The Porst 135 BC is a camera made by Photo Porst. The model was in the catalog and on the shelves in the 70s. Presumably, the model was built in the south of Germany by King KG.
The lens of the Porst 135 BC cannot be exchanged. The manufacturer’s name of the lens is “Color-Spezial C 2.8/40 mm”. The largest aperture of the lens is f/2.8 and the focal length is 40 mm. The lens is focused manually.
The 35 mm camera has an exposure meter. It can be used with films with sensitivity from ISO 25 to ISO 400. The Selenium light meter does not need batteries. However, over the years, this may lose accuracy or stop operating completely.
The camera has a bulb mode. In this mode, the shutter can be opened for a variable time. This makes long exposures at night possible, for example. However, you can only use this mode with a cable release.
The Porst 135 BC measures 11 x 7.5 x 6.5 cm. The camera is mechanical and can take pictures without batteries. An external flash can be triggered via the built-in hot shoe. A thread for a tripod is built into the bottom of the camera.
Films for the Porst 135 BC
According to the instruction manual, the Porst 135 BC requires 35mm film. There is still a good selection of material for color and black and white images for this film format. Nice 35mm films for color and black and white images respectively are the Kodak Ultramax 400* and the Kodak T-Max 400*.
The color film is processed in the C-41 development process. This development process is offered by most laboratories. The black and white film has to go into a developer like Rodinal, XTOL or D-76. This kind of development is also offered by many professional developing labs.
Of course, there are many other suitable films from different manufacturers. There are films from Ilford, Foma, Fujifilm or Lomography. Suitable photo films are also available from Kentmere or Rollei.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Viewfinder camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Focal length | 40 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/2.8 |
| Focus | Manual |
| Exposure times | 1/500 second to 1/30 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | Selenium light meter |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 25 to 400 |
| Exposure modes | Manual mode |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | No |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | No |
| Power supply | Not necessary |
| Size | 11 x 7,5 x 6,5 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 4.33 x 2.95 x 2.56 inches |
| Company name of the brand | Photo Porst |
| Manufacturer | King |
FAQ about the Porst 135 BC
Is the lens on this camera interchangeable?
No, the Porst 135 BC has a fixed lens, a Color-Spezial C 2.8/40 mm. This means you can't swap it out for a different lens. The focal length is 40mm.
What kind of film does the camera use?
It uses standard 35mm film. You can use both color and black and white films. Many brands are compatible.
Does the camera need batteries to take pictures?
No, the Porst 135 BC is a mechanical camera and doesn't require batteries for basic operation. However, it does have a light meter which uses a selenium cell and does not require batteries.
Can I use a flash with this camera?
Yes, the camera has a hot shoe which allows you to use external flash units. This lets you add extra light when you need it.
How does the camera's light meter work?
The camera uses a built-in selenium light meter. This type of meter doesn't require batteries and works directly from the light. However, it may lose accuracy with age.