The Cosina Hi-Lite 405 is a 35mm camera. It is part of the group of single lens reflex cameras and was built in the 70s. “Porst Reflex C-TL super” was the name for the model by the German photo dealer Photo Porst.
The lens of the Cosina Hi-Lite 405 is exchangeable. It features a M42 lens mount. The M42 thread is standardized and manufacturer-independent, so a large number of lenses have been manufactured for this lens mount. The lens mount was developed by Carl Zeiss in Jena, Germany. Amongst others, M42 lens manufactures are Pentax, Pentacon, Meyer-Optik, Zeiss and KMZ (Zenit). There is no autofocus with the 35mm camera. You have to focus manually on the subject.
The 35 mm camera has a built-in sensor for measuring the precise exposure. The correct exposure is measured through the lens. The Cosina Hi-Lite 405 has a bulb mode built-in. A flash unit can be used via the hot shoe or the PC flash connection.
Films for the Cosina Hi-Lite 405
The Cosina Hi-Lite 405 is designed for 35mm films. 35mm films are still produced today and are quite easy to get. A possible film for color photography is the Fujifilm Superia 400*. One option for b/w images is the Ilford Delta 400*.
The colour film is a colour negative film and must be developed in the C-41 process. C-41 films are developed by almost all photo laboratories. At this size, 36 images will fit on a 135-36 film. The photographer has to rewind the film manually.
The Cosina Hi-Lite 405 has a thread for a tripod. It can be triggered by self-timer or by cable release. The dimensions of the 35mm camera are 14,5 x 9,5 x 5 cm. The weight of the Cosina Hi-Lite 405 is 734 g.
The Cosina Hi-Lite 405 is no longer in production. The condition determine mainly the price for the camera today.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Single lens reflex camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Lens mount | M42 lens mount |
| Focus | Manual |
| Exposure times | 1/1000 second to 1 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | Hot Shoe, PC-Flash |
| Flash sync speed | 1/125 s |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Size | 14,5 x 9,5 x 5 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.71 x 3.74 x 1.97 inches |
| Weight | 734 Grams |
| Estimated value / Used price | 40,48 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 4 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of June 15, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 91,20 Euro (98.50 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 71,52 Euro (76.85 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 52,96 Euro (56.28 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Cosina Hi-Lite 405
Is the Cosina Hi-Lite 405 an automatic camera?
No, it's a manual focus camera. You have to manually adjust the focus yourself. There's no autofocus feature.
What kind of lenses can I use with this 35mm camera?
It uses M42 lenses, a standard mount. This means you can use a wide variety of lenses from different manufacturers, not just Cosina.
How do I take pictures with a flash?
The camera has a hot shoe and a PC flash connection. You can attach a flash to either of these to take flash photos.
Does this film camera have a built-in light meter?
Yes, it has a built-in TTL light meter to help you determine the correct exposure. This is crucial for getting correctly exposed pictures.
What type of film does the camera use?
It takes standard 35mm film. Both color and black and white films are compatible. You manually wind the film after each shot.