The Cosina Compact 35E is a rangefinder camera. It was developed by Cosina and presented in the 70s. The 35mm camera was also available on the market under the name “Porst 135 S”. The camera is available with a completely black housing and in a version where parts are silver. It is partly made of metal.
The lens of the Cosina Compact 35E cannot be exchanged. It is called “Automatic Cosinon 1:2.7 f=38 mm” and has a maximum aperture of f2.7. The model does not have autofocus. Therefore, you have to focus by hand. The rangefinder helps with focusing. The minimum distance to the subject must be 100 cm.
The camera has a built-in light meter. The light meter was built for films with a sensitivity of ISO 25 to ISO 400. The Cosina Compact 35E has an automatic exposure control. The photographer cannot select the aperture and exposure time.
The 35 mm camera has a Bulb mode. In the Bulb setting, the remains open as long as the photographer keeps the shutter button pressed.
An external flash can be connected to the hot shoe. The Cosina 35 Compact E has a self-timer and a tripod socket. The dimensions of the 35 mm camera are 11 x 7.5 x 5.4 cm. At the same time, it weighs 359 grams.
Films for the Cosina Compact 35E
What kind of films does the Cosina Compact 35E need? It requires 35mm films. 35mm films are still in production. Possible films for the model are the Kodak Ultramax 400* and the Ilford HP5*.
The color film is processed in the C-41 development process. The C-41 process is offered by almost every photo lab. The black and white developer cannot be processed in this process. It must go into special SW chemistry for development.
The film must be rewound manually by the photographer. There is a lever on the back of the camera for this purpose.
The rangefinder camera is no longer manufactured. Depending on the condition and functionality, the used price varies.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Rangefinder camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Focal length | 38 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/2.7 |
| Minimum focus distance | 100 cm / 3.28 ft |
| Focus | Manual |
| Rangefinder | Yes |
| Exposure times | 1/650 second to 1/30 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 25 to 400 |
| Exposure modes | Program automatic |
| Manual exposure settings | No |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | No |
| Date imprinting | No |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Size | 11 x 7,5 x 5,4 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 4.33 x 2.95 x 2.13 inches |
| Weight | 359 Grams |
| Country of production | Japan |
| Estimated value / Used price | 47,68 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 8 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of June 15, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 62,36 Euro (67.11 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Cosina Compact 35E
Is the lens on this Cosina camera interchangeable?
No, the Cosina Compact 35E has a fixed lens, the 'Automatic Cosinon 1:2.7 f=38 mm'. This means you can't change it for a different one. It's a compact camera design choice.
How do I focus the camera?
The Cosina Compact 35E doesn't have autofocus; it's a manual focus camera. You adjust the focus using the rangefinder, ensuring your subject is at least 1 meter away.
What kind of film does this little camera use?
This small camera takes 35mm film. You can use both color and black and white 35mm film, making it versatile for different photographic styles.
Does the camera have any automatic features?
Yes, it has automatic exposure. The camera automatically sets the aperture and shutter speed; you don't manually select these settings. However, it does have a bulb mode.
Can I use a flash with this rangefinder camera?
Yes, the Cosina Compact 35E has a hot shoe for connecting an external flash. This allows you to use flash photography to supplement the available light.