Anyone use a Sirui tripod?

simonkit

simonkit

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Looking for a "travel only" tripod for holidays when I don't want to be carrying around the heavy gear and came across the Sirui T-025X which seems a promising lightweight/compact option. I realise that it's compromised by being so lightweight but wondered if it would support a D800/Full frame> Appreciate any user feedback

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SIRUI-T-025X-Tripod-Ballhead-Carbon/dp/B00AZTCHK2

Cheers

Simon
 
Description says, "Max load capacity 6kg" should be fine although I wouldn't put a large telephoto on it.
 
sbowler579 said:
Description says, "Max load capacity 6kg" should be fine although I wouldn't put a large telephoto on it.
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Yes, I noticed the load capacity which looks very good, 2KG more than the new Manfrotto Befree alternative.. folds to 30cm which is great. Just wondering how sturdy it really is
 
simonkit said:
Looking at the specs the aluminium version seems just as lightweight and compact and also much cheaper, think I might just go with this one instead

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SIRUI-T-005X-Tripod-Ballhead-Aluminium/dp/B00AZTCHDE/ref=pd_sim_sbs_ph_1
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I have one of those (dropped my Slik sprint travel tripod into a river and it broke, so needed a replacement). It's sturdily built but I have only used it with a light dslr (a37 and prime lens) and with micro four thirds gear (for which it is ideal) - not sure about a D800 though! Bottom leg is very thin if you extend all 4 sections and the total height without extended centre column is quite low - both my cameras have flippy screens so not a problem, but without one you would be crouching down all the time. But it's reasonably lightweight (1kg) and folds up to a tiny size (30cm) which is great - I often take it when I am not sure if will need a tripod as it fits inside in my backpack. Note the X version has a centre column which cannot be lowered but can be removed whereas the similar (older?) T-005 without the X the centre column is raised and fixed so cannot be removed. I removed mine for more stability and it works fine without.

You could also look at the similar Mefoto Roadtrip tripod which also has a removable/movable centre column but it weighs quite a bit more than the Sirui t-005x (1.6kg vs 1kg) and does not fold down as small (39cm folded size vs 30cm for the Sirui). It is also rated to hold more weight though (8kg) and also converts into a monopod. Never having used one I am not sure how it compares to the Sirui but the heavier weight and higher load rating suggest it might be better for a D800 and lens? Eg: this review says it was fine with a 5D III and 70-210 f2.8 lens. Another review here says the bigger Globetrotter model is best for bigger dsrls and lenses though.

If you want to know anything else about the Sirui T-005X ask away - I also got the blue one by the way as for some reason it's £30 cheaper. They come in a few funky colours though (black, red, blue - the Mefoto ones also come in lime green, orange and purple). :)

Odd how all these tripods (Sirui, Mefoto, Fotopro and others) all look almost identical, yet are made by separate companies?
 
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No experience w/ Sirui, but I would recommend a max load rating at least 2x what you might put on it. 3-4x is better if you are doing demanding stuff (high mag macro/ very long FL)
 
I wouldn't recommend the aluminum version due to your requirements
 
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Thanks everyone for the info, very helpful. I'm probably asking a bit too much of the "mini" tripods with my D800. I already have the excellent carbon fibre Benro C2692T (travel angel 2) which I use for hiking which is pretty much the equivalent of the Mefoto Roadtrip but I still find it too bulky when on holiday so the Sirui looked the ideal option. The aluminium one doesn't have the ideal weight capacity as you mention so I'll forget about that one, the CF model might still be an option though at 6KG.. the BEFREE looks a possibility too

Simon
 
Yes, Mefoto is apparently a Benro spin-off company so you more or less already have a carbon fibre version of the roadtrip. Another one to look at might be the Velbon Ultra Rexi L Travel Tripod (Folded Size: 36cm Tripod Weight: 1.30kg Maximum Loading Weight: 5kg Recommended Loading Weight: 4kg) which according to this reviewer "was very comfortable with my Nikon D800 plus 70-200mm lens, weighing around 2.4kg in total, attached". More reviews at Wex and Ephotozine and a video review here. It's much taller than the Sirui T-1005X (153cm vs 112cm) but weight (1.3 kg vs 1kg) and folded size (36cm vs 34cm) are only slightly more.

Oddly on the Sirui website they give the maximum load of the T-1005X as 10kg compared to the 6kg of the carbon fibre model (T-025X) which sounds a bit optimistic! The 4kg quoted on your amazon link above sounds more realistic to me..?
 
Oddly on the Sirui website they give the maximum load of the T-1005X as 10kg compared to the 6kg of the carbon fibre model (T-025X) which sounds a bit optimistic! The 4kg quoted on your amazon link above sounds more realistic to me..?
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Isn't that link stating the T-1204X can hold 10kg.
 
dcash29 said:
Isn't that link stating the T-1204X can hold 10kg.
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The chart at the bottom of this page shows a range of load ratings for the X range of Sirui tripods - from 10kg to 15kg depending on model. I think the 4kg /10kg numbers for the T-1005X are because the ball head it comes bundled with is only rated to 4kg.

Problem with any of these lightweight tripods that weigh 1kg or so is that by sticking a big dslr and lens on it (like a D800 and 70-210 for example) that is always going to be heavier than the tripod itself and therefore prone to be top heavy. Therefore they are probably better suited to mirrorless cameras or lighter dslrs and lenses. But you have used yours (albeit the carbon fibre version) with a D300 and 70-300 so maybe I am underestimating them. :) I have never had a carbon fibre tripod though - are they quite a lot steadier/ stronger? I am sure my T-1005X could hold more weight with a better ball head on it and the legs not fully extended as it's pretty solid like that, but I would be concerned about the top heavy nature of it, especially if the legs were fully extended (and even then without the centre column it would still only be around waist height).
 
I find CF tripods *less* sturdy than aluminum ones of equal size, particularly to torsional loads. CF is also more prone to environmental/structural damage IMO... it's basically dependent on a plastic resin after all.
IME, by the time you upsize the legs to get the same rigidity there is not a lot of weight savings. But if you don't need rigidity, just load capacity, then CF can save you a notable bit of weight. And CF has the advantage of being nicer to handle in the cold....
 
dcash29
Isn't that link stating the T-1204X can hold 10kg.

applemint - The chart at the bottom of this page shows a range of load ratings for the X range of Sirui tripods - from 10kg to 15kg depending on model. I think the 4kg /10kg numbers for the T-1005X are because the ball head it comes bundled with is only rated to 4kg.
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The OP was looking at the T-005x or the T-025x not those as far as I'm aware.
 
dcash29 said:
dcash29

The OP was looking at the T-005x or the T-025x not those as far as I'm aware.
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Oops, yes, I was confusing the T-1005X with the T-005X, correct page is here (with max loads listed as 4kg for the 005 and 6kg for the 025) - although they have not updated it for the current x models the specs seems to be the same (except that the centre column is no longer fixed and can be removed). Too many similar tripods and model numbers. :)
 
HI Mark, Just didnt wish anyone getting mistaken.

You mentioned that with both the T-005 & T-025 the centre column can be removed, part will only be removed leaving a fixed stub where you remount the head.
This wasn't available on the T-005 when i purchased my T-025, also the pictures on the webpage don't support that thinking.

Dave
 
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Just following up this old thread... after much deliberation I've ordered the Sirui T-005x, worth a punt for £75 I think. It's only for use on holidays/travel so certainly won't replace my main tripod, be interesting to see how it supports the D800.. I'll report back

Simon
 
I just got my T-005x. If people are buying it for a D800, my little Olympus E-M5 should have no problems!
 
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