Manfrotto 560B-1 £99, $170
At just 66cm collapsed, the 560B-1 is one of the smaller sticks in our bunch, yet is still features three fold-out feet for better grip on loose surfaces. They really do make a difference when you’re off the beaten track.
The leg and feet connect via a small ball-and-socket joint, which is supposed to enable smooth panning. However, we found it to be prone to jerking and sticking. Frankly, it might as well be lubricated with lumpy custard. There’s no locking mechanism either, so if you don’t hold on to your Nikon, it will tip over.
The four-section leg is nothing special, either. The skinny tubing it’s made from helps keep the weight down to a respectable 1.2kg, but it restricts the payload to just 2kg, making this the weakest monopod on test.