Porst compact-reflex

Porst compact-reflex with Porst Color Reflex Auto MC 1.4/55 G

 

My first "modern" M42-SLR from Porst, the Porst compact-reflex, which is Cosina CSM. This copy is only named compact-reflex, but there many cameras with a further identifier, like S, SP, AM, OC, OCN, OE, OS, OV and probably some more. It would be painful to assign those cameras to the specific Cosina model, but I think the camera above and the S/SP have M42 thread mount, the others Pentax K-mount.

 

For sure it is no high-end camera, but it's fine. Full electronical shutter from 4 s to 1/1000 s and one mechanical time, 1/50 s. The self-timer also looks mechanical but it works completely electronically, you can't cock it until the shutter is cocked or in position "B", and it is combined with a mirror lock-up. Viewfinder with split-screen and illuminated under/over indicator for exposure metering. Yes, the metering is a bit different compared with other cameras, where you have to stop down for metering with a DOF-button which also switches the meter on. When you press the shutter button half-way on this camera, the aperture closes and the meter is switched on. If you release the shutter again, the meter is switched off, but the aperture stay closed. If you want to open the aperture again, you have to press the silver "aperture release button" next to the lens. It's easy to confuse this button with a DOF-button. It's a clever operation, better than the one on some old Chinon cameras, where you have to close the aperture with the force of your finger via the shutter buttton.

 

Done