Sirui ET-1004 Review: An Aluminium Travel Tripod That Prioritises Value

The Sirui ET-1004 is the aluminium version of Sirui’s compact ET travel-tripod design. It uses four-section legs, flip locks and reverse-folding geometry to pack to about 42 cm, while providing a maximum working height of 140 cm. It is a practical choice for photographers who want a complete, straightforward travel support without paying the premium for carbon fibre.

The compromise is easy to understand: at about 1.3 kg for the legs, it is around 200 g heavier than the carbon-fibre ET-1204. That is noticeable on a long walk but not dramatic in a normal backpack. The aluminium model can be the better buy when price matters more than carrying the lightest possible kit.

A travel tripod that is not too small to use

The ET-1004 folds its legs back by 180 degrees around the head. This keeps the packed length to 41.9 cm, short enough for most backpacks and carry-on cases, while its 25 mm upper leg tubes avoid the spindly feel of many tiny travel tripods. Four leg sections are a sensible middle ground: fewer joints than a five-section ultralight tripod, yet still compact enough for trips.

Its flip locks make setup easy to follow. You can see immediately whether each lock is open or closed, and they are easy to operate with cold hands. Twist locks make for a cleaner cylindrical shape and can be quicker when all sections are released together, but the ET-1004 is a good option for anyone who prefers a more obvious locking system.

This is not a full-height tripod for every photographer. The 140 cm maximum height includes the centre column; with that column down, the platform is around 116 cm. That lower working height is worth using when possible, because lifting a centre column increases the chance of vibration. A small amount of bending is often the price of a tripod that packs this compactly.

What the 8 kg rating does — and does not — tell you

Sirui rates the ET-1004 for 8 kg. This means the structure is designed to support a substantial load, but it is not a guarantee of equally solid results with every camera-and-lens combination. A heavy lens extends the centre of gravity away from the tripod, making the setup more sensitive to touch, wind and shutter vibration.

The comfortable use case is a mirrorless camera or small-to-medium DSLR with a standard zoom, prime lens or short telephoto. The tripod can carry more, but a large 70-200 mm or super-telephoto lens asks more of the head and makes the light legs work harder. For regular long-lens shooting, a taller support with thicker legs will give a steadier view and settle faster after adjustments.

For landscape work, start with the legs only as high as needed, leave the column down, and use the three leg-angle positions to find stable footing. Each leg can be adjusted independently, which matters on rocks, steps and uneven paths. Rubber feet give grip on smooth ground but cannot compensate for a poor surface or a strong gust of wind. The hook under the column can help with ballast if a bag hangs low and does not swing.

Low shots without a complicated centre column

The regular centre column is reversible and the kit includes a short column. The short column is the more useful option for low work because it lets the tripod get down to about 13 cm without placing the camera upside down. It works well for foreground-heavy landscapes, flowers, still life and close-up subjects.

Inverting the normal column can put the camera even closer to the ground, but framing, changing lenses and using a viewfinder are less convenient when the camera is suspended between the legs. It is a useful occasional technique, not a reason to choose this tripod over one with a dedicated horizontal macro column. For a compact alternative focused on very low positions, see the Sirui AM-223 mini tripod.

The E-10 ball head in the common kit

Many ET-1004 kits include the Sirui E-10 ball head and TY-50E quick-release plate. A separate main lock secures the camera angle while a pan control allows the base to rotate. This is useful for stitched panoramas: level the head first, then rotate it instead of trying to hand-hold a consistent horizon.

The quick-release plate is convenient for a light camera body, and the clamp’s safety mechanism reduces the chance of the plate slipping out when the lever is loosened. As with any small travel head, it is better suited to compact lenses than a long lens hanging far in front of the camera. A lens with its own tripod foot should normally be mounted by that foot rather than by the camera body.

ET-1004 versus the carbon ET-1204

The two models share the same basic dimensions, four-section layout, 8 kg rating, flip locks and 42 cm folded length. The choice is mainly one of material. The Sirui ET-1204 saves weight with carbon fibre and is more pleasant to hold in low temperatures. The ET-1004 costs less and its aluminium construction is perfectly reasonable when a small weight penalty is acceptable.

Neither version turns into a heavy-duty tripod simply because of the stated load rating. Pick the ET-1004 for travel, ordinary landscapes, family photography and lightweight video work; pick a larger tripod if stability is more important than how little it takes up in a bag.

30-second decision

The Sirui ET-1004 is a good-value travel tripod if you like flip locks, want a low working option and use a light-to-medium camera kit. Its 42 cm folded length and sensible four-section design make it easier to take along than a conventional full-size tripod.

Do not choose it for eye-level shooting, heavy telephoto work or wind-prone long exposures. The money saved over carbon fibre is worthwhile only if you are comfortable with the extra weight and the limits of a compact support.

See Sirui’s ET Series specifications for the original measurements and model details.

As an Amazon Associate, GottaPics earns from qualifying purchases.

If the aluminium version fits your needs, check current Sirui ET-1004 availability on Amazon.