I'll admit it now, I've never really seen the usefulness of monopods. Granted, I am not a touchline sports photographer or an on-the-go filmmaker, but hey.
Now a tripod, yes I regularly use one, especially for landscape photography.
So as I commenced my review of the Sirui P-204S monopod I had to lay aside any preconceived notions and judgements.
Skip forwards to me finishing my review and I wonder if all monopods are this good. I think not, having had enough discussions with other photographers that confirm to me this is a brilliant monopod.
So what is so good about the Sirui P-204S monopod? I am going to list what I think are its key selling points and the one in bold is the feature that I believe to be exclusive to Sirui monopods.
- Superb build quality - it's hard wearing in all areas (and it looks good if that matters to you)
- Locks off easily and securely.
- Massive stabilising feet - at 170mm they are longer than most (maybe all) others meaning you can leave the monopod freestanding
- Detachable feet unit
- 3-in-1: Its a monopod with stabilising feet, a mini-tripod and a regular monopod all in one - the latter two can be configured simultaneously
- 360° panning function
- The tilt-angle limiter. It's brilliant, locking the monopod off at any angle up to 20°. Makes the mini-tripod useful in its own right
- Supplied in a hard wearing bag with a host of accessories
Downsides?
- It doesn't come with a tripod head like other similarly priced monopods (though you could argue the 360° panning and tilt-angle limiter eliminate the need for one)
- It doesn't have the best minimum folded away to maximum extension ratio
All in all, this is one heck of a monopod. By the way, it ain't just for photography - this would make a verstaile light stand, just saying.