Are Sirui ballheads good quality?

[lightmeter]

I want to replace my Manfrotto 410 geared head with a ballhead. The tripod it's going on is not my main tripod. The Induro AT-214 with Induro BHD2 head and Induro AT-413 with Arca Z1 are my main tripods. This will be an "extra", so I don't want to spend alot on the ballhead. The one I'm thinking of getting is the Sirui G-20X. Is anyone familiar with this brand or model? The largest lens I have is the Nikon 300 f/4 EDIF-AF.

--
Sony A77ii 16-50 2.8, 55-300 4.5-5.6DT SAM, many Nikons digital and film and Pentax 645 man focus
Bill

 

[victorian squid]

I want to replace my Manfrotto 410 geared head with a ballhead. The tripod it's going on is not my main tripod. The Induro AT-214 with Induro BHD2 head and Induro AT-413 with Arca Z1 are my main tripods. This will be an "extra", so I don't want to spend alot on the ballhead. The one I'm thinking of getting is the Sirui G-20X. Is anyone familiar with this brand or model? The largest lens I have is the Nikon 300 f/4 EDIF-AF.

--
Sony A77ii 16-50 2.8, 55-300 4.5-5.6DT SAM, many Nikons digital and film and Pentax 645 man focus
Bill

I believe they are among the best available. Through the years I've used PhotoClam, Kirk, Benro, SunwayFoto and Really Right Stuff. I still own a Manfrotto 496RC. Got rid of the PhotoClam with my Gitzo (friend loves it).

I decided to try the Sirui ball heads after getting one of their tripods, which was recommended to me by a fellow Gitzo owner. I was floored by the quality, and unhappy with my current ball heads. So I bought the K-40X. Absolutely amazing. So, for a smaller travel ball head, I got the K-20X. It's of equal quality, and will hold pretty much anything. The only difference is you need to tighten it down - the 40 doesn't even know anything is on it. I can literally use it with just a fair amount of friction and it will hold without locking down.

The K-20X will hold my Sigma 70-200/2.8 OS and 6D with a flash, L bracket and even a TK-2 tank cage. Again, I just need to be sure to lock it down, and it's a bit more difficult to position large/heavy gear than the big one, which is certainly to be expected. The G has a lower limit on weight, but I'd assume it's close. http://www.sirui-photo.us/SiruiBallHeadModels.html#top2

While I'm not familiar with the G, I could certainly recommend the K. The G is of similar build quality, sans the soft-touch surfaces. It is as I recall all metal. It's also their older design, with a ball head lock and a friction knob rather than a single friction/lock knob which I prefer. I know some people like the 2 step type. You've got the same setup on your Induro, so you'd be used to it.

Traumflieger Magazine gave rave reviews of the Sirui ball heads, if your German is rusty then use a translator. Full disclosure: I did! This link is to the G-20X.

The Sirui Products I have now are the M-3204X tripod, K-40X and K-20X ball heads, and just got the P324X monopod for $130 on B&H's deal zone. Couldn't resist that one! The K ball heads come in a rather generic box, but with a nice neoprene bag and the mandatory bag of wrenches along with the inspection tag and warranty. I'd assume something similar for the G's.

I have a bit of buyers remorse, because I purchased a SunwayFoto monopod head instead of a Sirui. It's very nice - but there's just something about the way Sirui sticks things together that's a level above. The SunwayFoto (a brand I've liked) is like a really well executed piece out of a machine shop. It's all one block of metal, and smooth and nice. But in comparison, Sirui is like Star Trek. I can't "feel" the threads, things just move. I don't know how they do it, and that's what makes them compete with the very best out there. It has that same feeling of luxury that passes the blindfold test.

I was really thinking I needed to get off the Sirui kick, and I did. But if I were to do it over again, I'd rather save $45. The monopod rotates a lot better than I thought it would, so I really didn't need the panning base. And, the Sirui design looks nearly identical to the RRS design, which I can tolerate. Oh well!

 

[lightmeter]

Thanks for the advice. I prefer a separate ball head lock and tension knob rather than have them integrated. My Arca Z1 has them integrated, and I don't like that. I still have 2 days to decide on a ballhead. My GF is giving me a $75 B&H gift card for a late Valentine's Day gift. I won't get it until I see her Sunday.

 

[Craig Gillette]

I don't have a Sirui however they have been getting a lot of good discussion recently. There are some reviews here on heads and/or tripods which comment on the several brands. Personally if going for a Sirui, I'd look to the K series over the G series, they aren't that much more expensive.

 

[victorian squid]

Thanks for the advice. I prefer a separate ball head lock and tension knob rather than have them integrated. My Arca Z1 has them integrated, and I don't like that. I still have 2 days to decide on a ballhead. My GF is giving me a $75 B&H gift card for a late Valentine's Day gift. I won't get it until I see her Sunday.

--
Sony A77ii 16-50 2.8, 55-300 4.5-5.6DT SAM, many Nikons digital and film and Pentax 645 man focus
Bill

I think especially in smaller heads the 2 separate knobs would be desirable. The single knob just doesn't translate as well from the gigantic K-40X to the 20. It's fine with a body and a medium lens, but after that it's a bit too much for the single knob.

On the upside, you can always return it if you don't like it. I sure can't think of anything that would have the same sort of build for $105.

 

[madecov]

Just purchased ny second one

K20X has been on my benro Tripod and I love it. Just got the K40X for my 30+ year old SLIK Grand Master. It's a monster. This will be great for still photography

I really like them.

 

[Diablorini]

I have the Sirui G-10KX and 2 of the K-20X ballheads, the L-10 Tilt head and the P-324X Monopod, in my experience the Sirui equipment is superb value for money delivering a user experience that far exceeds their price point.

The G10-KX features the two steps, lock and tension on two separate knobs, the K series heads has the two steps combined in one knob, so lock is done by twisting the knob and tension can be adjusted by turning a small screw on the face of the locking knob:

http://experience90.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/friktionsschraube-sirui-k-30x.jpg

In my opinion you will not go wrong with a K series ballhead.

 

[john49brown]

YES

 

[Zapirian]

K10-x owner here. Absolutely amazed by the quality and smoothness of movement. I recently bought 190 manfrotto legs that came with the 496RC2 head and it so far behind the quality of the Sirui (that said the K series model I got is quite a bit more expensive than the Manfrotto). I would thoroughly recommend the Sirui ballheads. In fact the next tripod/monopod/anythingpod purchase I require Sirui will be my first stop!

 

[puttin]

I have the K-20X and G-20X, both are excellent quality. I had the K-40X but sold it since it was a lot more then I needed.

 

[Yxa]

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/8192473209/battle-of-the-titans-top-ball-heads-tested/7

 

[Who 1]

I recently purchased a K-30 ballhead and I really like it. It is beautifully made. I do some macro photography and needed a ball head that doesn't 'sag' as you lock it in place. Even a small amount of sagging can alter the composition in the viewfinder at high magnifications. The Sirui hardly moves at all during or after locking and I have a large telephoto macro lens that is 1.6Kg plus the weight of the camera. I thought about getting the K-40 but it is a bit of a jump in terms of weight and I just felt that the K-30 hit a sweet spot for weight and performance.

The Sirui's also come with the clamp and arca swiss compatible plate. They are an incredible bargain competing directly on performance with ball heads several times their price.

 

[Eurotrax]

I have the Sirui K-30X for over a month and love it. However there is a slight ergonomic flaw to it in my mind. The notch for portrait pictures is in the wrong location. it should be on the opposite side of the lock knob. That way when you put your camera to the left you can still have your shutter buttons on the top and then the lock knob is still ergonomically accessible on the right side. But where the notch is when shooting in portrait the lock knob will be in front of you.

The build quality of the ball head is amazing. And i've done many long term exposure pictures for up to 2 hours and have experienced virtually zero sag.

 

[8008]

I have a K30X

I Really like the clamp.

Panning is another story:

I sent it in for warranty due to the very rough panning movement, every time you tighten the panning lock it creates another divot and gets worse.

Dear Tad,

I received your K-30X ball head and have discussed your complaint with our Sirui rep.

He advised me that the Pan locking knob was not designed to be an adjustable tension control. It was designed to be locked, or ½ turn to unlock for smooth panning.

I’m returning your pan head to you via USPS on Monday. I will email you tracking number when it ships.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me.

Best regards,

Alan Hyman

Argraph Corp.

201-939-7722

I forwarded your concerns to our Sirui rep. and here is the explanation that I received from him.

“That the clicking he feels when slightly loosening the panning lock is not a problem.

The panning lock pushes against the base of the ball head, which appears to be a gear-like mechanism that always provides a flat surface for the locking knob screw to make contact with. This assures a solid hold and no slippage of the panning base.

If you slightly loosen the locking knob, you may feel the top of the "gear tooth" due to insufficient clearance.

If you turn the locking knob about 1/2 turn, there is enough clearance and the head pans smoothly.”

I took a few ball heads from stock and tested them, and they all function the same way as your does.

I don't know if this is normal for other ballheads, I do have a small Promaster ballhead that does the same thing but not as bad and I seem to be the only one who has a problem with it.

Tad

 

[gwelta]

i have the k-20x and i like it very much. I don'T have a lot of experience with ballhead. But this one is for me fantastic.

fred

 

[Chris De Schepper]

I am following this thread because I want to buy a new ballhead to put it on a Feisol

tournamentct-3442 rapid tripod. I have read the Traumflieger test as well. Currently I am in doubt between the Sirui K20x, the K30X and the Feisol CB-40D ballhead.

The Sirui and the the Feisol ballhead have splendid results on the Traumflieger test.

The Sirui scores higher for dampening (if that is the correct translation) and the Feisol holds a bit stronger. I had the Sirui in my hand and indeed it looks beautifully made.

I

 

[wazu]

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/8192473209/battle-of-the-titans-top-ball-heads-tested/7

So the first unit they received was garbage, then they had a flurry of emails and arranged a newer replacement. Noteably not stating whether they admitted a review was in progress.

QC from this and most other PRC manufacturers is a crap shoot. I stick with reliable brands which do cost more but save you the RMA grief. Like Wimberely, Arca-Swiss, RRS, Gitzo, Acratech, and even the reasonably priced. Novoflex. All these companies realize their long term reputation is worth more thn a fast buck.

 

[Mark Banas]

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/8192473209/battle-of-the-titans-top-ball-heads-tested/7

So the first unit they received was garbage, then they had a flurry of emails and arranged a newer replacement. Noteably not stating whether they admitted a review was in progress.

As the person who did the emailing and the reviewing (ahem), I can tell you I did not state a review was in progress. The reason I mentioned the QC trials was to highlight that this is a new brand and I had to deal directly with the head office in China. Dealing with Sirui was not a pain at all, and this was before they were distributed in North America through Argraph Corp. and sold by reputable dealers like B&H and Adorama.

Curiously, two other heads (from the US and Germany) also required a lot of back and forth with the manufacturer to correct problems and get replacements. I also received a Novoflex quick release from B&H that had been "pre-opened" and was a much older model (check the photos of the CB-5 to see the bubble level appear). Of course, B&H has among the best customer service in the business for everything they sell. You can let that inform your prejudices as you see fit...

 

[victorian squid]

I am following this thread because I want to buy a new ballhead to put it on a Feisol

tournamentct-3442 rapid tripod. I have read the Traumflieger test as well. Currently I am in doubt between the Sirui K20x, the K30X and the Feisol CB-40D ballhead.

The Sirui and the the Feisol ballhead have splendid results on the Traumflieger test.

The Sirui scores higher for dampening (if that is the correct translation) and the Feisol holds a bit stronger. I had the Sirui in my hand and indeed it looks beautifully made.

I

I don't think you could go wrong with either one really. Although I must say that the engineering and machining on the Sirui is absolutely incredible. It's been so long since I've handled a Feisol I can't properly compare them. I do remember the Feisol seeming like an old Markins, and I'll bet that they're quite comparable.

Between the K-20X and the K-30X, I'd recommend the 30. I have the K-20X and the K-40X. The 20 will hold almost anything I've got fairly comfortably, but it can strain a bit when actually moving and adjusting. My 2 heaviest lenses are Sigma 70-200/2.8 OS (3 lbs.) and Tamron 150-600 (7 lbs) and I just won't put the Tamron on it. If I had to own only one ball head, I'd go for the 30.

The difference between the Sirui and Feisol is that the K series Sirui use a single knob for lock and friction. This can be fantastic when the ball head isn't stressed in the least. For instance, I can have my Tamron on the 40, and have enough friction dialed in that I can move the camera around, but not have to lock it down once in position - even at angles.

The Feisol is more old-school in that it has independent knobs for friction and locking. A lot of people prefer this solution - and I could see especially in a smaller ball head this would be the way to go. So I think really this is your hardest decision - both brands should give you many years of excellent use.

 

[exRhodesian]

Hi,

have you ever considered a small gimbal head such as the Jobu Junior below on the right ?

Not only is it light to carry but also convenient for panning. My colleague recently got the Junior for his Tamron 150-600mm and it is excellent. He use to have a ballhead but now much prefers his gimbal.

Thanks,

Adrian




Jobu Junior on the right