The Porst 135 BCS is a viewfinder camera of Photo Porst’s own brand. The model was probably built in the 70s by King KG from the Black Forest, Germany. At that time Photo Porst was one of the largest photo dealers and mail order companies in Germany.
The lens of the Porst 135 BCS is fixed. The name of the lens is “Color-Spezial C 2,8/40 mm”. The focal length is 40 mm and the maximum aperture is f/2.8. The Porst 135 BCS has no autofocus. The lens is focused manually.
For measuring the exposure, the Porst 135 BCS has an exposure meter. It is designed for films from ISO 25 to ISO 400. Batteries are not needed for the light meter. No other external batteries are needed. The metering cells are located next to the viewfinder.
The Porst 135 BCS has a bulb mode. The shutter remains open as desired. However, this can only be used with a cable release. An external flash can be connected to the Hot Shoe. The 35 mm camera comes with a thread for a tripod.
Films for the Porst 135 BCS
The Porst 135 BCS uses 35mm film. 35mm films are still produced by different manufacturers. A good choice for color photography is the Kodak Gold 200*. If you want to stay monochrome, the Ilford XP2 Super* is not bad.
The color negative film is developed in the C-41 development process. The C-41 process is offered by almost every photo lab.
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 |
| Light meter | Selenium light meter |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 25 to 400 |
| Exposure modes | Manual mode |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | No |
| Date imprinting | No |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | No |
| Power supply | Not necessary |
| Company name of the brand | Photo Porst |
| Manufacturer | King |
FAQ about the Porst 135 BCS
Is this camera automatic or do I need to adjust the settings myself?
The Porst 135 BCS is a manual camera. You'll need to manually focus the lens and adjust the settings. It does have a built-in light meter to help with exposure.
What kind of film does the camera use?
This 35mm camera uses standard 35mm film rolls. Many brands like Kodak, Ilford, and Fujifilm still produce them, giving you various options for color or black and white.
Does the camera need batteries to work?
No, the Porst 135 BCS doesn't require any batteries for basic operation. The built-in light meter also works without batteries.
Can I use a flash with this camera?
Yes, it has a hot shoe for connecting an external flash. This allows you to take photos in low-light conditions.
How do I focus the lens on the device?
The lens on the Porst 135 BCS is manually focused. You will need to turn the focusing ring on the lens to achieve the desired focus.