SmallRig 5565 Carbon Fiber Video Monopod First Impressions: A Field Test at Crufts

Four days at Crufts settled it. The SmallRig 5565 is a genuinely capable long-lens support with one design decision that nearly cost me a camera on the first morning. That is the short version. The longer version matters if you shoot fast action from a fixed position for hours at a time, because that is exactly where this monopod earns its keep, and exactly where its one flaw bites.

Most coverage of this monopod shows it being unfolded briefly on a desk or in a studio. What follows is the opposite: sustained use across multiple arena sessions at one of the largest dog events in the world, tracking dogs that do not care about your framing.

The Crufts arena test

I used the 5565 inside the main arenas photographing agility and flyball. Dogs sprint through obstacle courses at high speed while handlers steer them through jumps, tunnels, ramps and hard directional turns. The subject changes direction without warning, and you are tracking it across the frame while holding stable framing and focus.

Photographers work these events from fixed positions around the arena boundary. Once a class starts, you do not move. The camera stays in a ready position for the duration, and individual sessions regularly ran two to three hours without a real break. Hold a long telephoto continuously for that long and the strain in the wrist, forearm and shoulder is not optional, it arrives on schedule.

This is the environment where a monopod stops being an accessory and becomes the thing that lets you finish the day.

The setup

Camera: Nikon Z6 II Lens: Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Adapter: Nikon FTZ

A long lens like this shifts the centre of gravity well forward, so the whole rig is front-heavy and your wrist pays for it. A monopod transfers that load straight into the ground while still letting the camera move freely, which is the entire point during a three-hour flyball session.

Build quality

The 5565 feels mechanically confident. The carbon fibre gives you rigidity without much weight penalty, and nothing about it feels delicate. There is none of the flex or slop you get from lightweight travel monopods. It reads as something built to be deployed, repositioned and hauled around all day. The core structure is excellent. A few smaller details, covered below, only reveal themselves after extended use.

The latch deployment system

This is the standout feature. Instead of unlocking each leg section individually, the whole column stays locked until you release the red latch. Pop the latch and the sections extend smoothly, then lock again when the mechanism returns.

In practice it means you can carry the monopod without worrying that the sections will creep out under their own weight while you walk. The latch also doubles as the carry point, with a rubberised grip beside it for holding the monopod between positions. After four days, this is the mechanism that makes the whole thing feel dependable rather than fiddly.

The base: feet, tilt pedal and tabletop mode

The base has three folding feet that let the monopod stand upright temporarily. Treat this as an aid, not a tripod. At lower heights, with a heavy lens keeping the centre of gravity down, it will stand while you check settings. Extend it higher and the tipping risk climbs fast. Wind, vibration or a stray elbow will put it over, so do not walk away from it.

A red foot pedal unlocks a tilt mechanism. Press it and the monopod leans freely in any direction while the base stays planted, which is genuinely useful for tracking a moving subject without lifting the whole rig between movements. The one weakness is returning to true vertical: there is not enough tactile feedback, and a firmer locking click would give you more confidence you are actually back to neutral.

Remove the column entirely and mount the head straight onto the base and you get a low tabletop tripod. The centre of gravity drops right down and stability improves dramatically. For low-angle stills or small video setups it works well.

Fatigue over long sessions

This is the payoff. Holding a telephoto continuously for hours puts constant load on your arms and shoulders. The 5565 takes most of that off you while still letting the camera move. The camera also stays standing for short pauses in the competition, so you get brief moments to check your phone or adjust exposure without holding the full weight. Small thing, but across a long day those moments add up. This is the kind of support that earns its place on long editorial and sports assignments, the sort of locked-to-one-spot event coverage where moving is not an option.

Fluid head and plates

The included head is built for video but works well for hybrid stills work. It gives smooth vertical movement for tracking and held position reliably under the telephoto rig without drifting. It is rated to 5kg, which is the real payload ceiling for the system, well above my roughly 2.4kg setup.

One thing to know before you buy: the head takes Manfrotto 501PL and DJI RS plates, not Arca Swiss. If your bodies are already on an Arca workflow, factor that in. The head is replaceable via standard 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 threads on the base, so you can swap in a ball head, gimbal or your own video head if you prefer.

The small stuff

Wrist strap. There is a strap near the latch handle for security in crowded arenas and press pits. Unlike most camera straps it does not lock firmly once set, so the loop can gradually tighten on your wrist, and you sometimes need to loosen it before you can extend the column comfortably. Minor, but noticeable when you are working fast.

Harness clip. The body has a threaded accessory mount that turned out to be one of the more useful details. I ran a carabiner from it to a BlackRapid harness so the monopod could hang clipped to me while walking between positions rather than being carried the whole time. In a crowd it works well.

Magnetic hex tool. The quick release plate stores a small hex key by magnet so the adjustment tool is always to hand. Clever idea, weak execution: the magnet is not strong enough, and one detached from its mount during normal use. It does not really hurt you, since a coin or a multitool does the same job, but a mechanically secured magnet would last better.

Ground spike. The rubber foot unscrews to fit a metal spike, which is worth having for grass or soft ground at outdoor sports and wildlife work where a rubber foot slides.

The flaw that nearly dropped a camera

Now the serious one. The quick release plate can be detached by a button near the top of the monopod. That position is exactly where most people naturally grip a long vertical object when they pick it up.

On the first day, lifting the monopod to change position, my palm pressed the release button without meaning to. The camera started to tilt off the mount before I caught it. With the kit most of us carry, that is not a scratch, that is a repair bill or a write-off.

The ergonomic principle is simple. People grip tall objects near the top for balance and control. Putting a critical release directly under that grip point means normal handling can trigger it, and in a fast environment where you are reacting quickly, gear should work with your instincts, not against them.

There is a compound version worth knowing about too. The column, base and plate assembly all rotate independently, so the folding feet can rotate into line with the release button. If your hand hits the button while the base is oriented that way, the plate can disengage more easily than you would expect. It will not happen every time, but the mechanical possibility is there.

The verdict

This feels like a strong first-generation product. The good ideas are genuinely good, especially the latch system and the modular base. A few decisions, above all the button placement, read as things a second revision would fix. Get that right and this becomes one of the more capable monopods in its class. As it stands, it is excellent support with one habit you have to train yourself around.

Pros

The latch deployment system is fast and stops accidental extension in transit. The carbon fibre gives real rigidity at manageable weight. The modular base adds flexibility, including a usable tabletop mode. And it cuts fatigue substantially over long sessions.

Cons

The release button placement invites accidental activation. The magnetic hex retention is too weak. The wrist strap adjustment is unconventional, and the tilt mechanism lacks clear feedback returning to vertical.

FAQ

What is the SmallRig 5565 designed for?

Primarily a video monopod, but its rigidity and payload make it strong for stills too. Photographers on long telephoto lenses benefit most, since it cuts fatigue while still allowing quick repositioning.

Is it good for sports photography?

Yes. Sports work often means holding one position for long stretches while tracking fast subjects. A monopod keeps the camera supported while it still moves freely, which suits this exactly.

What can it support?

The monopod leg is rated to 15kg, but the included fluid head is rated to 5kg, and the head is the real limit for most setups. My Z6 II with the 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR via FTZ sits at roughly 2.4kg, comfortably inside that.

Can it stand on its own?

The feet let it stand briefly, but do not treat it as a tripod. Stability depends heavily on height, lens weight and conditions, and it will tip if you push your luck.

Is the included fluid head good enough?

For general stills and moderate video, yes. Smooth tilt, holds position. Dedicated filmmakers may still prefer a specialist head.

Does it use Arca Swiss plates?

No. The head takes Manfrotto 501PL and DJI RS plates. If you run Arca on your other gear, plan for that.

Can the head be replaced?

Yes. Standard 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 threads on the base let you fit a ball head, gimbal or another video head.

Is it good for travel?

It is reasonably portable, folding to 76cm, but at 2.5kg it is not the lightest option. Anyone prioritising minimal travel weight may want a smaller dedicated travel monopod.

Can it be used outdoors?

Yes. The rubber foot swaps for a spike for better grip on grass or soft ground.

What does the foot pedal do?

It unlocks a tilt mechanism so the monopod leans in any direction without lifting the base, which makes tracking moving subjects smoother.

Is it good for wildlife?

Yes. Long lenses and long stationary waits are the norm, and a monopod supports the rig while letting you reposition quickly.

What is its biggest weakness?

The release button sitting under the natural grip point. Press it by accident while carrying and the plate can release.

Who should buy it?

Anyone working heavy setups through long events, sports, wildlife or press assignments.

Who should look elsewhere?

Anyone prioritising the lightest possible kit for travel or casual shooting.