While we found very little wrong with the monopod compared to other devices in its field, there are a few things worth noting. First, its price. With monopods going for $25 for the very simple, to $90 for more solid 'pods, we found in our research that the average 'pod was about $65. At $210 MSRP, this is a pricey 'pod, although dealers are listing it a lot lower. However, we believe it's worth the money if you take care of it. We also discovered that if you're doing a sweeping arc shot with the feet firmly placed on the ground, if you gently place one of your own feet over one of the monopod's feet you will have a steadier shot. This is something you can't do with any other monopod.

Finally, having the three feet might give you a false sense of security. Smaller camcorders can balance while standing on the monopod without the human touch, but don't be fooled. You can't forget and leave your camcorder sitting on Manfrotto's 560B monopod as it is not a tripod, and a mild gust of wind or ground movement can topple it over if it's left unattended.

The only thing missing on this monopod is a spirit level, as you might want to check if your shot is level, but most likely you'll be using it for moving shots. We believe you'll love this monopod, and find you'll grab it more often than your tripod for that steady, firm, and very fluid shot.

Want to see more? Download our vidcast, Videomaker Presents episode #28 to see the 560B in action.

Model: 560B
Finish: Black
Material: Aluminum
Column Type: 3-faceted
Maximum Height: 65.5 in
Closed Length: 26 in
Leg Sections: 4
Foot Type: Retractable feet
Maximum Load Capacity: 4.4 lbs
Tilt: -90°/ +90°
QR Plate Supplied: 3157N
Weight: 24.7 oz

• Fluid pivoting leg (pan only)
• Retractable feet
• Strong locking protection

• Pricey for a monopod
• No level bubble

The perfect accessory to bridge the gap between firm planted tripods and handheld shooting freedom, Manfrotto's 560B monopod is smooth, light, and fun to use.

Jennifer O'Rourke is Videomaker's managing editor.

$210
Bogen Imaging Inc.
PO Box 506
Ramsey, NJ 07446
www.bogenimaging.us