Comments on: Sirui M-3204 Carbon Fiber tripod and Sirui PH-20 Carbon Fiber gimbal review

By: Tobias Hjorth

Tobias Hjorth — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 22:10:48 +0000

Then you know which one lens I’ve been doing
some nature photography with.
Either way I’m not sure I see your point – other than you would essentially agreed that this head is rated for lots more than it’s remotely capable of. Just like whatever tripod you and I are currently using. That’s my gripe.

By: Scott Murphy

Scott Murphy — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 20:47:47 +0000

Just what 35lb (15.7 kg) lens are you talking about? I know of NO lens that heavy except the Nikkor 2000mm f/11 Reflex Nikkor or that ridiculous Sigma zoom. Do you shoot nature photography with that lens? My D850 with battery grip, 600mm f/4 ED-IF AIS Nikkor, which by the way is a BEAST of a lens , Sunpak D3600U flash and MagMod modifier and gimbal head only weighs about 23 pounds total.

By: Noel

Noel — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 20:20:09 +0000

Well, I ordered the R3213x from the Sirui Optical company on Amazon, seemed genuine enough but 3 days after the delivery due date the tripod had not arrived, so I checked the shipping and it stated it had been delivered to my address in France. However when I clicked the link to track the shipment it had been delivered to somewhere in Berlin! I attempted to contact Sirui Optical but had no response from them at all. Eventually I decided to complain to Amazon who replied same day, they would refund my CC. So I suspect Sirui Optical may not be a genuine seller? Who knows, but they don’t answer . Therefore have no decided to go for an R4213x its a bit more money but they are despatched by Amazon so I think that should be fine.

best wishes

Noel

By: Noel

Noel — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 18:15:01 +0000

Hello again Tobias,

After a lot of consideration, I have finally decided the R3213x would provide me the best solution and ‘best fit’ to my photography as it offers a systematic mount with optional centre column. If I subsequently find my passion takes me towards much heavier lense than the Tamron 150-600 then I’m sure the 4213 or 5 series will be sufficient.

Your blog reviews have been extremely helpful in this decision but I don’t think I will get approval for a Zenelli CF gimbal from ‘finance’ !

Many thanks again, Noel

By: Tobias Hjorth

Tobias Hjorth — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 13:57:05 +0000

In reply to Noel. That seems like the go-to solution. Both for the tripod as well as the reply button

By: Noel

Noel — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 13:55:59 +0000

Incidentally, have discovered the price difference between 3203 & 4213 is not huge, so I may go for that one. It’s of similar size folded with slightly thicker sections starting at 36mm largest, it may be overkill but I’ll only have to do it once and still only weighs 2.2Kg (less ball head) Its also nice that the centre column can be obtained as optional extra.

Ive also found the ‘reply’ facility , did not see the green button on the right 😀

By: Noel

Noel — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 16:28:35 +0000

Thanks for response Tobias,
I did think of a monopod but the new tripod is going to be used for night time pics as well so I think the SR-3203 is probably my best option for now, although I may go for a mono pod at some future point, if I can justify it.
Thanks again, Noel

By: Tobias Hjorth

Tobias Hjorth — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 13:38:17 +0000

In reply to Noel.

Hi Noel

Thank you for the question.
It would take the smaller of the two, as you’d point out it’s not a huge load so why keep it as light as possible.
Have you thought of a monopod solution instead? Like the Gitzo GM4552 : https://www.tobiashjorth.com/gitzo-gm4552l-review-what-a-nice-leg-you-have-there/

By: Noel

Noel — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 20:06:42 +0000

Hi,

I was considering the Sirui head with SR-3203 carbon legs (without center column) to go with Nikon D750 and Tamron 150-600 G2 is this OK or would the R-4213 legs be a better choice? The lens weighs 1.95Kg and camera 0.84Kg so not a huge load.

Thanks for review very useful

By: Carter

Carter — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 14:37:47 +0000

I bought this head based a lot upon this review. I tried it with my Nikon 500mm F4 as well as my Sigma 800mm F5.6, and found it to be absolutely TERRIBLE when it came to vibration transmission. With nothing mounted on it just tap the horizontal QR mount plate with any lightweight metal object and it sounds exactly like a tuning fork! I could not get a sharp image with either lens. After returning it I went back to my old gimbal until I found the Nest NT-530H carbon fiber gimbal at about half the price of the Sirui PH-20. For the price I had to give it a try, and it was AMAZING! Operation was much smoother than the Sirui, no tuning-fork vibration in the mount, and tack sharp images even with the big Sigma 800mm mounted! It also features a really cool security pin lock system for the QR plate that assures you will never accidentally have your lens slide out of the mount should you forget to tighten the clamp (which only requires 1/2 turn from loose to tight and back). The Nest is rated at 25KG, and that is probably generous by any scale, but with 10KG on it I have a rock solid setup with no vibration at all, and still the “cool” factor of the carbon fiber and only a couple of ounces heavier than the Sirui.

By: Tobias Hjorth

Tobias Hjorth — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:23:01 +0000

In reply to Robert Zabukovec.

Hi Robert

Thank you for looking and commenting.
I do believe the Sirui M-3204 is just a tad too small considering the lens you use. I would definitely go for the bigger model or even better a version without the center column.
I’m not familiar with the Triopo DG-3 gimbal so I can’t comment on it but I suggest you to try it at first if possible.
Let me know how it goes 🙂

Tobias