Sirui Tripods and Ballheads

I have the Sirui T2205X and just ordered the K20x to replace an old Manfrotto 496C. Any impressions from anyone else comparing Sirui support gear vs. other companies? In my experience, the T2205X has performed MUCH better than an old aluminum Benro Travel Angel that I used to own but quickly sold. I'm surprised more people don't have Sirui gear as I know a couple of photogs who prefer Feisol. How do you guys like your Sirui gear?

Absolutely love Sirui. As long as they never change their quality I'll always stick with them.

Which tripods/tripod heads from them do you own and how do they compare to other brands that you've used? I've only tried Manfrotto, Benro and Gitzo, haven't compared to RRS yet.

I have a k20x on my benro c1682 tripod, and i love the head (Love the tripod as well) it is much better than the benro head it came with (benro heads are famously bad probably almost as bad as manfrotto heads).

Not every tripod manufacturer makes good ballheads and vice versa. Benro and Gitzo make good tripods but their ballheads are so-so for example. I've briefly used the Sirui K20-30-40X heads and they seem really good, but on the other hand I was less than impressed with the smaller Sirui tripods I saw. Maybe the larger Siruis are better but their small tripods were flimsy.

The Sirui heads were right beside the Photo Clam heads and the difference in quality was quite marked. The Sirui heads I used were beaten up but were still very smooth in operation with no apparent droop, so they're clearly durable. Whether they can deal with extreme conditions is another matter but based on my own brief experience they're good value for money.

I have the K30 head and it's great. No complaints.

I have yet to try a Sirui Tripod but I do have their P424 (4 series equivalent) mono pod. I cannot say that it is as good as a Gitzo as Gitzo don't make an equivalent! All the rest of my support is Gitzo and the Sirui compares well for quality and durability. It is not quite as good but probably better than mere mortals need. Sirui Carbon tubing is very good and nearly as stiff as Gitzo, the Sirui leg locks are superior in use due to their chunky design (great in cold weather) and they are dead easy to clean.

I also have the Sirui K40X ball head, were I to buy again I would get one of the smaller ones. This is no criticism of the head it is just that it is overkill! I wanted a rigid head that locked without creep - well I got it, but I didn't really need it to do this with 600/800mm lenses! The K..X series heads are very good and reasonably priced.

I upgraded from a Manfrotto 498 head (on Manfrotto AL legs) to a Sirui K30x head on Induro CF legs and am very happy with both. The build quality on the Sirui head is very good.

I tried a sirui 2204 carbon fiber...... and super impressed. Everything about it is quality.

While it's not as sturdy as my gitzo, but it's a ton smaller and lighter. It's so good that I've consider it an everyday tripod and travel tripod into one. The only thing that would concern me would be windy conditions, but even the gitzo would have troubles.

Love my Sirui T-025X
I am unlikely to stick a 1DX and 70-200 on it, although i am sure it would hold it fine (mirror slap may be an issue though, but fine for a remote camera)
i bought it as an ultra light travel tripod, for my Leica and Fuji - for that its perfect, i have taken a few photos with multiple second exposures, and it has been fine.

If Sirui built a big tripod, (6'tall with no centre column capable of properly supporting a 400/500/600 L IS) i would happily hand over the money for one to replace my Slik that i have been abusing and pushing outside of its intended use for years.

I have to admit that my feeling is that Siriu is the current price/performance, bang for your buck leader.

Everything of theirs I have handled was of very high quality, closely comparable to some of the more esoteric RRS etc, but at much lower prices.

There are cheaper Chinese products (Neewer, Sunway, Desmond) and there are more established companies with perhaps better quality (RRS, Wimberly, Kirk) .. but Sirui seems to have the best balance between cost and quality.

Agreed.

Echo63 wrote in post #17548462
Love my Sirui T-025X
I am unlikely to stick a 1DX and 70-200 on it, although i am sure it would hold it fine (mirror slap may be an issue though, but fine for a remote camera)
i bought it as an ultra light travel tripod, for my Leica and Fuji - for that its perfect, i have taken a few photos with multiple second exposures, and it has been fine.

If Sirui built a big tripod, (6'tall with no centre column capable of properly supporting a 400/500/600 L IS) i would happily hand over the money for one to replace my Slik that i have been abusing and pushing outside of its intended use for years.

Not quite 5 ft - only 5'8 and a bit but should do the job:

http://www.siruicanada​.com/tripods/r4203l.ht​m

I haven't used one personally but I have used their Tournament models and they are very good.

It is a pity you don't live in the UK as I have a 3 Series Gitzo up for sale. It does have a center column but quite happily supports my 800 F5.6 L IS with the column down. It also comes with a Markins MH-03 attachment which makes it into a sort of systematic and saves a little weight.

johnf3f wrote in post #17548833
Not quite 5 ft - only 5'8 and a bit but should do the job:

http://www.siruicanada​.com/tripods/r4203l.ht​m

I haven't used one personally but I have used their Tournament models and they are very good.

I hadnt seen that one in the range - will have to have a good look and read some reviews

Thanks !

Sorry I didn't write that post correctly! The Tournament models are Feisol tripods not Sirui - OOPS!
Feisol do make some larger Systematic tripods but they are not as tall as you specify.