ULTIMATE Monopod? Sirui P-325FS REVIEW

This review breaks down the features and functionality of the Sirui P-325FS monopod!
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** PURCHASING DETAILS **
If you're interested in picking up the Sirui P-325FS for yourself, you can use my exclusive discount link for 5% OFF:
bit.ly/3TZxxcH
If you're interested in picking up the Pixel RGB Pocket Light G3, you can pick it up using the link below:
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...
Sirui is also running a Black Friday campaign and asked if I could share a few details with all of you:
November 15 - 30
AM Tripod, Monopod (not AM-326M or AM-5V): 20% off
35/50/75/100 FF, ADP, Jupiter, MARS, S35: 10% off
4 APS-C Lenses: $50 off
Traveler tripod: 15% off
Lights: 20% off
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** TRANSCRIPT **
Kevin Raposo here with speedyphotographer.com, and today, we’re going to be reviewing the Sirui P-325FS monopod.
Let’s start by talking about the price.
The Sirui P-325FS will cost you $289 USD, and that does not include a monopod head. This review will be focusing specifically on the monopod, but for informational purposes, I will note that you can bundle the VA-5 head for $429 USD, or you can bundle the VA-10 head for $459 USD.
Regardless of which option you choose, this is unquestionably an expensive monopod. And there are a number of reasons for this, many of which I’m going to talk about throughout this video.
Moving on, let’s talk about the size and weight.
The Sirui P-325FS monopod is a five-section carbon fiber monopod, which weighs 2.58+ pounds.
When completely folded up, the monopod compresses down to 22.4” inches. When fully extended out, it can reach a maximum length of 55.1” inches.
Next up, let’s talk about the design.
For the sake of simplicity, I’m going to break down the design by working my way up from the bottom to the top of the monopod.
The first thing to note is that this monopod includes a single rubber foot base. And if you twist that foot base, you’ll see that a spike begins to protrude from the bottom. This makes it easy to transition from shooting indoors to shooting on harder, outdoor surfaces - like dirt or grass.
Immediately above the rubber foot base, we also have a collapsing tripod foot base.
This can be used to allow the monopod to stand alone, without any user support - which is perfect for shooting video with more versatility in tight spaces.
Next, let’s talk about the build quality.
And this section will be pretty brief - because almost everything about the Sirui P-325FS feels premium.
Quite honestly, I would expect nothing less from an expensive monopod like this.
It isn’t just the carbon fiber design, but also the latches and the locking mechanisms that feel very secure when they click into place. And as I mentioned earlier, the grip also has a very premium finish to it.
Overall, I feel comfortable mounting my expensive camera equipment on this thing and walking away - which isn’t smart, but it does reflect my feelings about the quality of construction.
This leads nicely into our final review section: let’s discuss stability.
The Sirui P-325FS is rated with a load capacity of 22+ pounds. And while I haven’t come anywhere near close to hitting, I can say in my experience that I find the monopod to be pretty stable.
You can see here that I mounted a Canon R6 with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens and a battery grip, and then I extended the monopod to maximum length. When I start lightly nudging the monopod, it remains pretty steady and doesn’t just topple over.
So, to conclude this review: would I recommend the Sirui P-325FS monopod?
I think you already know that the answer is yes - but only if you’re a specific type of camera user.
I will be the first to tell you that the Sirui P-325FS is overkill for beginners, and shorter than many content creators would prefer.
So if you’re interested in this monopod, you need to consider what you’re actually planning to shoot.
In my opinion, this monopod is best suited to a hybrid shooter - like me - who does both photo and video work. It is extremely versatile in a variety of different situations, and it can even replace my tripod in a number of situations.
But depending on your situation, you might not need the full functionality of this monopod - or you might actually want to consider a tripod instead.
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** CHAPTERS **
0:00 - Introduction
0:45 - Price
1:19 - Size & Weight
2:04 - Design
5:02 - Build Quality
5:30 - Stability
6:17 - My Recommendation
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** TAGS **
sirui, sirui p-325fs, sirui p-325fl, p-325fs, p-325fl, monopod, tripod

[@kevinraposo]

To join Speedy Photographer or watch my FREE training: www.speedyphotographer.com Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/kevinraposo instagram.com/speedyphotographer

[@albert290371]

An exemplary review, thank you.

[@kevinraposo]

glad you enjoyed it!

[@jennvangeem2847]

Really thoughtful take on this. Is there a monopod in a similar price range that you also liked ?

[@bigwinmedia5100]

I really love this monopod.... for the first hour. It snapped like a twig on me the very first time I held it extended sideways. Thankfully I didn't have anything attached. Not half as study as my old Sirui monopod. I had high hopes.

[@kevinraposo]

interesting. can't say that I've had the same experience

[@echoauxgen]

One use that I forgot about that I do off and on is what is called "Architectural" photography. Indoors of homes, buildings etc. Ever go to a town or city with old mansions that let you tour? Well it is very hard to set up tripods is many areas but this monopod is great for it, you can do Bracketing shots or even do the new Sony multi pixel shots all steady. This monopod will allow you to place it in a tight corner then use a off camera infrared shutter control on a 2 sec delay so no one will be in the room. Why? you may ask bracketing, for the out the windows to get the trees, flowers or even a night landscape!

[@kevinraposo]

Great point!

[@OwleyMedic]

I have the P-424FL version, I am having issues with the maintaining tension on the height adjustment, any suggestions on a fix?

[@Baskozaa]

Would you recommend this for 360 virtual tours for real estate, used with insta360 RS one for example? Is it easy to level or I have to crouch down to ball head every shot?

[@yagenybr4772]

Привет с Алтая.Прикольно.Удачи.

[@patrickgilmour1221]

would you say the foot base for this is longer than the ifootage cobra 3?

[@kevinraposo]

never looked at the Cobra 3

[@Parrothed5150]

So is this like a hybrid? How well can it also be used as a tripod?

[@kevinraposo]

not meant to be an unattended tripod, but can be good as a solution when you need to be mobile

[@nathanwood1506]

How does this compare to iFootage's Cobra 3 monopod?

[@kevinraposo]

no idea, haven't used it

[@taylorlimbeck6854]

I would check out the ifootage cobra. My P-325 is totally trashed after a few months of owning it. I’m shooting lightweight MFT stuff and one of the clips snapped in half today. Last month one of the base leg release buttons disappeared. I’ve had it out 3-4 times since I bought it. Not worth the $ imho

[@nathanwood1506]

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience, first hand use is always valuable information@@taylorlimbeck6854

[@taylorlimbeck6854]

I’ve had mine for about 3 months and it’s already falling apart. I think I’ve used it 3-4 times.

[@gaiger2007]

Ifootage monopod better than Sirui.