to 5 minutes on first use for the atomising chamber to soak. After that, it's on-demand fog at the press of a button.

Directional control. The three included attachments change what the fog does. The rigid tube fires fog straight up or to the side with precision. The flexible hose goes in any direction you point it. The sponge filter creates a low-lying dry-ice effect that sits on surfaces rather than rising. Each attachment clips on in seconds. You choose the effect before you roll, not after.

Remote triggering. The wireless remote works up to 10 metres away, which means you can fire the fog without leaving camera position or interrupting your talent. For solo creators shooting with a gimbal or on a tripod, this is the practical difference between fog that is in the shot at the right moment and fog you had to walk back to the machine to trigger.

Safe fog liquid. The FM01 uses vegetable glycerin-based liquid. The output is odour-free and produces no fine dust particles. Replacement fog juice is available at CameraStuff. Call us and we will sort you out.

According to Wikipedia's article on glycerol, vegetable glycerin (glycerol) is a non-toxic, odourless compound widely used in food and pharmaceutical applications, making it a safe and practical base for theatrical fog fluid. According to Wikipedia's article on fog machines, glycol and glycerin-based fluids are the industry standard for safe indoor fog effects, producing particles that dissipate cleanly without leaving residue.

Featured Product

Ulanzi FM01 FILMOG ACE Fogger

40W portable fog machine with 36 effects, adjustable intensity and speed, wireless remote (10m range), swappable 18650 batteries, and a 1/4-inch mount. Includes rigid tube, flexible hose, sponge filter, and 60ml of vegetable glycerin fog juice. Ideal for music videos, short films, Instagram content, and event atmospherics. Additional fog liquid available at CameraStuff.

Specifications sourced from the official Ulanzi FM01 product page.

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Conrad's Advice

For first-time use, allow 3 to 5 minutes for the cotton wool to soak thoroughly with the liquid in the atomising chamber. This avoids overheating warnings on that first run.

As Used by CakenTea

Thivhu Mamaila is co-founder and co-director of CakenTea, a Johannesburg-based creative production agency specialising in commercial video, content creation, and post-production. Ulanzi sent Thivhu the FM01 to review, and his assessment was based on hands-on testing rather than a staged unboxing. His channel, @thechocol8man, covers practical gear reviews for South African videographers and content creators.

What We Found: Fog in Practice

Our Results: What the Attachments Actually Do

The rigid tube is the most straightforward. Point it up and you get a column of fog rising cleanly into the frame, useful for music video atmospherics or backlit scenes where you want visible light rays. Turn it to the side and it fires horizontally, which works for ground-level effects when the camera is low.

The flexible hose gives you precise directional placement without repositioning the machine. You can run it across a table, wrap it around a prop, or angle it toward a subject from below. The sponge filter is the standout attachment for photography specifically. It slows the fog output and disperses it downward, creating the low-lying effect associated with dry ice. Thivhu demonstrated this live and the result is a thick layer sitting on the table surface rather than rising into the air. Useful for product shots, portrait setups, and atmospheric backgrounds.

Lessons Learned: Battery Life and Fan Noise

At full blast, the batteries last 15 to 20 minutes. This is not a limitation for most shooting scenarios. Fog effects are typically applied in short bursts rather than continuous output, so it does mean carrying extra 18650 batteries for longer shoots. Thivhu was direct about this in his review. The fan is audible when running, which rules out dialogue-heavy takes and close microphone setups. For B-roll, wide shots, and any scene where audio is captured separately or not at all, it is not a problem.

In Thivhu Mamaila's Own Words

In Their Own Words

Fog on Demand, in Your Camera Bag

The Ulanzi FM01 solves a specific problem: it makes atmospheric fog available to any creator who works on location, shoots solo, or doesn't have the budget or space for a full theatrical fog rig. At 40W with a wireless remote and three directional attachments, it covers the range of effects that most photography and video work actually needs. The battery life is honest and manageable. The fan noise is a known limitation that the right shooting scenario bypasses entirely.

For South African content creators, photographers, and videographers who want to add a layer of cinematic atmosphere to their work, the FM01 removes the reason not to. Keep extra fog juice and extra batteries in the bag alongside it. The Ulanzi FM01 is available at CameraStuff with free delivery on orders over R1,000 and a 60-day return policy. Browse the full Ulanzi range at CameraStuff for more practical accessories.

Conrad's Advice

Keep extra fog juice and batteries on hand for longer shoots. CameraStuff stocks the Ulanzi fog liquid separately. Give us a ring and we will sort you out.

Ulanzi FM01 vs Generic Portable Fog Machines

Not all portable fog machines are the same. The FM01 was designed for professional production use, and the differences show most clearly in the remote control system, spray duration, and operating modes. The table below compares the FM01 against typical competing products in the same size class.

Competitor data sourced from Ulanzi product comparison documentation.

Ulanzi FM01 Specifications

Key Features

• 40W fog output with 36 variations in intensity and speed
• Wireless remote with colour screen, 10-metre control range
• Swappable 18650 batteries with USB-C charging port
• Universal 1/4-inch screw mount for tripods and light stands
• Vegetable glycerin-based fog liquid: odour-free, no fine dust, safe for indoor use

As specified by the manufacturer, Ulanzi. See full details at the official Ulanzi FM01 product page.

About Ulanzi

Ulanzi is a camera accessories brand focused on practical, well-engineered add-ons for videographers and content creators. Their range covers cooling solutions, fog machines, cages, mounting systems, and lighting accessories designed for mirrorless and action cameras. For full specs and product details, visit Ulanzi's official website. CameraStuff is an authorised Ulanzi reseller in South Africa. Every Ulanzi product we stock is genuine, covered by a 1-year warranty, and supported by our in-house technical team.

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Written by Conrad Knuist

Head of Marketing and Photography Specialist at CameraStuff

Conrad Knuist is Head of Marketing and Photography Specialist at CameraStuff, South Africa's specialist camera and lighting retailer. With over 18 years of hands-on experience testing gear across portrait, event, and commercial photography, Conrad has personally handled hundreds of products, including everything from entry-level speedlights to professional studio systems. He is an authorised Godox specialist and works directly with South African photographers and videographers to match the right tools to their work. Every review and recommendation he publishes is based on real-world use, not spec sheets.

About Conrad Knuist