One of my primary instructors in college had an exhibit at the Denver Museum of Modern Art for her pinhole photography. Angie had constructed a wooden 8×10 frame that was large, heavy, and a burden to carry. I remember having such a fantastic time using her pinhole camera during class and thanking my lucky stars that I didn’t have to haul it out of there. There haven’t been many smaller options for the medium. Enter the Reality So Subtle 35R pinhole camera.
Reality So Subtle has several unique options of varying sizes. The 35R is one of the newer designs from James Guerin. What makes the 35mm pinhole camera unique is that it has a second redscale pinhole option for added creativity. Is it worth $120? We think so. Keep reading to see why.
The Big Picture
The Reality So Subtle 35R is a lightweight 35mm camera with two pinholes. Photographers can capture an image like usual or opt for a redscale option on the back. It features built-in sprockets for easy film advancing and rewinding. It does not have a takeup spool. Photographers must either buy a reloadable canister or collect the empty used ones.
Photographers who are used to precise exposures will need to get into the habit of practicing flexibility. That’s part of the fun being able to let loose and relax. The 35R features a 15mm equivalent f/100 laser-drilled pinhole. It features a magnetic shutter that glides in average temperatures. However, it does tend to stick when it is freezing outside.
The Reality So Subtle 35R produces sharp images by pinhole standards. It’s lightweight, easily fits any camera bag, and is fun to use. Plus, the redscale option is a great creative outlet and fun.
We are giving the Reality So Subtle 35R four out of five stars. Want one? You can pick one up for $120 from Blue Moon Camera.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact.
- Simple and fun to use.
- Sharp images by pinhole standards.
- The redscale option is a neat feature.
Cons
- The magnetic slider sticks in frigid weather.
- It’s not geared toward beginners, and that’s not a bad thing.
Gear Used
We reviewed the Reality So Subtle 35R with the following gear:
- Kodak Portra 400 35mm film
- Lomography Color Negative 800 35mm Film
- Vanguard Veo 3+ 263CB Tripod
- Sekonic light meter
Ergonomics
Here is a view of the front side of the 35R.
And here is the back. As you can see, it’s nearly identical. The red-colored magnetic shutter indicates it’s the redscale side.
The top panel houses the clicker, film rewind dial, bubble level, and two screws for accessing the film.
On the underside of the top panel, you will see the two brass winding shafts.
Here is what the interior looks like when loaded with film.
Ease Of Use
The 35R Operating the Reality So Subtle 35R camera requires a base foundation of photography exposure calculations. Newer photographers will be able to learn and adapt with a few practice rounds. The f100 aperture isn’t standard on most light meters. I rounded to the nearest fstop and made a slight adjustment with my shutter speed. The redscale side requires an extra 1-2 stops of light, depending on preference.
The 35R is completely manual and does not include a takeup spool. Photographers must either buy a reloadable canister or collect the empty used ones. I sacrificed a very cheap roll of film and used it as a guide for the new roll of film. It’s as easy as cutting off the leader, taping them together, and then advancing the film.
The manufacturer recommends nine or ten clicks between each frame. I opted for ten which yielded approximately 28 images on a 36-exposure roll of film. It’s easy to develop a rhythm of calculating the exposure, opening and closing the shutter, and then advancing the film. If you forget to advance it, the accidental double exposure can be a lot of fun.
Reality So Subtle’s 35R magnetic shutter does stick when the temperatures dip below freezing. I had a few frames where my fingertips steadied the camera as I fiddled to get the shutter to close. It doesn’t look awful and almost passes as a light flare. Also, don’t worry about being exact. Most film is forgiving.
Image Quality
The images produced with Reality So Subtle’s 35R are very sharp in the world of pinhole photography. Its 15mm equivalent pinhole is a versatile focal length for landscapes and street photography.
Utilizing the redscale feature on the underside of the film emulsion creates otherworldly results. Photographers will need to adjust the exposure by one or two stops, depending on preference. The extra light will transform the striking red hue into a more subdued amber color.
Here is an example of the image by adjusting one stop.
And here is the result with two extra stops.
Extra Image Samples
From day one, The Phoblographer has been huge on transparency. Nothing from this review is sponsored. Further, lots of folks will post reviews and show lots of editing in the photos. The problem then becomes that anyone and everyone can do the same thing. They’re not showing what the product can do. These photos are completely unedited.
Who Should Buy The Reality So Subtle 35R?
Any photographer who is looking to experiment with film and develop their knowledge base would have fun with the 35R. It’s lightweight, compact, and fun to use. The redscale feature produces otherworldly color results, which is fun to play with. It would act as a red filter for black and white film enthusiasts.
The Reality So Subtle 35R pinhole camera isn’t created for precision or perfection. Anyone looking for that in a camera of this caliber is missing the magic of pinhole photography. It’s designed to slow down, indulge, and try new things.
If you are ready to dive in, head on over to Blue Moon Camera to pick one up alongside your favorite roll of film. They also do an excellent job with developing and scanning.
Camera Features
The camera features are from the manufacturer.
- Very compact pocket design with rounded edges
- CNC machined body from High Impact Polystyrene (H.I.P)
- Flat film plane with pinhole to film distance (focal length) of 15mm on both sides.
- 35x36mm image area – sprocket areas are exposed.
- Laser drilled 150 micron (0.15mm) pinhole (f/100). Pinhole material thickness = 50 microns (.002″).
- Magnetic shutter – magnetic ‘snap to’ both open and closed position
- Accurate CNC engraved aiming lines on top and both sides for accurate framing.
- 1/4-20 tripod mount
- Robust” clicker” to accurately space the frames.
- Brass winding shafts turning in precision bearings
- Top-loader with top panel fixed with captive screws
- In camera rewind feature –” clicker” disengage switch.
- Weight: 249 grams
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