First Trip Out with the RealitySoSubtle 6x6 — and My First Time Shooting Kodak Gold 200
A few weeks ago, I picked up the RealitySoSubtle 6x6 pinhole camera. It had been sitting on the shelf ever since, patiently waiting for me to find the time—and motivation—to take it out. One evening after work, following an extended bout of procrastination and a “should I or shouldn’t I?” internal debate, I finally decided to load a roll of Kodak Gold 200 and head down to the local beach.
The timing turned out to be ideal. The setting sun was casting beautiful warm tones, and the tide was rolling in fast over the rocky shoreline. I didn’t have much time to shoot—between the fading light and the rising tide (which can sneak up behind you on this particular beach)—but the conditions were perfect for a quick test run with the new camera.
First Impressions of the RealitySoSubtle 6x6F
I have to say, I’m really impressed with the build quality. I’d been toying with the idea of buying one of these cameras for years, but it wasn’t until I recently got the RealitySoSubtle 6x17 that I truly appreciated how well-made and thoughtfully designed these pinhole cameras are. That sealed the deal for me, and the 6x6F (the version with the built-in filter ring) quickly followed.
About the Camera: RealitySoSubtle 6x6F
The 6x6F is a sleek, compact pinhole camera with a minimal, functional design. It shares a lot in common with the dual-pinhole 6x6 model but has some key differences:
-
Single central pinhole (no dual pinhole setup)
-
Focal length: 24mm
-
Built-in 52mm filter ring for attaching ND or other creative filters
Key Features:
-
Ultra-compact, pocket-friendly design with rounded edges
-
CNC-machined from High Impact Polystyrene (H.I.P)
-
Flat film plane with a 24mm pinhole-to-film distance (focal length)
-
Produces 56.2mm x 56.2mm square images – 12 shots per roll of 120 film
-
Wide 99° angle of view, both horizontally and vertically
-
150-micron laser-drilled pinhole (f/160), made from 50-micron thick material
-
Magnetic shutter with snap-open and snap-closed action
-
CNC-engraved aiming lines on top and sides for framing
-
1/4-20 tripod mount
-
Bidirectional film winding (great for double exposures)
-
Precision brass winding shafts and bearings
-
Top-loading design with captive screws
-
Sliding red window cover (handy for long exposures with ND filters)
Shooting Experience
The light was changing quickly, and with the tide coming in fast, I didn’t have long to experiment. The beach is known for its sneaky tides that often wrap around and trap you if you're not paying attention, so I kept a close eye on my surroundings.
Despite the limited time, I managed to fire off a few frames. It was my first time shooting Kodak Gold 200 in a pinhole camera, and I’m excited to share some of the results below.
.jpg)
.jpg)
The very next day, I headed back down to the beach—this time with the kids and our kayaks in tow. Normally, if I'm planning a dedicated shoot at the beach, I’d reach for a large format pinhole camera. But for spontaneous outings like this, the 6x6 is absolutely ideal. It’s compact, easy to carry, and perfect for capturing candid moments on the go. That’s actually how my Pinhole Theme Park series first came about—just throwing a small pinhole camera into my bag for the day. With the kids and kayaks providing plenty of action, the RealitySoSubtle 6x6 felt like the perfect tool to document it all.
.jpg)
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’m really pleased with the RealitySoSubtle 6x6. It’s been a genuine pleasure to use—from the smooth, magnetic shutter to the simple and reliable film advance. The camera feels thoughtfully designed and precisely engineered, striking a great balance between usability and image quality. It’s compact enough to carry anywhere, yet delivers striking, wide-angle pinhole images that make it a solid choice for both casual outings and more intentional work.
This outing was also my first time shooting with Kodak Gold 200, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well it performed—especially in the warm evening light. The colours from the setting sun really brought the images to life, with rich golden tones and subtle pastel gradients that added character to every frame. It’s a film I’ll definitely be using again, especially for beach and sunset scenes.
Between the camera and the film, everything came together beautifully—and I’m excited to see what this setup can do on future adventures.
Comments
Post a Comment