I have been using the RNB almost every day for the last couple of weeks . In my work for real estate I was looking for a lighter solution than my Manfrotto 229. The Manfrotto is extremely well build and great for architectural photography but heavy for lighter work. This, very big, Manfrotto has three handles for all movements. You've got precise control. With a ballhead you have to stir/move to get level with the camera. It is more difficult due to the many movements at the same time. After using the ballhead for weeks I have become mastering it.
Okay, back to the RNB-3. What I really love is the plate mount. The plate must be screwed under the camera. The plate fits nicely in the mount rail of the head. And you have to tighten the plate with a knob. This is very sturdy and keeps it all locked very well. What I don't like is that you've got to screw the plate on camera with a coin or something. Why not with a clip like a Manfrotto 234RC? Now I have to hang the coin round my neck 'cause I have to unscrew the plate every time for camera use on a pole.
The knob to tighten the ball feels very good. You have to turn it many times to tighten en loosen but eventually you get used to it. But for me it would be great to lock it with short turns.
The knob for rotating the whole head is for my copy not that great. The plastic knob was glued a bit off center so by every whole turn it turns somewhat stiff. But you don't need to turn much to tighten the head and fortunately for this copy it's just before the knob tuns stiff.As with the RT-1 there is no problem at all to tighten the ball in use with heavy camera's and big lenses. My biggest lens is a 70-200mm and that works great!
What I miss is a bulb/spirit leveler in the head. I always have to mount a leveler in the hotshoe te level the camera.
The indicated degrees on the head are not so precise. The spacing is inconsistent. It is nice to have certain indication but for precise movements it's not reliable.
There is one thing extremely annoying for me. When you put the camera plate without the camera on the mount the screw of the plate falls down and prevents to get the plate in. You have to hold the tiny thread with your fingers and lock with the other hand. I can't get used to that.
So here are my pro's and cons:
Pro's:
- great build quality
- will easily hold a pro camera body at least with a 70-200mm lens
- nice design and not so chunky
- plate tightens very well
- great for everyday professional use
Con's:
- use of a coin to screw and unscrew the camera plate
- tightening the ballhead with many turns
- the indication of degrees inconsistent
- no spirit leveler
- putting camera plate on mount without the camera is very annoying
Good price for the quality you get!
Update 28 October 2013:
After two years of intensive use the ballhead is still in great shape! Very reliable. And even more camera plates will fit on the head like the Kirk Camera Plate.
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