Sirui Tripod Questions

I'm about to pull the trigger on a Sirui tripod legs. Not sure which one yet, but I'm leaning toward the M-3204X. There's just a few hang-ups I have and it's mainly about the size and weight. I'm finicky about packing my gear, and essentially if I can't fit it all in or to a hiking daybag, then I'm carrying too much. In other words, traveling light is very important to me.

I've considered the T-2205X (5 sections) and the N-2204X (4 sections). Both of which are a little smaller and lighter. Stability is a concern, and that's the primary reason I'm looking at these expensive (to me) sets of legs. The T series looks nice, light, and compact, but I'm concerned about the stability of a 5 section set of legs. The N series fits squarely in the middle, but considering size, weight, and cost, i'm worried i'd be trading stability for minimal weight/size savings. Anyone have any experience with these?

The other big thing I'm interested in is the ability to tear these legs down and rinse them out as a lot of my time will be spent on rocky/sandy beaches. I read somewhere that you can take gitzo legs apart and hose them down. Is this true of Sirui legs too?

Have you had hands on samples of the tripods you're choosing from or strictly looking at specifications on line or in a book?

The reason I ask this question is simple. Specifications for most tripods mean absolutely nothing when it comes to the one characteristic of a tripod that really means anything - rigidity. There is only one way to determine whether the rigidity of a given tripod design is suitable and that is to physically test it with your camera and the longest or heaviest lens you have. It's quite unfortunate, but there are NO standard tests for tripods that are used by the variety of tripod manufacturers. Thus, the numbers (such as maximum weight specs) that we see in tripod advertising really have no useful meaning at all.

Here on the forums, you will see all sorts of feedback about virtually every tripod made. You'll occasionally see some folks give raving reviews for tripods that are essentially bottom-of-the-barrel products primarily because they have not tested better quality equipment against theirs.

Thanks. Unfortunately not. My only choices around here to get my hands on camera equipment are Best Buy and one local camera shop that only sells lower end Manfrottos. I'll look around for reviews of the T series here in the forums.

The teardown thing is important because I have an almost unusable Manfrotto right now that is full of sand, and isn't easily taken apart... if at all.

I just checked the legs on my T-1205X and they are very easy to remove for cleaning if needed.

That is good news! How's the stability of your T series?

I use a m4/3s camera, so my experiences probably don't apply. I'm happy with it. It is not as stable as my older (heavier, larger, more expensive) Hakuba, but it works fine for me.

I don't know what you're shooting exactly, but I'm looking at about 3.5 lbs (1575g). Is this comparable to what you're shooting? I've seen reviews of people shooting a 5D Mk iii with 70-200 f/2.8 saying they're doing long exposures with the T series. It's very hard to gauge stability...

My camera and heaviest lens (100-300) are 2.1 lbs.

I've only occasionally used the tripod as a convenience really. I'm more likely to have the camera in my hand for fast moving subjects. I don't shoot ultra long exposures or composites, so I can't say that I've pushed the tripod's limits. Like you said, it is hard to gauge stability. I will say that the included tiny ball head is just OK. There is a little creep when I tighten the ball, so that could be better.

I have the T2204X, and it is stable with my heaviest combo (6D and 70-200/2.8), which must be about 3.5 kg all up.

I just brought the tripod back from a trekking holiday, and it peformed well, albeit with a smaller combo (600D plus 15-85). Most of the time, the tripod was in my day pack.

hiketheplanet wrote in post #16813580
Thanks. Unfortunately not. My only choices around here to get my hands on camera equipment are Best Buy and one local camera shop that only sells lower end Manfrottos. I'll look around for reviews of the T series here in the forums.

The teardown thing is important because I have an almost unusable Manfrotto right now that is full of sand, and isn't easily taken apart... if at all.

this sounds just like the town I live in

Well after much research and watching a bunch of reviews in German and Russian, I've pulled the trigger on the T-2204X and K-20X ball-head kit from thephotogadget.com for $368 shipped. Not a bad deal IMO (Why B&H/Adorama don't carry this model is beyond me...)

So in a couple of weeks maybe I'll post a little review after my tripod makes the long journey from China.

hiketheplanet wrote in post #16816587
Well after much research and watching a bunch of reviews in German and Russian, I've pulled the trigger on the T-2204X and K-20X ball-head kit from thephotogadget.com for $368 shipped. Not a bad deal IMO (Why B&H/Adorama don't carry this model is beyond me...)

So in a couple of weeks maybe I'll post a little review after my tripod makes the long journey from China.

I purchased my SiRui Upgraded M-3204X from the same place. I like it and the store was great too.

I ordered the Sirui T-2204-x and K-40X ball head. Took exactly one week from China to the Midwest, ordered it last Thursday at the end of the day, it arrived today. The http://thephotogadget.​com store used DHL for their free shipping. Good store to work with, answers emails fast, and provides tracking numbers. I'd order from them again.

hiketheplanet wrote in post #16816587
Well after much research and watching a bunch of reviews in German and Russian, I've pulled the trigger on the T-2204X and K-20X ball-head kit from thephotogadget.com for $368 shipped. Not a bad deal IMO (Why B&H/Adorama don't carry this model is beyond me...)

Enjoy your new tripod! It's not uncommon that a Chinese manufacturers' best models aren't sold in the US. It happens with Benro tripods too.

peter_n wrote in post #16843175
Enjoy your new tripod! It's not uncommon that a Chinese manufacturers' best models aren't sold in the US. It happens with Benro tripods too.

Which benro's were not sold in the us? I do know that for example the one you have and the one I have are both just old models and used to be sold here but are still being marketed overseas. Not saying you are wrong, just checking if i should have looked into models that are not offered here.