Sirui T2205x vs Benro C2680T

So I am in the market for a 'travel' tripod. Something that folds up compact and can fit in carry-on luggage. My current tripod is way too large for this function even though it's CF and relatively light, it's way too bulky and long. I use my current tripod for any local shooting I do, I just need something that's easy to get on an airplane with.

I currently have a 50D with a 18-135 lens as my primary setup. So weight should not be a big issue. I'm just wondering if there is any big difference between the two that I should be aware of or be considering. They 'seem' to be very similar except that the Sirui is 5-section and the Benro is 4-section. This alone makes me lean towards the Benro as I assume it would be sturdier? On the other hand the Sirui appears to be much shorter by a couple inches when folded up.

Any others in this price range ~$300 that I should consider? Gitzo is way out of my price range so please don't suggest it.

I was in the same dilema as you down to those exact tripods. In the end i knew i would just be reaching. I ended up choosing an Induro clt204 for 80.00 more than your budget.

If you must settle then benro is what i would go with. Peter has a great review on it and has made the benro a hit on this forum, good guy and knowledgeable too.

theague wrote in post #17919744
So I am in the market for a 'travel' tripod. Something that folds up compact and can fit in carry-on luggage. My current tripod is way too large for this function even though it's CF and relatively light, it's way too bulky and long. I use my current tripod for any local shooting I do, I just need something that's easy to get on an airplane with.

I currently have a 50D with a 18-135 lens as my primary setup. So weight should not be a big issue. I'm just wondering if there is any big difference between the two that I should be aware of or be considering. They 'seem' to be very similar except that the Sirui is 5-section and the Benro is 4-section. This alone makes me lean towards the Benro as I assume it would be sturdier? On the other hand the Sirui appears to be much shorter by a couple inches when folded up.

Any others in this price range ~$300 that I should consider? Gitzo is way out of my price range so please don't suggest it.

Get the sirui. I have the 2205x and it's rock solid for anything. Sold and moved up from a benro travel tripod which was terrible for my 5d3 and a small prime lens. Get the k20x as well since ballhead can be another weak link. I have an acratech gps on mine.

spooled180 wrote in post #17920460
I was in the same dilema as you down to those exact tripods. In the end i knew i would just be reaching. I ended up choosing an Induro clt204 for 80.00 more than your budget.

If you must settle then benro is what i would go with. Peter has a great review on it and has made the benro a hit on this forum, good guy and knowledgeable too.

Thanks for the suggestion of the Induro. Is the folded length of 21 inches accurate? I'm going to have to check out my carry-on bag's dimension lol I still haven't done that. I was leaning towards the Sirui just because of how small it folds down to.

idkdc wrote in post #17920492
Get the sirui. I have the 2205x and it's rock solid for anything. Sold and moved up from a benro travel tripod which was terrible for my 5d3 and a small prime lens. Get the k20x as well since ballhead can be another weak link. I have an acratech gps on mine.

I already have a Q3T Markins ballhead that I plan on using on this tripod. Do you have any complaints about the Sirui?

theague wrote in post #17920642
Thanks for the suggestion of the Induro. Is the folded length of 21 inches accurate? I'm going to have to check out my carry-on bag's dimension lol I still haven't done that. I was leaning towards the Sirui just because of how small it folds down to.

I already have a Q3T Markins ballhead that I plan on using on this tripod. Do you have any complaints about the Sirui?

My only complaint is that the 2205X has spiked feet that are not detachable (they retract). Otherwise, it's prob the best travel tripod that I can find short of RRS TVC34L that I'll buy after a 1DXII. The best measure in store/ in person of how stable a tripod that I've learned from several tripod manufacturers' CEO's at photography tradeshows is to twist the legs in person above the twist/clamp locks and see how much torsion there is. The Sirui does very well here, even better than a large aluminum video tripod we just ordered from Manfrotto.

From my experience comparing Benro to Sirui to Induro and other chinese tripod makers, Sirui was the closest to Gitzo. I haven't tried Feisol yet, although I have some landscape friends who swear by it.

In my experience 5 leg sections is one leg section too many - not good in the stability department. I've seen the smaller Sirui tripods and was not impressed, they seemed flimsy to me. The Sirui ballheads yes, especially the K20/30/40X series. I'm in my sixth year of using a Benro C2680T and it's been reliable and (at least so far) durable. However I think you can also do way better than the Benro ballheads, you should stay clear of them. Very, very few companies make both good heads and tripods.