Old slr camera - how to check is working? - PhotoCamel

smithey · 03-14-2008

Hi everyone,

Joined this forum as I thought someone could help me with a problem. I just inherited an old slr 35mm camera from the 80's and wondered whether there was anyway I could check it still worked without putting a film through it?

The lenses seem fine and clean and the camera itself seems to make all the right movements but when I look at the shutter it only releases for a split second. Surely for longer exposure times it should stay open longer?

But then again I am not familar with slrs so forgive me for being naive!!

thanks

notsotechie · 03-14-2008

Welcome AboardThe Camel Photo
can you tell us what kind of camera it is.
if it sound fine then no need to worry
as for a longer expouser leave the lens on and then the apture to a larger number such as f22
as for the speed In not sure how it is work as we don't know what make is the camera.
Cheers

smithey · 03-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by notsotechie

Welcome AboardThe Camel Photo
can you tell us what kind of camera it is.
if it sound fine then no need to worry
as for a longer expouser leave the lens on and then the apture to a larger number such as f22
as for the speed In not sure how it is work as we don't know what make is the camera.
Cheers

Hi thanks for your reply. The camera is a Praktica BC1 made in 1985.
I guess I'll have to do a test run really to see how well it does work

notsotechie · 03-14-2008

I guess so good luck hope the camera still has all it's charm.
post back soon.
Cheers

AnthroFox · 03-15-2008

I bought my 35mm SLR from a pawn shop a month ago with no way of checking it until I took it to my college (photography student), bought film, took my photos and processed the film to check to see if it worked. It does and it works beautifully. Better then the newer 35mm camera you can rent from my college. My camera is also an 80s model.

My suggestion would be to buy a roll of film, take photos, and see the results. Also listen to make sure everything sounds correct.

Good luck!!! Hope it still works!

smithey · 03-15-2008

Hi, I think the camera works perfectly actually!
I think the problem was that the battery I had inserted was a dud one so I put a new one in and it works a treat.

Thanks for the replies

Mr. Pickles · 03-15-2008

So now all you need to do is get the pictures developed onto a CD or digitized...and post a few here.

Nobody will beat you up over it and it always helps to keep the film flame flickering.....

Paht6 · 03-15-2008

Welcome aboard. Post some photos.

03-14-2008	#1 (permalink)
smithey Alpaca Posts: 3 CamelKarma: 10 Gallery \| Blog	Old slr camera - how to check is working? Hi everyone, Joined this forum as I thought someone could help me with a problem. I just inherited an old slr 35mm camera from the 80's and wondered whether there was anyway I could check it still worked without putting a film through it? The lenses seem fine and clean and the camera itself seems to make all the right movements but when I look at the shutter it only releases for a split second. Surely for longer exposure times it should stay open longer? But then again I am not familar with slrs so forgive me for being naive!! thanks __________________ __________________ Members don't see this ad. Register your free account today and become a member on PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Community, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more.
smithey Alpaca Posts: 3 CamelKarma: 10 Gallery \| Blog

03-14-2008	#2 (permalink)
notsotechie Dromedary Location: Calgary-Alberta Posts: 1,542 CamelKarma: 271 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: Old slr camera - how to check is working? Welcome AboardThe Camel Photo can you tell us what kind of camera it is. if it sound fine then no need to worry as for a longer expouser leave the lens on and then the apture to a larger number such as f22 as for the speed In not sure how it is work as we don't know what make is the camera. Cheers
	__________________ Have A Great Day Body Canon Rebel XTI - And a bag full of goodies.

03-14-2008	#4 (permalink)
notsotechie Dromedary Location: Calgary-Alberta Posts: 1,542 CamelKarma: 271 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: Old slr camera - how to check is working? I guess so good luck hope the camera still has all it's charm. post back soon. Cheers
	__________________ Have A Great Day Body Canon Rebel XTI - And a bag full of goodies.

03-15-2008	#5 (permalink)
AnthroFox Vicuna Location: Victorville, California Posts: 83 CamelKarma: 14 Gallery \| Blog	Re: Old slr camera - how to check is working? I bought my 35mm SLR from a pawn shop a month ago with no way of checking it until I took it to my college (photography student), bought film, took my photos and processed the film to check to see if it worked. It does and it works beautifully. Better then the newer 35mm camera you can rent from my college. My camera is also an 80s model. My suggestion would be to buy a roll of film, take photos, and see the results. Also listen to make sure everything sounds correct. Good luck!!! Hope it still works!
	__________________ Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W100 Minolta X-700 35mm Minolta 50mm f/1.7 Nikon D60 -Mainly doing darkroom work right now-

03-15-2008	#6 (permalink)
smithey Alpaca Posts: 3 CamelKarma: 10 Gallery \| Blog	Re: Old slr camera - how to check is working? Hi, I think the camera works perfectly actually! I think the problem was that the battery I had inserted was a dud one so I put a new one in and it works a treat. Thanks for the replies
smithey Alpaca Posts: 3 CamelKarma: 10 Gallery \| Blog

03-15-2008	#7 (permalink)
Mr. Pickles Camel Breath Location: Old Folks Home Posts: 11,310 CamelKarma: 2448 Gallery \| Blog	Re: Old slr camera - how to check is working? So now all you need to do is get the pictures developed onto a CD or digitized...and post a few here. Nobody will beat you up over it and it always helps to keep the film flame flickering.....
	__________________ Idiot Savant AND trouble-maker... What's Camel Karma? Posting Images Tutorial

03-15-2008	#8 (permalink)
Paht6 Dromedary Location: Central IL Posts: 1,013 CamelKarma: 217 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: Old slr camera - how to check is working? Welcome aboard. Post some photos. __________________ __________________ Members don't see this ad. Register your free account today and become a member on PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Community, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
1st day with an SLR camera My friends twins :0	leaderzzz	Black-and-White	3	11-14-2007 04:56 PM
The New Reality - You're going to have to check your camera gear as luggage	dougjgreen	Photography Talk	72	08-20-2006 03:21 PM
1st day with an SLR camera EVER!	leaderzzz	Portraits / People	4	07-23-2006 11:40 AM
Improvements to SLR camera design digital makes possible	scoundrel1728	Photography Talk	8	11-13-2005 09:17 PM