Sirui or Gitzo?

[NewbieInCS]

Indeed the centre column hooked can be used to weight down the tripod for better stability, nevertheless, no one would consider that as a forefront option. Photogs use that as a temporary solution eg. the wind really too strong. Physics will tell you that it is not the most feasible way because:
1. You are suppose to be closer to the CG in order to gain better stability i.e its better to have the centre closer to the ground than to legs up the tripod height and hang your bag, sandbags and other stuffs.

A traveler tripod is not meant for you to stand straight to shoot...that can only be accomplished by standard tripod or unless you are really short. A traveler tripod can only be feasible if you do not extend the column up, closer to the ground and have a reasonable amount of camera load.

Seriously, the gitzo 1541T, t2205x and t1205x are not really that different in weight when I tried at the shop. If you are going to get into issue with wind, I would think the gitzo will have problem before the t2205x because it is lighter.

I am not so sure about where the c.g. should be for tripod, but I do know that the lower the c.g., the lower the chance of the whole thing flipping over. When you have a lump of mass down there, the c.g. is really shifted much lower.

I can shoot at near eye level with my t2204x without the center column. I am 1.7m. A little shorter than average I would think, but not really super short.

 

[brownie01]

Indeed the centre column hooked can be used to weight down the tripod for better stability, nevertheless, no one would consider that as a forefront option. Photogs use that as a temporary solution eg. the wind really too strong. Physics will tell you that it is not the most feasible way because:
1. You are suppose to be closer to the CG in order to gain better stability i.e its better to have the centre closer to the ground than to legs up the tripod height and hang your bag, sandbags and other stuffs.

A traveler tripod is not meant for you to stand straight to shoot...that can only be accomplished by standard tripod or unless you are really short. A traveler tripod can only be feasible if you do not extend the column up, closer to the ground and have a reasonable amount of camera load.

2. The original weight on the legs, body is better than you stress down the centre column area whereby your 3 legs will be struggling to close in order to take the extra weight. Not forgetting that your tripod recommended weight load is the weight that is placed on top of tripod where its the most stable and not at the bottom. If the load is at the top, your tripod legs are extending out to support it like what it does normally. If your load is at the bottom, your tripod legs are closing in to support. If you have a tripod that can take 10kg, its at the top, not at the bottom.

QUOTE]

:dunno::dunno:

 

[VainKid]

Indeed the centre column hooked can be used to weight down the tripod for better stability, nevertheless, no one would consider that as a forefront option. Photogs use that as a temporary solution eg. the wind really too strong. Physics will tell you that it is not the most feasible way because:
1. You are suppose to be closer to the CG in order to gain better stability i.e its better to have the centre closer to the ground than to legs up the tripod height and hang your bag, sandbags and other stuffs.

A traveler tripod is not meant for you to stand straight to shoot...that can only be accomplished by standard tripod or unless you are really short. A traveler tripod can only be feasible if you do not extend the column up, closer to the ground and have a reasonable amount of camera load.

2. The original weight on the legs, body is better than you stress down the centre column area whereby your 3 legs will be struggling to close in order to take the extra weight. Not forgetting that your tripod recommended weight load is the weight that is placed on top of tripod where its the most stable and not at the bottom. If the load is at the top, your tripod legs are extending out to support it like what it does normally. If your load is at the bottom, your tripod legs are closing in to support. If you have a tripod that can take 10kg, its at the top, not at the bottom.

QUOTE]

:dunno::dunno:

Agree nice info thanks

 

[egnaro]

I was just like you...

However I got myself Sirui T1205X, Light enough for me... Gitzo Traveller is really nice to have if you have extra money to spend on.

BTW when I have my 1st-3rd Tripod, Manfrotto 190xProB, Vangaurd Alta Pro 4 section CF then Gitzo Explorer, I find my Markins M10 is so light...

Now I find my Markins M10 is so heavy on Sirui Traveler tripod.

 

[opzjon]

Im using a Sirui N2205+G20. Satisfied!

 

[Odyssey-Boy]

Unless u are a very vain and hao lain person who kinda show off when talking to people -- Go for the Gitzo..

Else since you are not using it often, for night landscape.. and be normal.. go for the Sirui..

Im using the Sirui T-2204X and G20... Very shiok !! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[daredevil123]

Indeed the centre column hooked can be used to weight down the tripod for better stability, nevertheless, no one would consider that as a forefront option. Photogs use that as a temporary solution eg. the wind really too strong. Physics will tell you that it is not the most feasible way because:
1. You are suppose to be closer to the CG in order to gain better stability i.e its better to have the centre closer to the ground than to legs up the tripod height and hang your bag, sandbags and other stuffs.

A traveler tripod is not meant for you to stand straight to shoot...that can only be accomplished by standard tripod or unless you are really short. A traveler tripod can only be feasible if you do not extend the column up, closer to the ground and have a reasonable amount of camera load.

2. The original weight on the legs, body is better than you stress down the centre column area whereby your 3 legs will be struggling to close in order to take the extra weight. Not forgetting that your tripod recommended weight load is the weight that is placed on top of tripod where its the most stable and not at the bottom. If the load is at the top, your tripod legs are extending out to support it like what it does normally. If your load is at the bottom, your tripod legs are closing in to support. If you have a tripod that can take 10kg, its at the top, not at the bottom.

Gitzo tripods have been consistently performing very near to what its stated as the weight recommendation. If it says 10kg, you are very sure that it will take at least 10kg or even a little more. My Gitzo traveler series 0, an old alum tripod recommended weight is 4kg IIRC, but I can consistently use exactly or sometime even more than the weight and I do not see any stress on the tripod throughout my decade old of use. Most of the older 2 and 3 series gitzo can even take a human weight easily. We tried that by putting a projector table on top and sit on it. The legs won't even move a little.

To be very fair I don't own a sirui so I can't really say are they value for money or not. If you ask me personally I will buy because of the cost vs the spec. I will buy a gitzo only if I think it will outlast my expectation of durability and usability.

Having said that, if you want justification for the $$$ u paying out, you have to try it and experience it yourself. Reputation and mention sake cannot help because the $$$ comes from you.

I hope that helps.

I'm not sure where you learnt your physics. But adding a weight to the center hook, effectively lowers the center of gravity. to a lower point while not sacrificing height of the camera.

If you know what you are doing, you will not stress the legs that much. Tripods can take a lot more abuse than people give them credit for. And most people buy tripods with weight ratings at least double the actual weight of the setup. So I don't see a problem there.

 

[wootsk]

Malsam, if I am not wrong, the centre hook is for adding stability by hanging the bag but with the bag touching the floor. It is not hanging the bag in midair and letting the tripod absorbing the weight of the whole bag. It helps dampen vibration.

In short, user still can use the hook with tripod at normal height after they adjusted the strap length for sling bag carrier.

 

[pchmj]

I don't see how adding weight in the center column stress the legs, it's just like putting on a heavier camera setup, weight distributed from column to the legs.

Unless your bag weighs 10kg and hanging freely in the air...

 

[ikilledversace]

take a look at jack's benro thread. he can hang himself dangling on the tripod and he is like 60kg or more? :bsmilie::bsmilie::bsmilie: no point debating about wind and hanging bag cos i dont think traveller series are meant to be used in such conditions. i would bring traveller tripod to a family holiday in a city but if i were to be shooting grand canyon i would bring a heavy duty reliable tripod as these opportunities dont come often.

end of story both gitzo and sirui are very good tripods so just buy whichever that makes u happier.

 

[peterpan]

I rarely use tripod i vote Sirui.
Guys which model should i get for macro under sirui

 

[NewbieInCS]

I rarely use tripod i vote Sirui.
Guys which model should i get for macro under sirui

Get tx series, something like T1004x or T1204X. They allow you to open the tripod legs at wider angle, so the tripod can go lower.

If you don't mind the weight, a manfrotto or vanguard with the adjustable center column might actually be better for macro.

 

[jimmygoo]

2. The original weight on the legs, body is better than you stress down the centre column area whereby your 3 legs will be struggling to close in order to take the extra weight. Not forgetting that your tripod recommended weight load is the weight that is placed on top of tripod where its the most stable and not at the bottom. If the load is at the top, your tripod legs are extending out to support it like what it does normally. If your load is at the bottom, your tripod legs are closing in to support. If you have a tripod that can take 10kg, its at the top, not at the bottom.

I'm not so sure about this.
In engineering terms, it doesn't matter if you put the weight on the top or hang from the centre column. The same force will act upon the joint where the tripod legs are connected.
So the forces acting on the tripod legs will be identical in both cases. Think of the setup as a very basic 3D structure. All the three tripod legs are jointed to a ring that houses the centre column. This joint is fixed by bolt and nuts, which makes it behave like a ball joint where there is no moment at all. so if the weight is pressing down on the ring, it doesn't make a difference whether it is from the top or bottom. The method of resolving the forces are the same.
By the way, I work in the civil engineering field.

 

[ziggy]

I just bought a Sirui T1204 last week. As a long time Gitzo user, I must say the Sirui is a joy to use. Light weight yet can hold a 300mm f4 comfortably, small when folded thus more portable, the legs lock work better than my G1277 Gitzo and definitely much cheaper. The Gitzo still feels a little more stable with long lenses but it looks like I will be using the Sirui 90% of the time. Great value.

 

[tanchankai]

The Sirui TX series is meant as the traveller's series, right? What about the M and N series? Both of these two series offer a monopod option and I can't find any real difference between the two series.

 

[ManWearPants]

I think you all think too much about the hanging bag. The only reason why should not leave bag suspended in mid-air is that it will have a pendulum effect that will affect the stability of the tripod.

Anyway, I am using the Sirui. Relatively cheaper and so far so good. However, I feel the finishing of the Gitzo to be more superior. But a tripod is a tripod. As long as it serves the purpose of supporting your setup, it is good enough. The only reason I am getting a Sirui is I wanted a small and light traveller tripod. If I am looking for a bigger stable setup, I probably would not consider these brands as there should be cheaper options around.

 

[Photo Badger]

go for the gitzo. it has better durability IMO

 

[hotchoco1ate]

Thanks ppl!

My issue here is whether there's a need to get a gitzo when sirui is comparable..

You answered your own question.

 

[woeilee]

GO for Gitzo.
Sirui is good, but you are tempted by Gitzo. So before long, if you bought Sirui, you will sell it away for Gitzo.

 

[betta01]

"I don't usually use a tripod as I'm a lazy person to bring it out but I love to take night shots. My gear of Canon 50D and 50mm f1.2 is already heavy for me and so I'm looking for a lighter weight tripod."

Like you I dun heavily use a tripod, so no point spending too much on it.
I m now using a Sirui and Sirui ballhead, its cheaper, reliable, lighter:sweat: and comes with a nice tripod bag too.:thumbsup: