Sirui T-1025x anyone?

I have a Gitzo GT3541L and a Sunwayfoto DB-52 head which works for my needs (5D3 + some L lens for my 15-30 sec exposure shots). However, this setup is more than 6 lbs, plus camera+lens (about 4-10 lbs depending on lens), bag+ accessories - so it can get very heavy during travel.

When I went to B&H this Christmas, I accompanied by bro-in-law and we compared a few travel tripods and surprised about the Sirui T-1205x which basically weighs just over a pound! Add a head for about another pound - and the setup looks perfect for travel.

I wasn't in the mood for buying a new tripod system without reading any reviews but most of the peeps here either like Feisol (for the lower end CF) or Gitzo/RRS for high end. And pass for Manfrotto - been there, done that.

I've owned a Feisol before and wasn't thrilled and not looking to spend Gitzo money at this point. Any feedback on the Sirui T-1205x? TIA.

Dear 545iBMW,

Tripods – as we all know, always the proverbial trade-off of: weight, size, performance & cost!

SIRUI T-1205X – 5 section carbon fiber [folded: 13.4-15.75”, wt: 1.8lbs, load capacity: 22lbs]
I think you have a good eye and a good balanced choice for a general travel tripod (i.e. the balance between compactness & performance). A quality product with a good price point for a good value equation.

While the following link is to the smaller SIRUI T-025X, [folded: 11.8”, wt: 1.5lbs, load capacity: 13.2lbs]
see NAITO’s articulate & descriptive review entry #1 (in particular the salient last paragraph); also entry #7 & entry #8 in the link: https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1314014.

In my experience I find when you go below wt: of approx. 1.8 lbs and folded length of approximately 13”; any increased compactness or weight reduction, starts to show more noticeably in the form of potentially sacrificing vibration/performance (although a weight less than 1.8lbs can and does still yield a very satisfactory & quite conveniently compact travel tripod for use up to approx 70-200f2.8L IS mkII + 2xTCmkIII. Particularly if you use your camera bag as a ballast hung from the underneath center of the tripod).

However it’s obviously a personal choice about the tradeoffs. Others will have different opinions, some based on experience, others on hearsay or effective manufacturer brand marketing.
There are so many good tripod products & manufacturers to choose from.

Good luck and happy travelling…

Mary

I have the Sirui T-1205x. I have not had a chance to use it very much so can't really give you a good review. I did use it to hold a 5D3 and 300 2.8II (total weight of 7.25 pounds and it worked fine for that), but it was only raised one section on each leg--it was not fully extended.

I got it to replace a Sirui T-025 (predecessor to the T-025x), which is a wonderful size to pack but is not really stiff enough in my opinion. The T-1205x is much, much stiffer and is still a good size to pack for a trip. In fact, I can fit it in the top of my messenger style camera bag. I'm just not willing to take overseas trips with a huge and heavy tripod. The T-1205x was the best compromise for me between length, weight, and stiffness.

My experience is that 5 sections in a tripod leg is one section too many. I had a 5 leg section tripod for many years and now the most leg sections I will buy is 4. I use a 4 leg section Benro travel tripod that folds to 16.7" and a 4 leg section Gitzo systematic and both are stable and handle vibration well. The Benro weighs only 2.77 lbs and has a max leg diameter of 29mm and a min leg diameter of 18.5mm. I use a short center column which helps in the stability department.

Isnt the Sirui T-1025 tripod like very small.. not very tall. Look up a youtube video.