Tripod Overview and Review of Sirui P-324S Monopod
Strong and Stable Tripods of All Shapes and Sizes
Sirui P-324SR Review: I have many tripods ranging from a small, Joby Gorillapod up to a heavy duty, super-stable video tripod which all have their own, unique uses depending on the job I am doing.
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The smaller mini-pods are great. Especially for sticking Go Pro cameras or small lighting accessories (like the Lume Cubes) in places where I can’t be. The larger tripods are good for stable video work and long time lapses.
However, I have always had situations where I needed something in between. I bought a relatively cheap, and basic Manfrotto monopod a few years ago but to be honest, I barely used it. It wasn’t that stable for video work but was "ok" for some stills photography work.
It was only during my research that I came across the Sirui range of monopods which had a feature that piqued my interest…three feet at the base.
Having the ease of use and lightweight design of a monopod coupled with the near-stability of a tripod appealed. So, I researched some more and went for the Sirui P-324SR.
Sirui P-324SR
This is the mid to high-end monopod in the range as it is made of carbon fibre. With a tripod head attached, it rises to around 6 and a half feet. Aluminium versions are available at a slightly cheaper cost but they are a bit heavier. I opted to pay more for the comfort factor.
The P-324SR also has a twist-lock mechanism for extending the legs (which I prefer on monopods) rather that the clip-lock style. I find the twist lock a lot quieter for things like weddings.
Sirui P-324SR - Features
Using the Sirui P-324SR
I have used this monopod on a few jobs now and definitely feel it is one of my "better buys". It is easy to carry, super quick to set up/put down/extend etc and helps me create super stable footage or better stills in low light.
The fact that the base quickly turns into a table top tripod is a great bonus. The Sirui P-324SR feels incredibly well made. The base legs click into place with a solid "click" and the whole thing just oozes quality.
The diameter is thick enough to get a good grip and the feet are wide enough for me to let go of the whole unit, with camera on board, and let it stand*.
*Caveat: When the monopod is fully extended, obviously your kit is way more prone to toppling over from being nudged than it would be on a conventional tripod.
When the monopod is compressed to its lowest form, it is actually quite stable. I have left it there, with GH5 attached, and felt confident that it would be quite safe.
Video Head
I haven’t used the Sirui heads, video or stills, so I opted for a trusted, high quality Manfrotto video head: Manfrotto MVH502AH Pro Video Head.
For the price, this works very well and the fluid movements, along with adjustable tensions are super smooth. The counterbalance works well although I tend not to use this on a monopod. I have used it on my slider and the whole set up works well.
It is fairly large but "hollow" in design which makes it a bit lighter than similar heads. The handle is fairly short and doesn’t extend but does the job well enough for me to make nice, slow and smooth pan and tilts.
The locking mechanism is inside the main head and can be tricky to use if you have large fingers. To be honest though, you only use this to lock the head in place for transport as the controls for adjusting the tensions are on the outside.
My biggest gripe is the plate locking lever
This is situated too centrally for my liking. This means when I use a DSLR or mirrorless camera such as the Panasonic GH5, the base of the camera gets in the way of the locking switch.
This means that I have to position the camera slightly back in the mount, even with the long base plate. This can be annoying but it doesn’t affect the use and movement etc.
The biggest bonus for me is that my two base plates used on my large Manfrotto video tripod/head also fit this one. I now have interchangeable plates for two cameras and my Canon 70-200L 2.8 IS lens for quick and easy swap-overs.
The Good
The Bad
Are after a superb, stable solution that is great for weddings, general walk around photography and video work? Maybe for for travelling? The Sirui P-324SR monopod and Manfrotto MVH502AH head combo is spot on!
The Kit I Used In This Video Review
Links to the kit shown in this video are shown above for you to buy or read more reviews from Amazon. Please note that these are affiliate links that pay me a small kickback if you buy through them which helps keep this site running.
I don’t get rich through them trust me and you don't pay any extra. I also don’t get paid to write these reviews. 95% of the time I buy these products and the reviews can sometimes take days to finish so this really helps…thanks.