Sirui ST-124 Carbon Fibre Tripod (+ ST-10X ball head): Review

[@MrBazReviews]

Amazon USA - amzn.to/3lPgHzt UK - amzn.to/3lPkkp3 If you find the reviews useful please consider supporting the channel via Patreon - www.patreon.com/mrbazreviews Or by using the affiliate links

[@bertpanning2201]

Thank you for your extraordinary good presentation. I could see details before I have to order a tripod. All relevant questions were answered. Great job!

[@MrBazReviews]

Appreciate that, I do try to show as much as I can

[@RPDCH1]

Very helpful...thanks...answers a lot of my questions looking for a travel tripod.

[@MrBazReviews]

I try to cover as much as I can with tripod reviews, glad you found it useful

[@rgp9734]

Very professional, informative, and helpful. Well done.

[@MrBazReviews]

Thanks I try to show as much as I can, and in detail

[@mikewilson9601]

I recently bought this tripod. It is a great piece of kit. I wanted a sturdy, light carbon fibre travel tripod. It ticks all the boxes. Absolute quality at an affordable price. My maximum load is a nikon D610 and 16-35 mm lens. Believe me that is a heavy combination. The tripod held it rock steady. It goes everywhere with me now.

[@MrBazReviews]

The finish and build is top tier no question, you can tell using it how smooth everything is and well machined. Just a few things I mentioned, because I try to find areas that might improve products. I believe they do have a short column as an add on purchase for this one.

[@BelTricky]

@@MrBazReviews they do 🤫😉

[@GameProgrammer79]

Really comprehensive review exactly what I was looking for. It seems to be a very good tripod for its intended use - light weight lens camera setup .. for larger lenses anything above 200 mm ex. 200-600mm would struggle with this tripod especially the center column would not be that stable and at 600mm a small vibration would show up in the pictures. After a long deliberation I have dropped buying this tripod in favor of a tiny Sirui AM-223 and later on may be a leofoto ls-365c .. but again that seems good on paper but I don't know how heavy and bulky it is. It seems quite popular with landscape cityscape photographers.

[@MrBazReviews]

I do have some issues with a few design areas, but I don't have any concerns with stability. This varies depending on the set up, column down, legs out wider - excellent stability. Even quite good fully extended. The AM-223 from what I see is entirely different, a super compact tripod. For me that would be fine for around the house or travel light. Too small for a general purpose one, but each to his own. Would make for a good second tripod, not sure the size will work for all as a main one. I'm not sure you'll see much difference with a ST-124 not extended v the AM-223 I have never used Leofoto, so can't say what they are like. Some do seem to like them

[@7inrain]

Very nice and detailed review with a lot of good shots. Thanks. It seems like a sturdy tripod but do you think it is sufficient for a Sirui PH-10 gimbal head with a Sony 200-600mm lens on it? The PH-10 is 1 kg, the lens is 2.2 kg and my camera is 0.7 kg. From the specs that should be enough but with the gimbal movements I'm a bit wary that this combination pushes it.

[@MrBazReviews]

I've not used the PH-10, but I went on their site and they have an option with it paired with the AM-284, which is slightly more beefy tripod (in terms of leg dimensions), but not by that much, so I think if you had it set up well (ie leg angles) it should work fine, it is pretty sturdy overall. I am working on another tripod review coming soon, which might be better suited to heavier loads, yet it is similar in size to this one. I don't really go with weight ratings, but you could also message Sirui and see what they say. The combined weight is not excessive for this model though

[@yorickoly]

Just received the ST-224, the bigger brother version of this. Noticed the feet with retractable spikes have quite the substantial play or wiggle in them. Would this affect the stability of the tripod?

[@MrBazReviews]

There is a bit of play but fully opened up not much or closed down (closing down shows spikes)

[@pauloamaral668]

Nice review! The best so far i see. I'm a landscape/nature amateur photograph and a use a Nikon D500 + 70-200mm lens, all about 2,800 kg. I like this tripod but i have some doubts about its stability with my set. It seems to me that is adequat to mirrorles cameras. Another issue has to do with height. I rarely use the center column to avoid trepid. I have 1.70, will it be that in a stable position the camera won't be too low? I agree with you about the lack of rubber in one leg as well as the issue of the lack of a shorter center column. Thanks.

[@MrBazReviews]

You won't have any problems with that weight, I've put 3KG and a bit more on it - without issue. The only thing that is more mirrorless about it, is the plate. As I say in the video, it's smaller and more compact. For an SLR I would get a bigger plate, for mounting a heavy lens directly I would also prefer a bigger plate - though they are not expensive. It's high enough for me, and probably for most without the column extended. Unless someone is super tall I think it's about ideal size/weight for travel and out and about. I believe they are coming out with a short column, they told me that a while back after I did the video.

[@BelTricky]

Nice detailled review. As I’m looking to replace a smaller Sirui 5C, this could so the job. It’s a bit taller and heavier yet more stable I think (gotta get me a trial version at my store). It should be fine for a mirrorless with a 70-200 f/2.8 (I recon it can even hold a 100-400mm) The only thing I miss from what I’ve seen is a quick lock of the plate system. Peak Design has managed to design it for Arcaswiss, so what’s holding back the others? Thx for the review 👍👍

[@MrBazReviews]

A quick lock is something many would like. The weight holding is fine, I'd prefer a larger plate for a bigger lens though

[@MusikPiratCH]

You can buy a short center column for the ST-124 and ST-125 separately! (I don't know whether Sirui offered this from the beginning or afterwards and some critics.) 😇 Funny that the 3 Legged Thing Billy 2.0 seems to be the even better choice than this excellent tripod (and you save even money). You could as well spend more with a solution by Novoflex which is very modular (and if money would play no role my prefered brand)! 🤔

[@MrBazReviews]

There was no short column when this was released, they added that later on. I'm not the only one who mentioned it, seemed an obvious oversight to me. I've not used any 3LT tripods, though that design does look interesting. The Ulanzi one I looked at recently is also another option, if you want a genuinely smaller/lighter tripod. This one is better suited for heavier loads I think, as is the 3LT, neither are quite as compact as the Ulanzi. Depends on what you are looking for in a tripod, always some compromises to be had.

[@MusikPiratCH]

@@MrBazReviews Well, the Ulanzi (as the more expensive Peak Design travel tripod) have one major fault: stability! Even some reviewers have noticed that the fixation of the center column of the Ulanzi is too loose (it wouldn't hold the camera when mounted upside down)! All in all too expensive and not to use in praxis! 🤔

[@MrBazReviews]

@@MusikPiratCH I only go on what I have used, the Ulanzi is not loose, not the column not on the sample I have. Both are a similar price, they are not cheap, yet far from super expensive either. Try really right stuff for expensive! Is it worth it, maybe to some. People seem to buy the Peak design, yet it's near double the price of these. Peak design tax? Maybe who knows Anyway, the Ulanzi is probably a better design v the PD tripod. The Sirui works best for heavier loads v the Ulanzi and PD, though it is not as compact. Down to what works best. I don't knock the Ulanzi because they did some different things in the design. It wasn't just a PD clone. I'd take both of these over the PD honestly

[@SuperSuperka]

This is one of the best tripod review I ever saw. Thank you so much! Looks like very good tripod untill retractible spikes I saw. This is the worst thing, making it useless for landscape. Collars around spikes prevents tripod to dig into the ground on gense grass, fallen leaves. I had this problem in one of my previous tripod.

[@MrBazReviews]

It depends how often you use the spikes, you do get some improvements with removable larger spikes. I looked at a few Sunwayfoto ones with larger bigger spikes you add on/screw in. This is decent enough for what's on offer, one of the better travel ones I have tried, head is also good but strangely has movement in the knobs.

[@SuperSuperka]

@@MrBazReviews It's not really matter of how big are the spikes, but it's just large collars the stops the tripod. Some tripods (Gitzo, Smallrig AP-02) has spikes with cups on it - fast and elegant.

[@MrBazReviews]

@@SuperSuperka Gitzo are in a different price league to be fair - it's a relatively compact travel tripod, no idea on smallrig never used them. I personally don't mind the built in spikes, but you can find something better if that's a priority.

[@aukisun]

Thanks! Can you tell what diameter top plate of center column is? )

[@MrBazReviews]

It's 5cm

[@nachojr99]

Hello! Is the plate arca-swiss compatible or is it proprietary?

[@MrBazReviews]

As shown it's arca style

[@AngelusHD]

@@MrBazReviews Does that mean it is compatible with a v3 peak design arca swiss plate?

[@MrBazReviews]

@@AngelusHD The v3 Peak design will fit

[@joyjoy534]

Have you tried removing the spikes?

[@MrBazReviews]

I have not, mostly because they don't get in the way if you are not using them

[@A_Fortunate_Traveler]

Interesting review... Got one for free as a promotion with the Lumix G9 (Belgium/The Netherlands)

[@MrBazReviews]

What do you think of it? I quite liked it, as ever there are always a few points to improve

[@A_Fortunate_Traveler]

@@MrBazReviews I have a few, mostly older thus heavier tripods, so yes, I am very impressed with this one and really don't have anything negative to say. I like the 'upside down' option to be closer to the ground though.

[@MrBazReviews]

@@A_Fortunate_Traveler They did add a new short column after I made the video (I assume others felt it was something useful too) store.sirui.com/products/st-z-short-center-column-for-st-124-st-125-tripod?variant=42665862103266 Would be nice to have it in the box as such, for doing low down shots it is something that is much quicker then trying to reverse the head. As you say it doesn't get that low down normally, similar to most tripods. As I do a lot of low angles, I have the Velbon boom arm

[@irajnaghash]

Sirui after sales service is Horrible. I have tripod and 3 different head. I have problem and need one part for tripod. I call Sirui 2 times they told me to sent them e-mail I did but no answer. Anyway tripod is not good for panorama. not that much stable. Pay more buy RRS is fantastic.

[@MrBazReviews]

I have sent them an email to see if someone can help, I will get back to you if I hear from them. Obviously I just make the reviews/videos, but will try to help. Who is RRS? Really right stuff?

[@MrBazReviews]

You need to mail [e-mail] I asked the company and they said they have no record or your email, so mail again

[@billz4795]

I have the W 2204 with third party spike/rubber feet - it's a Rock. Note that the feet supplied are NOT a standard 1/4 thread - but 10mm 1.0 fine!!!! ? Why I don't know. A real pain. I run it with a leveling base and Leofoto vh-30n. Weight of 5.5 to 6 lbs. Love it, and now looking for a very light weight travel - any thoughts.