Sirui ET-1204 Review: A Carbon Travel Tripod With Fast Flip Locks

The Sirui ET-1204 is a carbon-fibre travel tripod for photographers who prefer quick flip locks to the slower, neater profile of twist locks. It folds to about 42 cm, weighs roughly 1.1 kg without a head and reaches about 140 cm with its centre column extended. That combination makes it a practical support for a mirrorless camera or a modest DSLR kit, rather than a full-height studio tripod.

As an older model, it is now more likely to appear as remaining stock or used gear than as a current mainstream choice. It still makes sense when its light weight, flip-lock handling and compact reverse-folding design are more useful to you than maximum height or the latest head design. It is less convincing for a large telephoto lens, very windy locations or photographers who need a tall, rigid platform.

Why the ET-1204 feels different from many travel tripods

The ET series uses four leg sections with flip locks. Open the locks, pull the legs to length and close them again: this is fast and easy to check at a glance, especially in cold weather or with gloves. A twist-lock tripod can be more streamlined in a bag and may be quicker once the technique becomes familiar, but flip locks suit anyone who likes obvious, individual controls.

The legs reverse-fold by 180 degrees around the head, keeping the packed length to 41.9 cm. That is short enough for a carry-on or many backpacks, although it is not as tiny as the Sirui T-025X. The larger 25 mm top leg tubes give this model a little more confidence than an ultra-mini travel tripod, while the carbon-fibre construction keeps it considerably lighter than the aluminium ET-1004 version.

Stability, load capacity and what they mean

Sirui rates the ET-1204 at 8 kg. That figure tells you the tripod can safely support a substantial amount of equipment, but it does not mean every 8 kg camera-and-lens combination will be equally steady for long exposures. Stability depends on where the mass sits, the height of the legs, wind, the surface and whether the centre column is raised.

For a mirrorless body with a standard zoom, a prime, or a short telephoto, the ET-1204 should be a much more natural match. A long 70-200 mm lens puts its mass farther from the platform, which magnifies tiny movements and makes framing less settled. Keeping the lowest leg sections retracted where possible and leaving the centre column down will help more than the maximum-load number alone.

There are three leg-angle positions and independent leg spread, so each leg can be placed sensibly on uneven ground. Rubber feet give reliable grip on smooth surfaces; they do not remove the need to choose firm footing. A centre hook is available for ballast, but a hanging bag should be kept close to the ground. If it swings, it can add movement instead of reducing it.

Height and low-angle options

With the centre column extended, the ET-1204 reaches 139.9 cm. Without it, the platform is about 116 cm high. For many people this means bending slightly rather than shooting at eye level, but it is a reasonable compromise for a tripod that folds to 42 cm. The benefit of working without the column is less vibration, particularly for landscape exposures, macro work and video.

The included short column is more useful than it first sounds. Combined with the three leg angles, it lets the camera sit about 13 cm from the ground. That makes low foregrounds and close-up work easier without having to hang the camera upside down. The regular column is also reversible, which can be useful for unusual angles, though it is less convenient to adjust a camera when it is suspended between the legs. For practical ideas on this type of composition, see GottaPics’ macro photography guide.

The E-10 ball-head kit

Many ET-1204 packages were sold with Sirui’s E-10 ball head and TY-50E quick-release plate. The important point is not simply that a head is included: the separate main lock and pan control let you lock the camera’s angle while rotating it for a panorama. A bubble level helps with initial setup, but check the horizon in the camera as well when accuracy matters.

The plate is a useful, normal-sized option for a compact camera body. It is not a substitute for a longer, lens-supporting plate on a heavy telephoto lens, where balancing the lens foot directly on the head is better for stability. The supplied head makes this a ready-to-use travel kit; photographers with an existing Arca-type system may prefer buying the legs only and fitting a familiar head.

ET-1204 or ET-1004?

The ET-1204 and ET-1004 share the same 4-section layout, 42 cm folded length, 8 kg rating and 140 cm maximum height. The key difference is material: the ET-1204 uses carbon fibre and is about 200 g lighter, while the ET-1004 uses aluminium. Carbon is welcome when the tripod will be carried all day and is more comfortable to hold in cold weather. Aluminium costs less and can be the better value if a small weight saving is not worth the higher price.

Neither should be chosen solely because it claims an 8 kg capacity. Decide instead whether you need a compact tripod for a light kit, a low working position and quick setup. For a much smaller support used with a compact camera, the Sirui AM-223 takes a different, tabletop-focused approach.

30-second decision

The Sirui ET-1204 remains a sensible travel tripod for a light-to-medium camera setup if you specifically want carbon-fibre legs and fast flip locks. It gives useful low-angle options, a manageable folded length and enough rigidity for normal stills work when used sensibly.

Look elsewhere if you need comfortable eye-level height, regularly use a large telephoto lens, or shoot long exposures in wind. A taller tripod with thicker legs will be less convenient to carry but more dependable in those conditions.

For Sirui’s original ET-series dimensions and specifications, see the official ET Series page.

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Where it is still available, you can check the Sirui ET-1204 kit on Amazon.