Sirui N-2204SK Carbon Fibre Tripod + K-20X Ball Head - My New Travel Tripod

To be honest, I thought I’ll be getting a Benro as there are many positive reviews on their product, plus I did played with some of their tripods sometime back and was quite impressed with their build quality. But just before I did, popped into a retail that sells Sirui stuff, just to have a look. I was also quite curious about their W series tripods which claims to be water and dust proof. Below are some of the deciding factors that eventually got me pull the trigger on the Sirui N-2204SK carbon fibre tripod plus a K-20X ball head.

Criteria

I was looking for something that is travel friendly enough, light weight, good stability and can handle most general photography work. A decent working height without the center column extended is also preferred. I pretty much passed on all those tripods that are classified as travel tripod; their legs are just too thin and most of the time you will have to extend the center column to reach a decent working height. All these does add to the possibility of instability in the real world shooting. Therefore, I am left with the “smaller” mid size tripod range.

A New Design

Actually, I only knew Sirui refreshed some of their line up when I stepped into the store. The newer design looks more sleek and matte black finish at the leg socket goes well with the carbon fibre legs. All 3 legs also come with it’s own rubber grip is a plus. The integrated monopod is also better designed; getting rid of the screw knob in the older N-X series. So now all 3 legs look exactly the same. The only way to identify the monopod leg is the monopod wording on leg socket.

Twist the rubber grip to unlock the integrated monopod

Initial Thoughts & Comparison

I am more concern with maximum height than minimum height, as most tripods can go pretty low. The N-2204SK is about 135 cm when all 4 sections of it’s legs are extended. (About 163 cm with center column extended; by the way, never a good idea to extend the center column all the way. If height is the main concern, get a taller one.) Although I would love it to be at least the 14-ish cm range but I guess there is a need for compromise when you want a more travel friendly option. Adding a ball head, it is still a fairly decent height.

The ability to fold the leg 180° is a must as it will help quite a bit during pack down when traveling. The N-2204SK folds down to just 49 cm.

Comparing it to the W series which I was quite interested in, specifically, the W-22204. The W-2204 is taller and only packs down (legs 180° folded up) to just a little longer. While the advertise water, dust proof feature maybe great. (It is a gasket at the end of the tube that prevents water and dust going into the inter tube) I figured not matter what, once you visited places like a beach, you’ll still have to take the tripod apart and clean them, so….

Build & Easy of Use

The tripod is quite a well build tripod with 10 layers of carbon fibre construction. Magnesium leg socket. Pretty sturdy when all the legs are extended. Weighs in at 1.7 kg on paper but it feels pretty light. A maximum load of 15 kg which is more than enough for me. The centre column has a stabilising hook for adding counterweight which I feel is a must. Just to add, the hook is spring loaded.

One thing I like about this tripod is the ease of use. Specifically, the folding locks or the semi-automatic leg angle selector. Once you pressed the selector mechanism, it will just pop open and all you have to do is to fold the leg all the way to slightly over 90° and the selector will automatically lock back down. You can then adjust the leg to your desire angle. This is much easier as compared to other tripod leg angle selectors where you either need to hold it down all the time while adjusting the leg angle or pull up the selector and push it back when your done.

The rubberised twist locks on the legs are grippy. With a 1/2 twist, all 4 section will drop smoothly via gravity. Invert the tripod and the legs will also fall back down smoothly.

Magnesium leg socket, Folding locks (Leg angle adjustment selector) & Bubble Level

Semi-automatic leg angle adjustment selector

Other features

Here are some other feature of this tripod that are somewhat less important in my overall decision making but still worth a mention.

The center column is actually made up of 2 parts. (Honestly, I don’t really like this split center column. It is a weak point.) You can unscrew the bottom part when you want to go low. The lowest it can go is about 17 cm. Factoring a head we are looking at about a additional 10 cm or so. And if that’s not enough, you can just reverse the center column and hang your camera up side down.

I believe Sirui intend for the integrated monopod assembly is to screw the monopod leg with the lower part of split center column before adding the 1/4 inch ball head base plate. But in this way, you have hold the monopod at the split center column portion instead of the rubberised leg portion. While unrecommended, you can still screw the 1/4 inch ball head base plate on the monopod leg directly to use the rubberised grip. It just look a bit funny with the monopod screw thread exposed. Anyway, enough of this integrated monopod thingy, it is a good to have but I really doubt I’ll ever use it.

Sirui intended monopod accembly (from the left, the monopod, follow by the lower part of the split center column then the 1/4 inch ball head base plate and the ball head itself.)

Unrecommended but the only way to use the rubber grip

Accessories

I must say the Chinese Manufacturers really spoil us in this department. It comes with it’s own padded carry bag with strap, a short strap for the integrated monopod, Allen Keys for DIY maintenance and metal spikes.

On the metal spikes, personally, I am also glad that they do away with the build in twist out spikes rubber feet which is common in a lot of the older models. I do prefer to manually change out the rubber feet to spikes only when needed. Simply to avoid any potential accidents that may occur with the build in twist out spikes.

Padded Carry Bag (There is also a bag sling)

Price

By now I am pretty much sold on this tripod and like all purchase, there is the price factor. There was a promo in the store for the N-2204SK + K-20X Ball Head at $399 SGD. The W-2204 is also at $399 SGD but without a ball head. So factoring a similar ball head, we are looking at another $150 or so. (Can’t remember recall the exact price of the ball head) So I guess the price made it even easier to decide. I would love to get the W-2204 but for a more travel friendly option, the N-2204SK meets all my needs.

K-20X Ball Head

So the promo save me the trouble of deciding which ball head to get as initially I was deciding between the K-20X or K-30X. (You can get other brand ball head if you want.) Sticking to the travel friendly criteria for this tripod setup. The K-20X is also the better choice anyway. It is smaller, lighter and can carry more than enough load capacity for my needs. The K-20X can take a maximum load 25 kg; weigh in at 0.43 kg. It also fits the N-2204SK base plate nicely while the K-30X just seems a bit over sized. Below are some things I like about the K-20X Ball Head and some that I don’t.

What I like

The ball head is smooth; well above average ball heads. Very well build and feels rock solid. It has separate panning, locking and friction control. Panning angle indicator. Additional safety lock to prevent Arca Swiss compatible plates from slipping off when at an angle or portrait mode. (if you accidentally loosen the plate lock without holding on to the camera)

Press the Red Safety Lock to retract the gold safety pin. Then slide the Arca Swiss Compatible pates off.

What I don’t like

The “screw like” thumb dial for friction control is hard to use. (They shouldn’t have “followed” the Arca Swiss design on this) I would prefer a separate knob for the friction control. I don’t really use bubble levels but one of the bubble level is transparent, not green. WTF?

Friction thumb dial (Grey dial) & a transparent bubble level

Lastly, the default TY-50X Arca Swiss Compatible plate. It does have a D-ring to “help” you screw the 1/4 inch screw to your camera but unlike the Manfrotto RC plates, there is just not enough torque to screw it tight to your camera’s base. You’ll still need a allen key to tighten the plate to your camera. But even so, like many Arca Swiss Compatible plates, the TY-50X also suffers from twisting issue. (If you twist your camera hard enough, it will twist side ways) The twisting issue is more prominent when I have my camera’s battery grip on. If I use the camera without the grip, the plate is a bit tighter and harder to twist. I’ll not go too detail into this as it can be another blog altogether. But a cheap solution is to add some DIY 3M rubber layer on the plate for extra grip; or get a better plate. (Either a better universal plate or a camera body custom plate)

Final Thoughts

Overall, I am very pleased with the purchase. The N-2204SK is well build, easy to use and has a nice design. Light weight but sturdy. Not to mention, it is also light on your wallet. A tripod worth considering if you are in the market for a light weight tripod. The K-20X ball head on the other hand is not bad. I like the ball head as it is silky smooth but the plate maybe an issue. I did replace the default plate with another universal plate. Lastly, they do come with 6 years warranty.