Back to the Basics - Sirui AM 254 Review

[@dh1_dh1]

Nice mention about the inner plastic shim sleeves and lack of o-rings. One thing I didn't see mentioned were the proprietary threads for the rubber/spike feet. They are not standard 3/8"-16 threads and cannot be replaced with ordinary aftermarket feet. If I had known these 3 points prior to my purchase, I would have continued my search.

[@WesPerry]

Whaaaaat I just assumed they were standard. Ugh

[@boristahmasian9604]

Thank you for the review Wes. I love your rating spreadsheets. I find them to be very accurate and useful. I do not have this tripod but the slightly bigger AM-284. I bought the extension center column with mine. The tripod is as solid as my much bigger studio CF tripod from Vanguard. I am totally sold on this tripod line and the company. I use mine in the field and hang my heavy camera backpack from it for additional stability without hesitation.

[@delibaba_1923]

Great detailed l explanation, thank you! Which one do you think is better for just photo Sirui AM 254 (+ A 10R) vs Ulanzi&Coman Zero F38 ? or would you recommend something different in this similar price range for my Nikon D750? Thanks!

[@WesPerry]

That depends a lot on your own personal needs and desires. What lens(es) do you usually mount on the D750? How important is packability and travel ability? For me it's the Ulanzi (though I prefer the Y version for Arca-Swiss), as sometimes I'll bring the tripod as carry-on, or hiking, and it's just so much easier that way. But if I was carrying a heavier camera and lens kit, then definitely the Sirui, as the Ulanzi really isn't made for hefty stuff.

[@delibaba_1923]

@@WesPerry Thanks for your quick response! I have 16-35mm & 24-120mm so bought heavy lenses.. And I'm using them both for landscapes on travels so need that compactness ...Sirui sounds sturdier but lack of center column is pretty annoying.

[@josephinewong5659]

I like how light this is and the price, but it's too short for interior shots, I read the ideal height for interior photography is 4-5ft tall. I'm just getting started, so don't want to spend too much, do you have any recs please?

[@Hayreddin]

By your description it sounds like what I'm looking for, solid for a good price thanks to the absence of extra features. Would you say it's sturdy enough for a 7d MkII with a Sigma 150-600c? I already have a Sirui head (A-10R).

[@WesPerry]

That’s a tough one. Depends if you’re doing photo or video. For video I would say no, but for photo no problem.

[@Hayreddin]

​@@WesPerry I very rarely shoot video so that's very reassuring to hear, thanks a lot for taking the time to reply, really appreciated.

[@bizpixvegas7651]

I own the AM-284 which is rated at 33 lbs. I think AM-254 is rated at 26 lbs. For my photography, I have used my A7RIV+L-bracket+Acratech ballhead+Tamron 150-500 (approx. 7 lbs.). I also hang my backpack which weighs another 10 lbs. from the hook at the bottom for extra sturdiness and stability. My tripod is as solid as my much heavier studio tripod. I am totally sold on the Sirui CF tripods. I am on year three of ownership and had zero issues in my many field trips.

[@Hayreddin]

@@bizpixvegas7651 Thank you for your reply, I did buy it and it holds up pretty well even when fully extended, good height for my needs as well

[@OliverReinhard]

«I already have some sand in this!» … with a build-quality rating of 8.5 …? 🫤

[@WesPerry]

Any “normal” tripod would have some sand in it after what I did with it.

[@OliverReinhard]

OK, thanks, Wes. But "normal" sounds more like a rating of 5.5 😮 (don’t get me wrong, I‘m subscribed because I like your videos, however, I often find your ratings very, very mild given that your scale is 1 to 10).

[@WesPerry]

You’re the only one. People regularly complain my ratings are too harsh 😂. I would consider anything below 5 to be just “bad”, or a failure. My ratings scale would be more akin to grading a paper. Some kids would get reamed out by their parents for an 85% on a math test 😏 And the amount of rubber grip used and aluminum holding this together is quite generous. I consider it quite a sturdy tripod with good tolerances. It’s just lacking two extra features I like to see that Very few tripods have. (O-rings and a more rugged internal slide/anti-rotate mechanism).

[@OliverReinhard]

Probably due to my cultural background. In Switzerland, 1 is the worst grade and 6 the best, in half "stops". 4 is considered "sufficient" (i.e. you pass) - but note how we have from 1 to 3.5 (6 stops) to say BAD, but from 4 to 6 (only 5 stops!) to say GOOD 🤣

[@WesPerry]

@OliverReinhard ah yes, that is very different! It does seem like a waste for 50% of the marks available in a grade to be all failing here haha