SIRUI Lightweight Carbon Fiber Traveler 5C Review

Likes

First and foremost, the SIRUI Lightweight Carbon Fiber Traveler 5C is portable, measuring only 13 inches long when folded. It includes a simple carrying bag and weighs just 1.9 pounds, which makes it easy to bring along for a day of sightseeing or a long hike to a beautiful view. Plus, it will slide easily into a backpack or suitcase.

The Traveler also held up better than we expected in drop tests and field testing, especially given its low weight. This still doesn't have a robust enough construction for heavier cameras and has a load capacity of just 8.8 lbs, but if you're trying to travel light, you're likely to bring a smaller camera setup anyway.

The SIRUI is pretty easy to use for most standard situations, like setting up for a cityscape shot over a bridge. It doesn't have as many snazzy upgrades, like a monopod conversion, a level indicator, or 90° tilt, but everything it does have works well.

Quick release plates are a favorite of ours and is fortunately the most common system you'll find.   Credit: Zach Lovell

Twist lock mechanisms keep the legs extended to the height of your choosing.   Credit: Zach Lovell

The SIRUI has a ball head that allows for quick angle adjustment, though we wish it included a level indicator.   Credit: Zach Lovell

The angle locks on the legs of the SIRUI are more traditional, and less convenient than modern options, but they do the job.   Credit: Zach Lovell

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Dislikes

As we mentioned above, this model is only rated for 8.8 pounds. That's still enough for most full-sized cameras equipped with a moderate-size zoom lens. However, when we fully extended the center column to its max height (54.3 inches), the SIRUI wasn't very confidence-inspiring in the wind. We often needed to hang a bag on its center column to keep it steady for long-exposure shots, reducing its capacity for camera gear.

With practice, we were able to set up shots on uneven ground, but we had to triple-check the leg positioning before taking our hands off the SIRUI.

The center column of the Traveler offers 54.3 inches of height, which is just about average for the group, but it is quite wobly when fully extended, so you might not get the full benefit. With cropped-sensor cameras and cell phones, it wasn't an issue, but with bigger cameras or lenses, it was best to keep the center column as low as possible.

Should You Buy the SIRUI Lightweight Carbon Fiber Traveler 5C?

This is a phenomenal tripod for any photographer wanting to keep their kit as light as possible, but especially for travelers. It's light and small enough to fit in a backpack, and is affordable enough that if it gets damaged on the road, or forgotten at the hotel, it won't be such a big loss. That said, the Traveler 5C is not made for professional photographers. It can still support some full-sized cameras, but it's best to bring a smaller camera setup when using this tripod.

What Other Tripods Should You Consider?