After years of hovering over the Buy It Now button on several 6x17 pinhole cameras, I finally took the plunge and got the RealitySoSubtle 6×17. I’ve always loved the 6×12 pinhole format, but the idea of shooting 6×17 images kept calling me back. When RealitySoSubtle announced an upgraded version with new features I couldn’t resist, I knew it was time.
This precision-engineered pinhole camera, designed by James Guerin, offers three laser-drilled pinholes for greater composition control, a CNC-machined high-impact polystyrene body, and an ultra-wide 141-degree field of view on 120 film. With magnetic shutters, built-in levels, and an easy-loading system, it’s built for both creative experimentation and serious panoramic photography.
In this post, I’ll dive into what makes this camera special and why it was worth the wait.
RealitySoSubtle: A Leading Name in Pinhole Photography
RealitySoSubtle has long been recognized in the pinhole photography world, known for crafting some of the sharpest pinholes available. Their cameras are highly regarded for their precision, durability, and thoughtful design, making them a top choice for serious pinhole photographers.
What’s New in the Updated 6×17?
The previous version of the RealitySoSubtle 6×17 gave photographers a choice between:
✔ A single center pinhole with a filter holder or
✔ Two pinholes for rise and fall composition (but no center pinhole).
Now, the new model combines the best of both—offering three pinholes:
1️⃣ Top pinhole (rise) – Moves the horizon to the lower part of the image, giving you more sky.
2️⃣ Center pinhole – Keeps the horizon in the middle for a balanced 50/50 composition.
3️⃣ Bottom pinhole (fall) – Moves the horizon upward, emphasizing the foreground.
Additionally, the filter holder is now compatible with Cokin P series filters, and the large clips holding the back together have been replaced with sleeker hand-tightened screws, giving the camera a cleaner, more refined look.
Rear View of the RealitySoSubtle 6×17 – The clear rear window with a sliding cover ensures protection from unwanted light leaks while allowing you to easily see the frame numbers, which are clearly engraved for precise selection. Additionally, a film box end holder provides a convenient way to keep track of the film type you're using.
Film holder removed
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Curved Film Plane: Why It Matters |
Unlike traditional pinhole cameras with a flat film plane, the RealitySoSubtle 6×17 features a curved film plane.
📌 What does this mean?
A curved film plane helps reduce distortion and vignetting, ensuring a more even light distribution across the negative.
A flat film plane, common in many pinhole cameras, can cause darkened edges and exaggerated perspective distortion, especially in wide-angle shots.
How the Three Pinholes Improve Composition
One challenge with a curved film plane is that tilting the camera up or down can cause the horizon to appear curved in the final image. However, with the three pinholes, you can control the horizon placement without tilting the camera, keeping it level while adjusting the composition:
Top pinhole (rise): Moves the horizon lower in the frame, capturing more sky.
Center pinhole: Keeps the horizon centered for an equal sky-to-ground ratio.
Bottom pinhole (fall): Moves the horizon higher, emphasizing the foreground.
This new design gives greater flexibility and makes correcting perspective easier, making the RealitySoSubtle 6×17 an even more powerful tool for creative pinhole photography.
First Trip Out with the RealitySoSubtle 6×17
With only four shots per roll, every frame on this camera needs to count—so I wanted my first outing to be somewhere special.
I headed to Birling Gap, a stunning spot along the Sussex coastline. It was a bright, sunny morning—not my ideal lighting for pinhole photography, but the excitement of finally using this camera made it impossible to stay indoors.
Composing the shot was surprisingly intuitive and precise. The engraved composition lines on the top and side, along with the built-in bubble level, made it easy to ensure my horizon was straight. For this image, I used the fall pinhole, allowing me to capture more of the foreground—perfect for showcasing the textures of the landscape.
Second Image – Windswept Tree on the South Downs
For my second shot, I took the RealitySoSubtle 6×17 up to a windswept tree on the South Downs, just above Birling Gap. I was drawn to the idea of using a panoramic format to frame an isolated subject, and this lone tree, standing defiantly against the elements, was the perfect choice.
Since I was positioned partway down the hill, I used the rise pinhole to capture more of the sky while minimizing the foreground. This allowed the tree to stand out even more against the open landscape. I also took the opportunity to test the Cokin P filter holder with a red filter, which I hoped would enhance the contrast and deepen the tones in the sky.
Third Image – Testing the Curved Film Plane with a Barn
A short walk from the windswept tree led me to an old barn, the perfect subject to test how well the curved film plane reduces distortion. I wanted to see how placing a subject towards the edge of the frame would compare to a traditional flat-plane pinhole camera, which tends to stretch and distort objects near the edges due to the extreme angles of light projection.
I composed the shot with the barn positioned as close to the edge as possible. On a flat-plane panoramic pinhole camera, the barn would typically appear stretched or skewed. However, thanks to the curved plane design of the RealitySoSubtle 6×17, the distortion was virtually eliminated, keeping the structure’s proportions intact.
This test really highlighted one of the biggest advantages of this camera—its ability to maintain a natural, distortion-free perspective, even with extreme wide-angle compositions.
Fourth Image – Vertical Pinhole Shot at a Local Church
For my fourth and final image, I decided to take full advantage of the tripod mount on the side of the camera, along with the bubble level and engraved composition lines on the other side. These features made it easy to set up a vertical pinhole shot, which was perfect for the scene I had in mind.
I found a beautiful composition in a small local church. The flowers in the foreground, light streaming onto the side of the church and leading up into the branches of a nearby tree. The combination of light and natural elements made for a peaceful and striking image, and the vertical format really helped capture the full depth of the scene.
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Final Thoughts on My First Experience
For my first experience with the RealitySoSubtle 6×17, I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed using this camera. The 6×17 format is definitely not suited for every type of shot, and it presents its own set of unique challenges. It encourages me to think more carefully about composition and how to approach each frame.
It’s easy to fall into a routine where you know exactly how to compose a shot with a more traditional format, but using something as expansive and unconventional as the 6×17 forces me to break free from that mindset. It pushes me to be more intentional with every shot, considering not just the subject but the entire panoramic field.
I’m excited to continue experimenting with this camera and see where it takes me creatively. The ability to capture sweeping vistas with incredible depth of field, combined with the added control over composition through the three pinholes, makes this camera a valuable tool for anyone looking to expand their pinhole photography horizons.
If you’re thinking about diving into panoramic pinhole photography, the RealitySoSubtle 6×17 is an excellent choice. It combines precision, craftsmanship, and versatility, offering a truly unique approach to photography that’s both challenging and rewarding.
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