The Porst SE 18 is a rangefinder camera. It was manufactured in Japan by a company based in Tokyo. There a similar model was sold under the name “Taron Auto EE“.
The camera is comes with a lens with a fixed focal length. The focal length of the lens is 45 mm. The maximum aperture is f/1.8. The model does not available an autofocus function. The focus is set manually. The rangefinder can determine whether the subject is sharp or not. The minimum distance to the subject must be 90 cm.
The camera has a built-in light meter. It was designed for work with films with a ISO of 10 to 400. The aperture and shutter speed can be freely set by the photographer.
Bulb mode is available for long exposures. An optional external flash can be used via the provided PC flash socket. A tripod can be attached to the Porst SE 18. A cable release can also be used with the camera. In addition, the self-timer can be used to take pictures.
The dimensions of the 35mm camera are 13,5 x 9,2 x 7,5 cm. At this size her weight is 750 grams. The power supply is provided by one PX625 battery (eBay / Amazon*).
Films for the Porst SE 18
The Porst SE 18 exposes 35mm film. Films of this format are still easy to get today and are still being developed. A good choice for color and black-and-white pictures is the Kodak Gold 200* and the Ilford XP2 Super*.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Rangefinder camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Focal length | 45 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/1.8 |
| Focus | Manual |
| Rangefinder | Yes |
| Exposure times | 1/500 second to 1 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | CdS light meter |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 10 to 400 |
| Exposure modes | Shutter priority, Manual mode |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | No |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | PC-Flash |
| Flash sync speed | 1/30 s |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Power supply | 1x PX625 battery |
| Size | 13,5 x 9,2 x 7,5 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.31 x 3.62 x 2.95 inches |
| Weight | 750 Grams |
| Company name of the brand | Photo Porst |
| Manufacturer | Taron |
| Company name of the manufacturer | Nippon Kōsokki Seisakusho / Taron LTD |
FAQ about the Porst SE 18
Is the Porst SE 18 a simple camera to use?
Yes, it's fairly straightforward. It's a rangefinder camera with manual focus and manual exposure settings. While it lacks autofocus, the simplicity makes it easy to learn.
What kind of lens does this camera have?
The Porst SE 18 has a fixed 45mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.8. This is a standard lens, good for general photography.
Can I use a flash with the camera?
Yes, it has a PC flash sync socket for connecting an external flash. This allows you to use flash photography in low-light conditions.
What type of film does the little camera use?
It uses standard 35mm film, which is widely available. Both color and black and white films are compatible.
How big and heavy is the rangefinder?
The dimensions are 13.5 x 9.2 x 7.5 cm and it weighs 750 grams. It's a relatively compact and reasonably lightweight 35mm camera.