The Porst 135 BS is a 35mm camera. It was sold by Photo Porst in the 70s. King KG from Bad Liebenzell in the south of Germany was probably responsible for the construction of the model.
The lens of the Porst 135 BS is fixed. The name of the lens is “Color-Spezial C 2,8/40 mm”. The maximum aperture is f/2.8 with a focal length of 40 mm. The metal camera does not have an autofocus function. The focus is adjusted by hand.
The camera has a built-in light meter. More precisely, it is a selenium light meter. This works without batteries, but can lose accuracy over the years. The light meter was designed for films with a sensitivity of ISO 25 to ISO 400.
A Bulb setting is available on the Porst 135 BS. This keeps the shutter open as desired. You can only use this setting if you have a cable release in use.
An external flash can be fired via the built-in hot shoe. A thread for a tripod is installed on the underside of the camera body. According to the manual, the 35mm camera does not need batteries and works completely mechanically.
Films for the Porst 135 BS
What kind of films are needed for the Porst 135 BS? You have to buy 35mm films for the camera. These films are still being manufactured and can be specified by almost any developing vendor. A good film for color photos is the Kodak Ektar 100*.
Color film is a color negative film and is developed using the C-41 process. This development process is available at almost every photo lab. Most drugstore chains in Germany offer the development of color films.
With the size of the exposure range, 36 photos usually fit on a normal film (135-36). The film is rewound manually in the camera.
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 | 1/300 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 |
| Company name of the brand | Photo Porst |
| Manufacturer | King |
FAQ about the Porst 135 BS
Is this camera automatic or manual?
The Porst 135 BS is a fully manual camera. It doesn't have autofocus; you adjust the focus yourself. Even the exposure is set manually using the built-in light meter.
What kind of film does this camera take?
It uses standard 35mm film. These are readily available from most photo suppliers. You can fit 36 exposures on a standard roll.
Does the camera need batteries?
No, the Porst 135 BS doesn't require batteries. It's a completely mechanical camera, relying on a selenium light meter for exposure.
How do I use a flash with this camera?
It has a hot shoe, allowing you to connect and fire an external flash. Remember that you'll need to set the exposure manually.
Can I use a tripod with this little camera?
Yes, there's a tripod mount on the bottom of the camera body. This makes it easier to take long exposures using the bulb setting.