Siriu is just a cheap Chinese copy-brand. They are where Benro was a long time ago when they started as a copy-brand. I live a lot in Bangkok where I find Siriui tripods in every photo, computer and similar shops. It's the most common tripod there because it's very very cheap. The first Sirui that I used broke a leg after less than ten minutes use
Most of the Sirui tripods that you find in western photo shops are sold in Asia for 1/3 of the price you pay here. And there is a reason for that
I also find a lot of tripods looking exactly the same as Sirui tripods but selling under a another name in Asia. So either is Sirui selling cheap tripods under different names, or making copies of those tripods.
Sorry to hear about you experience with Sirui. Seems we are talking about different Sirui`s
There are few models and much expensive ones I feel comfortable to do as guy in video 1:10 . With 28mm leg profile N-2004 and N-2204 have done this several times to demonstrate ability to tolerate much higher loads than rated by manufacture.
As well FOTO MAGAZIN Quality Test find out something else http://www.sirui-photo.us/Sirui/Sirui-wins-FOTO-Magazine.html
Looking at the best spike system I have ever seen on tripods with Sirui models I as consumer don`t care if someone has done something similar before. Just someone has not done this so perfectly.
Oct 12, 2012 at 04:10 PM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
The test in your link is ridiculous Because they test so different tripods. For instance so have they an Explorer tripod from Gitzo. Everyone that have used one of those know that it's a very special tripod and not the normal kind of tripod. Then they test which one of those two that is most ease to operate, and convenience in set-up between them The Explorer don't have normal legs or abything else compared to the normal Gitzo tripods.
Both those brands that you refer to are well-known knock off/ copy brands.
The load rating is not about how much load the tripod "can tolerate" as you describe it. It's more about how much load it can tolerate and still being very stable. And i don't understand how you can be so impressed with the N-2004 and N-2204? just because of their 15 kg load rating that he put weight on. If you are into load ratings (I don't care much about those) then even a series 2 Gitzo Systematic have 18kg. A series 5 have 40 kg. And two dozen other tripods with better load rating and that are more stable than those two tripods. Even Benro, Induro or Manfrotto would be much better (IMO)
If you are happy with Sirui, good for you. Have you used them before ? But to be honest: the only reason people buy them is because of the low price (which is good) and not because they are more stable and better than all other brands. You should read the older thread in the Gear forum from the person that could not get his Sirui tripod repaired.
There is a reason Sirui owners always write: My tripods is as good as Gitzo or RRS tripods. You will never see any RRS or Gitzo owners writing: My tripod is as good as Sirui tripods
It looks like you are very into the leg tube size in mm. But remember that there are CF and CF. Not all 28mm CF tubes are equal strong. There are good quality and bad quality CF just like all other materials. So here is the different sizes you can buy with the different Gitzo tripods. All sizes from the thinnest in their series 0 tripods, up to the largest in their series 5 tripods.
16mm (5/8”)
20mm (3/4”)
24mm (7/8”)
28mm (1 1/8”)
32mm (1 1/4”)
37mm (1 1/2”)
41mm (1 5/8”)
You don`t get the point I try to say I respect you experience but please let me keep main
Actually I am not happy with Sirui I am equally happy/unhappy with Feisol CT-3442 (older, not rapid version) compared to some design aspects Sirui N-series have and Tournament missing Was just comparing some details. And yes, it is personal, some other user could hate what I love in this model. Have tested shortly Gitzo 3 series only to find out I do not need such stability considered weight I have to drag with me.
There often goes line between perfection and (reasonable) usability. Sometimes one design choice excludes another and basically we evaluate products in best case (leaving out brand loyalty, everyday promotion and advertising activities around us) by the user experience. And oh boy, this could be totally different for different users with their needs, personal skills, usage habits. With this link to test just like to refer that FOTO MAGAZIN testers (as unprofessional we could think they are as you pointed out with compared models choice) did not find too much distracting in specific model.
But anyway it is off topic, sorry
Sometimes just get wondered about myths that there are best possible item for everyone and everything and usually it gets connected with certain brand. There are so many changing information around us that the easiest way is to have first impression and ignore rest
JaanOs wrote:
You don`t get the point I try to say I respect you experience but please let me keep main
Actually I am not happy with Sirui I am equally happy/unhappy with Feisol CT-3442 (older, not rapid version) Have tested shortly Gitzo 3 series only to find out I do not need such stability considered weight I have to drag with me.
1. The new rapid versions are better than the old ones. (Feisol)
2. Gitzo tripods don't have a higher weight than Sirui if comparing tripods with similar stability. I would say they even have a little bit less weight for equal stability tripods. I own a Gitzo series 3 Systematic tripod. It can very easy take 2-3 times the load of the two Sirui tripods you wrote about. It's also taller than those tripods. And it's weight is about 1,7 kg. And this is a tripod for big tele lenses. Other Gitzo's weight a lot less. I own a couple of other Gitzo's that weight 1,1 and 1,2 kg.
carstenw wrote:
(...)I also use RRS clamps and brackets. I am not sure that the RRS pieces are the ones which are in-spec though...
That's a polite way of saying they are not. When compared to original Arca Swiss plates the RRS plates are bigger and you need a head allowing for some adjustment if switching between the different plates.
peter_n wrote:
The Slidefix QR system seems to be a bit of a failure, I don't really understand why Arca-Swiss released it. The regular A-S type of QR is so popular now that bringing out a new system seems foolhardy. But they go their own way and their ballheads are marvelous, I'd like to try one of their cameras some day though. A major issue for current A-S quick release systems is that the upper jaw of the Slidefix clamp is the "old" A-S spec, so camera plate stop screws won't catch in the clamp's relief groove; a major safety problem. (...)
I partly agree. When using Nex cameras I used an AS Monoball P0 head in Slidefix version. It certainly worked well and was small and neat. (Now I'm with an Olympus E-M5 camera with a Milich grip on it so I switched to a Monoball P0 head with the traditional AS clamp. I still have the P0 Slidefix head and can sell it for cheap if anyone is interested (including plates custom made for the Nex-5 and a universal plate.)
Bijltje wrote:
I use a Arca swiss monoball P0 with slidefix on a gitzo series 1 traveler tripod. With a M9.
I took that one over the RRS small ballheads because of the top panning. Just set your tripod quickly and lever your ballhead and your ready to go.
The "fix" ring to tighten the ballhead also works great. Just a simple twist and its locked.
The slidefix system is nice to use since its relative small and easy to set up.
Negative point is there are no other "brands" than Arca for the slidefix. So your only option is the relative expensive arca L bracket ect.
But u can also order the P0 with the classic arca plate QR. If you already have some classic plates I would do that and wouldn't buy into the slidefix system....Show more →
Agree, and agree.
Oct 13, 2012 at 05:53 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
Jonas B wrote:
That's a polite way of saying they are not. When compared to original Arca Swiss plates the RRS plates are bigger and you need a head allowing for some adjustment if switching between the different plates.
"" you need a head allowing for some adjustment if switching between the different plates""
I don't really understand this? What do you adjust on the head ? You put the plate in the clamp. And what head you have under the clamp doesn't matter.
I have Original Arca-Swiss plates, clamps. But I also have a lot of plates, clamps and brackets from RRS, Kirk, Wimberley & Markins. And they all fit perfect together.
But if you read what RRS say: They only guaranty perfect fit with their own and Wimberley plates. But that's only for the level clamps. (in real life they fit the others also) Screw clamps will fit all well-known brands
Lars Johnsson wrote:
"" you need a head allowing for some adjustment if switching between the different plates""
I don't really understand this? What do you adjust on the head ? You put the plate in the clamp. And what head you have under the clamp doesn't matter.
I have Original Arca-Swiss plates, clamps. But I also have a lot of plates, clamps and brackets from RRS, Kirk, Wimberley & Markins. And they all fit perfect together.
But if you read what RRS say: They only guaranty perfect fit with their own and Wimberley plates. But that's only for the level clamps. (in real life they fit the others also) Screw clamps will fit all well-known brands...Show more →
It should have been clamp, not head.
I can't explain why your plates all work flawlessly or are perfect copies of the original AC ones. My RRS plates are bigger and when switching between the original Arca Swiss and the RRS ones I need to adjust the clamp's head a little to make the different plates lock as tight.
It might be different tolerances over at RRS for different series of plates for all I can guess. I had some bad luck perhaps?
Lars, I'm sorry for sloppy writing. I'm also a bit surprised though you didn't figure it out, especially as you discuss the exact problem in your next paragraph.
Oct 13, 2012 at 08:51 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
Lars Johnsson wrote:
Exactly what clamps and plates do you own that are different, and need adjusting ? And do you use level or screw clamps?
I have, two pieces, Arca Swiss standard 38x38mm universal plates 802208 - Plaque rapide Classic carrée, Long. 38 mm x Larg. 38mm, I have an RRS plate called B6 for my Panasonic G1, I have, the Milich grip incl the long base and the L-part for my E-M5 and I have an AS Monoball P0 head called "ARCA-SWISS Monoball p0 avec monture rapide classic".
The RRS plate and the Milich grip with integrated plates are quite similar (no surprise as John says he made his plates by copying RRS plates) in size/profile. If I have used any of these plates and then use any of the AS plates mentioned I have to tighten the ARCA-SWISS Monoball p0 avec monture rapide classic clamp a little or the AS plates will slip a little. So, a lever clamp.
I guess that solves the mystery; RRS says, as you mention, their plates are compatible for screw clamps. In any case these plates are a bit different in size and/or profile and when Carsten mentioned he isn't sure it is the RRS pieces that are "in-spec" I think I agree with him. That is if we can agree that AS specifications are the right ones for AS compatible pieces.
If you use screw clamps only you'll probably not notice the differences? I won't ask you exactly what clamps and plates you own that are exactly the same...
Oct 13, 2012 at 09:43 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
Actually RRS say their level clamps are 100% compatible with Wimberley and their own plates. I don't think they say anything about their own plates, and what brands they will fit on.
And I have no idea who John is? or what kind of plates he does. But I'm only talking about well-known brands here.
The Monoball is also a rather special ballhead which Arca introduced with their new Arca standard for clamps. So (IMO) it's not really the best ballhead to compare with, when talking about Arca-Swiss standard. Most people including myself would think of the new different standard when talking about that head.
I have both level and screw clamps from many brands like I wrote before. I own these:
RRS BH-40 with original level clamp
RRS BH-55 with original level clamp
Arca-Swiss Z1 screw clamp
RRS MH-01 screw clamp
Markins Q3 screw clamp
Wimberley Head II screw clamp
I also have 9 lens plates, 2 L-brackets, 2 camera plares, 2 screw clamps Kirk (all of these from RRS, Wimberley, Arca, Markins & Kirk)
And I can mix all these in any configuration without any problems or adjustments.
Lars Johnsson wrote:
(...)
The Monoball is also a rather special ballhead which Arca introduced with their new Arca standard for clamps. So (IMO) it's not really the best ballhead to compare with, when talking about Arca-Swiss standard. Most people including myself would think of the new different standard when talking about that head.
There is something I don't understand here. When looking at what plates Arca Swiss sells for their different heads and clamps the plate I use (part 802208 - Plaque rapide Classic carrée, Long. 38 mm x Larg. 38mm) is the same one in all cases; it doesn't matter if you buy the Monoball, the classic Z or The Cube.
What are the differences in standard when talking about the Monoball then? Or did they (really?) change the standard for all their heads and the clamps they are shipped with?
Oct 13, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
I have never used or seen any Plaque rapide Classic carrée, Long. 38 mm x Larg. 38mm. But if you say that your plates and clamps don't have the same standard.Then there must be something different. And I don't have a clue what a Milich grip incl the long base and the L-part is. And the same goes for John's RRS copy plates. Because all my brands fit and have the same standard. But I only talk about well-known brand names with the original Arca standard
Oh, that "Plaque rapide..." is just a standard plate 38x38mm in size and the one I use for one of my pano heads. It is also just an example; there are several plates in common listed under all the heads I mentioned in my post above. It make me wonder about what you said a different standard for Monoball heads (and clamps then).
I didn't say my clamp and plates don't have the same standard. I said I have to re-adjust the clamp a little when switching from the original AS plates to the RRS or Milich ones, something I thought supported Carsten's post. Personally I believe the RRS and others make plates a tad different from the original Arca Swiss ones. That would explain what I experience and it explains the RRS disclaimer. What it doesn't explain is your experience where everything work perfectly. Maybe somebody else can jump in, maybe somebody really interested starts a AS compatibility thread.
But, we are way off topic since some time.
I can vote for the nice and small little p0 head with slidefix clamp for a small camera and small lenses. Arca Swiss make camera specific plates (for Nex-5/7 and Leica M, for example) for the system.
Lars Johnsson wrote:
I have never used or seen any Plaque rapide Classic carrée, Long. 38 mm x Larg. 38mm. But if you say that your plates and clamps don't have the same standard.Then there must be something different. And I don't have a clue what a Milich grip incl the long base and the L-part is. And the same goes for John's RRS copy plates. Because all my brands fit and have the same standard. But I only talk about well-known brand names with the original Arca standard
Do you have any quick-release clamps? They all fit together, but some combinations are loose, and some tight, with quick-release clamps. I went away from quick-release type clamps, partly for this reason.
Oct 13, 2012 at 06:42 PM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
I have two ballheads with level clamps. (quick-release)
And four other heads with screw clamps.
None are loose or extra tight. No one need adjusting when used with plates from another brand. RRS, Kirk, Markins, Arca-Swiss & Wimberley are the brands I use.
(there have been many threads about this in the Gear Forum)
Maybe there is some tolerance at work then. I was using an RRS quick-release clamp with I can't recall which bracket, maybe Kirk, and it was uncomfortable to close it.
Was just comparing some details. And yes, it is personal, some other user could hate what I love in this model. Have tested shortly Gitzo 3 series only to find out I do not need such stability considered weight I have to drag with me.