How to Tell If a Film Camera Works: A Checklist for Old Film Cameras

Whether you’re buying second-hand film cameras or inheriting old cameras from family or friends, you can conduct a quick check to find out if a film camera works and is in good condition. The checklist below offers some tips for assessing a film camera by examining each of its parts.

1. Test the Camera Shutter

• First, open the back of the camera and check for any obvious defects inside.
• To test whether the film camera is working, fire the shutter a few times both in normal and bulb mode and make sure it fires and advances smoothly. The shutter should stay open as long as desired.
• Check that the shutter blades are not warped or overlapping, and inspect for any scratches or damage.
• Look for any signs of rust which may damage or impair the shutter functioning, or indicate the camera has been stored in a humid environment.

2. Check the Camera Lens

• Look for any scratches or marks visible on the lens.
• Check carefully for lens fungus, which may resemble a white, spider-web-like mark. If present, the lens will need to be cleaned and stored separately to prevent it spreading or contaminating other gear.
• Ensure that the grease lubricant for the aperture blades has not leaked, as this will also impair the camera’s functioning.
• Check the aperture and shutter speed dials are in good condition by moving them smoothly.

3. Examine the Viewfinder and Light Meter

• Now check other parts of the camera such as the viewfinder to see if there are any issues such as scratches or dust.
• If the camera has a built-in light meter, point it to different spots, and the light meter should adjust depending on the varying amounts of light. You can also make comparisons with working cameras or a light meter app to check for accuracy.

4. Check for General Camera Body Damage

• Test out the film advance lever and rewind crank to make sure they don’t jam.
• If the camera’s batteries have been left in for a long period of time in poor storage conditions, battery acid corrosion or damage to the camera may have occurred and should also be inspected.
• Light traps on the camera’s edges are essential for preventing light leaks on film. If the light seals are not fully intact, they should be repaired or replaced.
• Turn any manual dials or controls to check they function smoothly and haven’t been affected by age or rust.

You can read more about checking the working condition of an old or vintage film camera on our Magazine and watch the video below for a quick visual guide to checking and identifying a camera’s condition:

If you already own or have purchased a broken camera, don’t despair! Check out our guide on how to get a broken film camera repaired.