If you are looking for minipods, Giottos make some of the most beautiful ones I have ever seen. The pictures here are of a Giottos U-Pod. It is 210mm long when collapsed, but extends to 300mm. Everything about these Giottos minipods oozes quality, from the smooth action of all the moving parts, no doubt due to nylon bushing or some other internal mechanism, to the virtually unbreakable and unbendable legs and centre column. The head locks very firmly without having to tighten the locking knob excessively. There is a quick release mechanism too.

Check out some of their other products at http://www.giottos.com/.

By Gordon Huddy